He nodded, his eyes sharp. “Yes. He is not a good man. I believe he has ties to one of those motorcycle gangs.”
Ah. Here we go. “I see. Which gang?” I asked.
Barensky leaned forward. “The Lordes. It was my understanding that the Lordes were disbanded because of drug and gun problems, but he still rides a motorcycle and wears a leather jacket with the Lordes logo on it. I’m afraid of him, but I love my flowers. They’re all I have.”
I set down the pen. “I love flowers, too. Unfortunately, I can’t represent you, Mr. Smith.” I tried to look properly sad about that.
“Why not?” He fumbled in his jacket and drew out a worn brown leather wallet. “I can pay a retainer.”
I tried to smile, but my lips refused to cooperate. “I have a conflict because I used to date a Lordes’ member.” We really needed to get a conflict check into place with Oliver before Clark or I met with clients. Not that it would’ve helped in this case. Barensky was fishing for information. “I can recommend several good attorneys in town.”
Barensky replaced his wallet in his pocket. “You said you used to date a gang member?”
“I believe they’re calledclubmembers,” I said quietly, my hand lightly resting on the drawer pull. “Even though the relationship ended a while ago, I still did have one with a Lordes’ member, so I can’t represent you. It’s unfortunate.”
He shook his head. “Well, at least tell me what you know. Are they dangerous? Should I be afraid of my neighbor?”
My shoulders relaxed a fraction. I might be in an enclosed space with a sociopath who liked fire and explosions, but he was just looking for information. “Who’s your neighbor?”
“His name sounds like Blade or something like that. I have tried to stay out of his way.” Barensky wiped a hand down his face. “Please give me advice, even if it isn’t legal advice.”
“The Lordes are dangerous,” I said. If nothing else, maybe I could shore up Aiden’s reputation. “I know a bunch of members went to prison for running drugs, and then more were arrested on some gun charges. How many of them are even left? Maybe twenty?” I shook my head. “That’s not many members. Hopefully they don’t have any way to make money now and will leave the area. Wouldn’t that be ideal for you?”
He smiled, showing yellowed teeth. The guy must smoke. “That would be perfect. If you don’t mind my asking, why did you end the relationship?”
I did mind him asking, but I tried to hide my emotions and sighed instead. “We were too different. I didn’t realize the crimes the Lordes were committing, and I’m a lawyer, and everything just fizzled. It was a clean break.” Then I pretended to catch myself. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be talking about personal matters.”
Sweat trickled down my back and between my breasts, and my hands tingled. Adrenaline and fear combined into a metallic taste in my mouth.
This innocuous looking guy was terrifying. He stood and edged back to the door. “I’m sorry you can’t be my lawyer. I like you.”
I smiled. “Ditto.”
Then I sat there, unable to move. He left and shut the door, and all I could do for several moments was sit. My hand shaking, I called Oliver at the front desk.
“Hey, Anna,” he answered.
“Hi.” My voice trembled. “Is Mr. Smith gone?”
Papers shuffled across the line. “Yeah. He left right away and said it was nice to meet me. Why?”
“Just asking.” I hung up and immediately dialed Aiden.
“Yo,” he answered, engines revving in the background.
I tried to speak, but nothing came out. I tried again. “Barensky was just here.”
Silence slammed heavily over the phone. “What did you say?”
I repeated myself.
Aiden burst into a spate of Gaelic that was even scarier than being in the room with Barensky. “Where are you, and are you safe?”
“I’m in my office, and I’m safe,” I said, my voice cracking this time. “I have a gun. He’s gone. He was just investigating you and the Lordes, I think. There were those newspaper articles about me, and it’s known that we dated. I assume he was just gathering intel.” Now that I’d started talking, I couldn’t stop. “He was old and seemed normal, but he has beady eyes. I couldn’t tell if he was armed.”
“Where’s Kurt?” Aiden asked.
As if on cue, Kurt poked his head into the office. I motioned for him to come inside, and he did so.
