Merry worried her upper lip. “Jason, what are we going to do with her?”
“We?” he asked. “She’s my problem.”
“Well, yes, but she seems intent on destroying my reputation too. Unless you don’t think a nurse’s reputation counts.”
“Of course it does.” He looked pensive. “Can you get my key, so we can take her up to my place? It would be harder for her to escape through a window from the fourth floor. Besides,” he looked down at himself. “I need some clothes—again.”
Once in Jason’s apartment, an uncomfortable silence passed between Merry and Lila while he dressed, hurriedly. When he emerged from his bedroom, Lila was sitting in his comfy chair. Merry stood in front of her with her arms crossed.
“Can I have something to drink, please? Something strong?” Lila asked with surprising politeness.
Jason frowned. “First of all, get out of my chair. You can sit on the couch.”
While she moved, he looked at Merry. “What’s your opinion on giving her alcohol?”
Merry sighed. “Well, we don’t want her to go into withdrawal. If it’s been a few hours since her last drink, she might. Who knows how long she was lurking outside the building.”
Jason sat in his chair and nodded.
“Hey, you sound as if you think I’m an alcoholic.”
“Aren’t you?” Merry asked. “Your bartender friend seemed to think so.”
“Kevin? He’d never say that. Besides, he’s not my friend anymore.”
Casually, Merry said, “Really? Then I guess you don’t need a drink and can do without one now.”
“Damn straight. I can take it or leave it. I—I’d just prefer to take it.”
“Prefer to or need to?” Merry asked. “I need to know how to keep you safe.”
“Don’t you dare diagnose me!”
Merry shrugged. “Fine. No drinks then. Why don’t you tell us why you’re doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Trying to ruin my reputation,” Jason said. “And possibly my relationship with my future fiancée.” He frowned and waited.
She smirked. “Futurefiancée, huh?”
Merry sat on the arm of his chair. “No matter what you print, I’m not going to believe it, by the way.”
Lila shrugged. “Whatever. I report what I see, and I’ve seen some weird shit around here. Why wouldn’t I report it? Give me one good reason.”
“Because it’s destructive.”
“Hmm… Nope. That’s not enough. Perhaps I should have said, give meseventy-five thousandgood reasons.”
Merry leaned forward. “Was that a bribe? Why, you brain-damaged, parasitic…”
Jason put his hand on Merry’s arm. “Stop. I’ll pay it.”
She sat up straight. “You’re kidding!”
Jason held Lila’s gaze. “The money comes with certain conditions, though.”
“I’m interested. Keep talking.”
