Page 17 of Hallow Hill at Halloween: Part One

“I assume so.”

“Well, sure. That’s fine. I’ll be ready. Wonder what this is about. He never discusses cases with me. He’s always left it entirely in my hands unless I ask for advice.”

“Didn’t say.”

“Well, no. He wouldn’t, would he?” Keir chuckled. “What?” I demanded.

“Nothing. I’ve just noticed that sometimes your speech has developed the cadence and syntax of English.”

“I speak English, Keir.”

“I know that’s what Americans call it, Rita. But you take my meaning.”

“So, are you saying you like it or you don’t like it?

“What?”

“That sometimes I sound more English. I mean that’s what I hear. It’s only natural.”

Before I knew we were changing the subject, Keir had gathered me into a secure embrace and leaned into my face. “I like everything about you. And you know it.”

I was staring at his beautiful mouth when I said, “I…”

“The Lion Sleeps Tonight” caused me to jerk back to the reality of Legendary Lunch being mere minutes away. I pulled back just as Olivia came rushing in looking flushed but victorious. Whatever we were having smelled heavenly with or without the target of her quest.

“Duty calls,” I said. On my way through the living room I made a mental note to change the doorbell tune. It was a joke that was only good for two or three rings.

Lochlan stood looking dignified in his handsome but out-of-style clothes. By that I mean out of style for over a hundred years. He also had under his arm a small, but old leather file.

“Greetings, Clerk.” I stepped aside to give him entry.

“Afternoon, Magistrate.” I hadn’t noticed that Keir had followed me until Lochlan’s eyes shifted to something behind me. “Afternoon, Enforcer.”

I turned to confirm that Keir was right behind me. Why I don’t know. Kitty paws.

“Must be serious if we’re being addressed by titles,” Keir said.

“As a matter of fact, I would like to share with both of you.” His eyes shifted to me. “With your permission, of course. It could, within reasonable expectation, affect Keir Culain as well.”

I looked at Keir. “Uh oh. Titlesandlast names.”

He nodded. “I heard. Must be grave.”

“Keir, my darling, humans have a serious aversion to the word grave.”

“Of course,” he said. “My mistake. Let me amend that toserious.”

“Yes,” Lochlan affirmed.

I sighed and gestured toward the study. “You know the way.”

I stopped at the kitchen to ask Olivia to make tea, wishing she had Evie’s Starbucks skills.

Since I’d never planned to have more than one guest in my study at a time, these was only one chair besides my own, and that was the huge, comfy red leather chair with matching ottoman affectionately called my “nap chair”. Keir had pushed the ottoman aside and offered the no-longer-my-nap-haven to Lochlan. Always resourceful, he’d retrieved a third chair from the kitchen for himself.

“Shall I close the door?” he asked.

Shaking my head, I said, “Olivia will be here with tea any second.”