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“How could I? He was a blank page as far as I was concerned. How many times do I have to tell you? One moment I’d never seen him before, and the next he was following me and putting his hands on me.

Was I supposed to meekly bow my head and let him do it?

People like that think they can get away with anything if you don’t fight back.

My father taught me that, and he made sure that I was able to do it in the most efficient way possible.

There was nothing wrong with him doing that. ”

“Shh.” He reached out and touched her hand. “No offense. I just thought that there might be something that you’d forgotten to tell us. I’ve read your dossier, and your father seems to have been an exceptional man.”

“A dossier?” she said. “I don’t have a criminal record. Where did you get that?”

“I have connections.”

“Obviously, but you’re not a cop. The Breitling wristwatch you’re wearing tells me that. Who are you?”

“Someone who wants to help you. As for your father, he taught you well; you should be very proud.”

“You’re damn right.” She reached up and rubbed her temple before she added wearily, “But what he couldn’t teach me was that there would always be choices I’d have to make. I made one that night, and Barnaby is dead.”

“Choices?”

“During that last minute I was trying to decide whether to run toward the subway or back to the art studio. I chose to go back to the studio. If I hadn’t, Barnaby wouldn’t have been involved at all.

” She shuddered. “And he wouldn’t be down in that morgue, he’d be home with Judy and his children.

So it is partly my fault that all this happened. ”

“Bullshit,” Dominic said. “You were making perfectly good sense until you came up with this nonsense. I’m going to assume it’s just shock and that you’ll be back to semi-normal behavior in no time.

But don’t expect me to accept it. I came here to get information that will get me to Jossland, and neither of us have the time to waste on self-pity. ”

Celine stared at him in shock. Then she blinked, and her lips curved in the faintest smile. “I’ll remember that. I’m glad you made your position clear. And I promise you, no more self-pity.”

“Perhaps I could tolerate a small amount of it,” he said. “As long as you don’t mind me warning you not to let it get in the way.”

Celine shrugged. “You’ll have to take what you can get. I may just tell you to go to hell. But you’re very… unusual.”

“So you may allow me to stay around for a while?”

“Until I decide if you’re trying to manipulate me. I don’t like people who do that.” She shook her head. “But right now I think I may need you. You said you went down to the morgue when you first got here. Can you take me down there right now?”

“I don’t see why not,” he said. “Tell me why?”

“I don’t want Barnaby to be alone down there tonight.” She shuddered. “I want to tell him that we’ll never stop until we find the person who did this to him. I want him to know that I was there for him, and I don’t care how he looks.”

“You realize that’s not at all reasonable, Miss Kelly.”

“It’s Celine. And I don’t care if anyone thinks I’m reasonable or not.

What do we really know about life or death?

What if he somehow did know? I’m not going to take the chance.

Will you see that they let me in to see him?

I’m studying to be a doctor. I promise I’m not going to scream or faint on you. ”

“I didn’t think you would.” He was taking her jacket and wrapping it around her before fastening it.

“They keep it pretty cool down there. I just want to make sure you’ll be warm enough.

” He took her arm and led her toward the elevators.

“Stay as long as you want. I’ll be there to make sure no one bothers you.

I wouldn’t want you to have to get in a brawl with any of the staff. Okay?”

“I’ll try to restrain myself.” She barely heard him, but she was grateful for the strength of his grip on her arm as she watched him punch the button for the morgue.

I’m coming, Barnaby. Somehow I’ll find a way to help. You’re not alone.

FOUR HOURS LATER

“Time to leave now, Celine?” Dominic asked as he watched her stiffly get to her feet. “The M.E.’s will be grateful. They’ve been pretty patient, but I’m afraid they don’t quite understand your philosophy. And you look as if you’re so exhausted that you’re close to passing out yourself.”

She shook her head. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m okay.” She was heading toward the elevator. “I was just sad… and angry. So very angry.”

“I could see that you were. But do you feel any better now?”

“No, all I feel is more determined.” She didn’t speak again until they were walking down the steps of the precinct to the parking lot.

It was almost dawn, and she found herself studying him.

Until this moment she had only been aware of Dominic as the man who could help her fight against the rules so that she could stay with Barnaby during this last night.

She’d been vaguely aware that he’d brought her a cup of coffee twice; once, he’d taken her hand when he’d noticed it was shaking.

Now she could see he looked to be in his middle or late thirties, and she noticed the weathered tan of his skin, his gray-green eyes, and the single streak of white that threaded his dark hair.

He was dressed casually, but his shirt and trousers were beautifully tailored and undoubtedly expensive.

She was sure none of the other detectives at the precinct wore clothes like that, and she gave him another searching glance as she added sharply, “Along with a strong dash of curiosity about you that I intend to have satisfied. There are a lot of things that make me uneasy about you, Dominic.”

“By all means, I could see that coming. I even left a trail of breadcrumbs leading to the witch’s castle, but you’re not in any condition now to cross-examine me.

Take my word that I’m a fairly tough nut to crack, and you’ll be better off if you get a long nap and face me later.

” They had stopped beside a black limousine; a tall, dark-skinned man got out, opening the passenger door and giving her a warm smile.

“And since the Boston Police Department have put you in my hands for the time being, I don’t like the idea of sending you back to the apartment you share with those other models to keep you safe while you get that rest that you need.

This is Sam Rashid, who works for me, Celine.

He’s going to take you to a very fine hotel where you’ll be secure and very well fed, if I remember correctly.

” He turned back to Rashid. “This is Celine Kelly. Take no chances with her. Keep her safe, and don’t let her skip out on you because she thinks she can take better care of herself than you can. Understand?”

He nodded. “No problem.”

Dominic turned back to Celine. “Get that rest, and I promise we’ll have a long talk when I meet you at the hotel later today.

But don’t think you can squeeze any answers from Rashid.

Though you may be his greatest challenge to date.

” He stepped back and tipped his hand to his brow in a salute.

“It’s been a unique experience, Celine. I look forward to dinner. ”

He turned and walked away.