“Then it appears you’re running out of scenarios for me to indulge in my wicked nature,” he said mockingly. “Where did you find out all this about me?”
“The Internet. And I have a few friends who have buddies in high places. Not to mention those who wallow in low places.” She stopped as she reached his car. “I don’t have your advantage with access to all those databases and stuff.”
“They haven’t done me much good … yet.”
“But you’re still hopeful. I like that about you, Nalchek. Hope is a wonderful thing.”
He opened the car door. “So we’ve both drawn a blank.”
“Not me.” She got into the car. “When I become confused about direction, all I do is go back to the beginning.”
“And where is that?”
She looked out the window at the forest. “Back there. Whatever you’re hiding is back there.”
He got into the driver’s seat but didn’t turn on the ignition.
Had she gone too far?
He looked straight ahead. “I’d like to know how you made a guess like that.”
She could feel his tension. Very dangerous moment. She should be afraid. But she wasn’t: excitement, anticipation, curiosity—no fear. Did that mean that he was no threat?
No. The threat was there, but it didn’t mean that she couldn’t handle it.
“How do you think?” she said lightly. “My friends aren’t only the two-legged variety. But that shouldn’t worry you since you have a healthy skepticism for any connection I have with them. And how could Sajan possibly tell me anything that might hurt you?”
“Skepticism doesn’t preclude curiosity.” He still hadn’t started the car. “Why don’t you want to tell me what you think I’m hiding?”
“Because you’re very intense. If I struck too close to home, you might have to make a decision.”
“And as long as I don’t know, I can just coast along and not worry?” He shook his head, and said roughly, “Margaret, you’re a fool. You can’t be that na?ve. You shouldn’t have said anything at all if you thought I was a possible threat. Instead, you put yourself in a vulnerable position, then decide to tell me that I might have reason to remove you.”
“I’m always vulnerable,” she said simply. “Though I’ve been trying to correct that lately. But I have to work with what I have. I have intelligence and instincts and judgment. I never let myself get in a situation that my judgment says I can’t get out of. Of course, there are triggers that can change everything.”
“Like an unexpected decision that might cause an explosion.”
“Or might not. I like to avoid having to worry about it.” She looked him in the eye. “May we go now?”
“Nervous?”
He mustn’t go down that path. Nervousness was too close to fear. And fear could be looked upon with suspicion. Red herring. Distraction. “A little, but it’s more excitement, I think. It’s just that Eve said that she had to get back to the hospital and wanted to see me.”
He didn’t move. “Excitement?”
“You know. Sex.” She smiled. “I feel very sexual whenever I’m around you. They call it chemistry, but I’ve always thought of sex as basic and primitive.”
“I … see.”
“Oh, did I make you feel awkward? It’s not as if I’m making a move on you. I know I’m not your type.”
“Oh, do you? Dark, leggy, and sophisticated. Isn’t that what you said?”
She nodded. “That’s right, and anyway, the sex urge isn’t always reciprocal regardless of appeal. And the initial excitement can vanish as quickly as it comes.”
“Stop talking about sex.”
“Of course. I only wanted to explain that—”