Page 109 of Eternal Surrender

“We’re not comfortable with you cycling through London.”

“Oh.”

“Blame Alex. It was his idea.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank him,” I replied.

“But he did crush my bike.”

“Well, I could say we’ll replace it. But we won’t.” I pointed to the teacup. “What kind of impression am I meant to be making exactly?”

He shrugged. “We’ve only got one mug.”

“Why can’t I have that?”

“It’s not like you’re actually going to be drinking from it. Anyway, the inspector’s got it.”

Ingrid strolled in, her hands wrapped around the mug as though drawing warmth from its heat. I threw Sebastian an annoyed frown for not warning me.

He acknowledged my silent criticism. “That’s for my bike.” He headed out and edged passed Ingrid.

“An art gallery?” she asked. “You never fail to surprise me.”

I pointed to the chair. “You’ve spoken with Blake?”

She gestured she wanted to stand. “We argued. He hung up. I’ve left him several messages.”

“Try to see it from his perspective, Ingrid.”

“As opposed to whose, yours?” She saw the map. “What’s that?”

I tucked it away in the desk side drawer.

“Don’t make Blake into what you are.”

“Denial is a dish served with spaghetti bolognese and a nice glass of wine.”

“Are you asking me out?”

“Are you asking me out?” I mirrored. “Sure, it’ll be fun.”

She gave a suspicious frown. “Sebastian makes lovely tea. What else does he do for you?”

“You mentioned something about an investigation on the phone? Didn’t say anything about popping in.”

She pulled the chair out and sat. “There was an incident at the British Museum.” She hovered the mug over the desk. “Do you have a coaster?”

“We need a new desk anyway.” I beamed a smile.

She hesitated, set the mug down and then said, “There was a break in.”

“I see.”

She looked tense. “My case has no evidence.”

“Surveillance cameras?”