Quick Fix by Linda Grimes Read Free Book Online Page A

in her current incarnation.”
    “Can’t you just tell this friend to run along? A friend would understand that things come up.” One of his bimbos, on the other hand, might not be so accommodating.
    “I also have a job scheduled. I won’t be able to ape-sit—sorry, Moll—after tomorrow.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about that. I can help you look after Molly for a few days.”
    “Don’t you have a client to take care of?” he said.
    “Nope. I called to check on Mr. Brown—you’ll be happy to know he didn’t die—and he assured me Thelma will have her position. I’ve already relayed the news to her. She couldn’t be happier. So it appears I’m all yours,” I said. Sweetly, of course.
    *   *   *
    Mark showed up right after James left to catch the next available shuttle back to New York to begin his preparations. Thomas had already gone back to work. Billy and I were packing.
    “How’s Molly? Did James figure her out?” Mark asked first thing.
    “Still orange and furry. We’re heading back so he can work on her in his lab,” Billy said.
    “Taking your car?” Mark said with a ghost of a grin.
    “Ha ha. Yes, we are. Unless you’d care to take her in yours? I’ll throw in Ciel, if that’ll sweeten the deal.”
    “Hey!” I slapped his arm with the back of my hand.
    Mark laughed. “Sorry, bud, you’re on your own. But I can recommend a good Manhattan car wash.”
    Billy gave him a sour look. “You are kindness itself. Hope you don’t need me for anything—looks like I’ll be busy for the next few days.”
    Molly joined us before Mark could respond, dragging the backpack she’d been cramming with her currently unnecessary clothing behind her. When she saw Mark, she let go of the pack and climbed into his arms, grinning big and hugging his neck.
    “Hello to you, too, Molly,” Mark said, patting her back. “Hope you’re enjoying all this monkeying around while you can, because James is going to have you back to normal in no time.”
    Molly nodded enthusiastically. I was glad to see her adjusting to her situation, but hoped she didn’t get too comfortable with her new form. The thing about projecting auras is, once you have the energy, it’s always there within your reach. It could be awkward if Molly decided it would be fun to liven up future school functions with impromptu zoology lessons.
    Mark put down Molly. “Billy, can I talk to you for a second?”
    “Sure, come on up with me. I have a few more things to get from the guest room. Ciel, keep an eye on the munchkin?”
    I nodded, curious, but I was used to the guys disappearing to plot their next job together. “Come on, Molls, let’s go pack some car snacks.”
    Billy cut me a look. “No junk,” he said, his voice full of threat.
    I smiled sweetly at him. “Would I do that to you?”
    *   *   *
    Mark left after his brief meeting with Billy, with only a “try to keep the girls out of trouble” for Billy and hair ruffles for Molly and me. Apparently things were back to the status quo with him. Just as well, since it appeared I was about to embark on some sort of (probably really ill-advised) romantic adventure with Billy.
    I’d gone upstairs right after them to, um, get something I forgot to pack, pausing at the door to the guest room. (Okay, so curiosity won. There are valid reasons for eavesdropping, and I happen to think making sure the two guys currently driving me crazy weren’t discussing me is a damn good one.) Thirty seconds of “the Agency” this and “the Agency” that was enough to tell me it was boring old business, and I’d gone back downstairs. With my spare toothbrush. You can never pack too many toothbrushes.
    I stuck to Billy like glitter on glue while we finished getting ready for the trip. No way was I going to give him an opportunity to eject his latest inamorata without me in earshot of the phone conversation. If I was going to be involved with him, I at least wanted to go in with my eyes open.