Red Angel by Helen Harper Read Free Book Online Page B

keep my head down as I enter. Fortunately, D’Argneau has had the foresight to sit in the dark corner at the back rather than his usual spot at the bar. I sidle over to him, grab a stool and position it so my back is to the door. It makes it harder to react in the event of danger but at least I can keep my face turned away from the other punters.
    Unfortunately D’Argneau has other ideas. He grins at me, holding up his phone and snapping a photo before I can react.
    ‘Sodding hell! What did you do that for?’
    ‘It’s pretty obvious, isn’t it? People will flock to my door when they hear that the Red Angel is one of my clients.’
    I grit my teeth. ‘I’m not your client. I just need a little help.’
    ‘Same same.’ He waves a hand in the air. ‘Let me do a selfie of the pair of us and I’ll keep this consult free of charge.’
    I eye him warily. ‘Where are you going to put the photo?’
    ‘In my office. It’ll impress new clients.’ He gives me a pleading, hangdog look.
    I sigh. ‘Fine.’
    In a flash, he’s by my side, holding the phone at arm’s length. After five shots, I push him away. ‘How is business anyway?’
    ‘Great!’ There’s a smarmy edge to his voice that I choose to ignore. ‘You are looking at the official human legal representative for the Stuart Family. It’s only in name right now, of course. They’ve decided to go all out with the whole pretending to be friendly to humans thing. But I reckon I can persuade them to use me in reality.’
    ‘Don’t they have plenty of lawyers of their own?’
    ‘Sure. None of them have my skills though.’ He flips back his tawny hair.
    ‘Speaking of those skills…’
    ‘Of course, of course. What can I do for you, Bo? No request is too great.’
    ‘I need a time bubble.’
    D’Argneau visibly deflates. ‘It can’t be done.’
    ‘You said no request was too great.’
    ‘I didn’t know that was what you wanted! I thought you were after a media lawyer! Book rights, publicity contracts, that kind of thing.’
    ‘Time bubble,’ I repeat firmly. ‘That’s what I need.’
    ‘I have contacts at Penguin. I’m sure they’d be thrilled…’
    ‘Harry,’ I say warningly.
    He rolls his eyes. ‘They’re illegal, Bo. You must know that. The government rushed through legislation after Matheson did his thing.’
    I raise my eyebrows. ‘Did his thing? You mean raped and murdered several daemons, vampires, witches and humans? That thing?’ I’m starting to remember why I find D’Argneau so annoying.
    ‘You know what I mean. No one can get hold of time bubbles, not any more. Even those live-forever companies have had to give up theirs. They’ve all gone bust as a result.’
    I lean forward. ‘But it’s thanks to me that Matheson was caught. Perhaps they’ll make an exception.’
    ‘I’m sure they’d love to but they can’t and they won’t.’ He looks at me shrewdly. ‘Fame won’t buy you everything.’
    ‘You’re sure about this?’
    He nods. ‘Positive.’
    I shrug. ‘OK.’ I stand up to go.
    ‘Hey! Wait! How about a drink for old times’ sake?’
    ‘Sorry, Harry. I’m busy.’
    I leave him blustering and dig in my pocket for my phone. My fingers brush my little white pebble, the gift from Dr Love that’s meant to remind me of my humanity, and I feel a twinge of guilt for veering from the straight and narrow legal path. Then I shrug. It’s not like I’m going to hurt anyone. I need a time bubble for the greater good.
    I search through my contacts until I find the right one.
    ‘O’Shea? We need to catch up.’

CHAPTER FOUR: Shopping for Answers
     
     
    O’Shea refuses to meet somewhere quiet. He is working, he says, so I’m forced to buy a pair of fake Gucci sunglasses and a Prada scarf to cover my head in order to remain incognito. I don’t mind the disguise part; it’ll be a good test to prove to my grandfather – and everyone else at New Order – that I can still work undercover. The only galling