“I’m flattered that you’ve chosen to break the rules for me, and I just hope you can forgive me for . . .” He gestured helplessly in the direction that Freddie had gone.

“Just don’t let her show up at a séance,” Persephone said.

Jake smiled with relief. “Absolutely not.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Gideon knew immediately what the problem was when his clerk came into his office the next morning. Smith’s sour expression could mean only one thing.

“Has someone shown up without an appointment?” Gideon asked, managing not to grin.

“Mr. Waterson has asked to see you if you have a moment,” Smith said stiffly.

Gideon knew a frisson of excitement and then a moment of dismay to think how boring his ordinary life must be if a visit from a con man caused him pleasure. “I’ll be happy to see him.” It was too true.

Smith showed Waterson in, making his disapproval known by the set of his shoulders, something only Gideon would have noticed. Gideon greeted him, and Waterson declined the offer of refreshment.

When they were both seated, Gideon said, “How may I help you today, Mr. Waterson?”

Waterson shifted uneasily in his chair. “It’s about that contract you drew up for me and Coleman.”

“I assumed as much. Is there a problem? I’m afraid it’s a little late to make changes, but if you have a concern—”

“Nothing’s wrong with the contract, at least not that I know of, but . . . Well, you see my relatives in Germany aren’t happy about it.”

It was rather soon for word to have reached someone in Germany and for them to have responded with concerns, but Gideon didn’t mention that. “What aren’t they happy about?”

“They’ve decided they don’t want to sell the property at all.”

Gideon frowned. “It’s a shame they didn’t inform you of this before you signed a legally binding document.”

“Yes, well, that’s foreigners for you, isn’t it? Always changing their minds.”

Gideon wasn’t aware that foreigners were more likely than anyone else to change their minds, but he knew better than to disagree. “I’m sure if you explain that you are now legally obligated to make the sale to Mr. Coleman, they will understand.”

“You don’t know my relatives, Mr. Bates. They can be pretty stubborn.”

Gideon smiled his sympathy. “The law can be pretty stubborn as well. If you refuse to sell, Mr. Coleman would be within his rights to sue you.” If he could find Waterson, which seemed unlikely.

Waterson obviously also knew how unlikely it was and appeared unmoved. “A lawsuit would be terrible, of course, but I know you lawyers always know a way to make something happen. I was hoping you could figure out how to get Coleman to cancel the sale.”