So Aguinaldo’s death was going to bite me without my touching it. My stomach tightened. I shouldn’t have discounted the mad swimmer’s threat to tell on me to her powerful husband.

“I. V. Warshawski was Isaac Bashevis Singer’s pen name when he wrote for the Daily Forward in the thirties. I’m V. I., the detective. Which of us do you want?” Even at forty–plus, nervousness still makes me mouth off.

The cream didn’t lose any of its smoothness. “Is this Ms. Warshawski? Mr. Baladine wants to see you this afternoon. Do you know where our offices are?”

That sounded like a command; if nervousness makes me flippant, commands make me ornery. “I know where your offices are, but I don’t have time to drive to Oak Brook this afternoon.”

“Can you hold, please.”

I put the speakerphone on so I could hear her when she returned and obstinately went back to my reverse directory. Dance music wafted to me from Carnifice’s on–hold program, followed by a description of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. “When you’re not home, is your children’s nanny Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? Carnifice Security’s Home Security Division can show you how to monitor your nanny on the job. We can trace her references before you hire her, too. Call us for an estimate.” They added an 800 number.

The dance music returned, followed almost immediately by the cream. “Mr. Baladine can see you at five today.”

“I could be free at my office at five if he wants to sit on the Eisenhower all afternoon. Unfortunately I don’t have time to do that. How about tomorrow?”

“Mr. Baladine has to be in Washington tomorrow. Can you tell me a time that you could get to Oak Brook today?”

I didn’t want to make that long drive just to be chewed out, but I’d love to meet the guy, as long as I didn’t have to face rush–hour traffic to do so. “How about seven?”

She put me on hold again, this time only long enough for the start of a spiel on Carnifice’s bodyguarding service. If I could make six–thirty, Mr. Baladine would appreciate it.

I said I’d do my best to earn the big man’s appreciation and turned thoughtfully back to my computer. Before going on with this dull problem in Georgia, I logged on to LifeStory and asked what they had on file about Robert Baladine. Yes, I told the machine, I was willing to pay a premium for short turnaround.

Chapter 12: The Lion’s Den

12 The Lion’s Den