Grier. “I don’t.”
“She was more curious about my biology than me. We did get intimate, eventually, but it was all so…”
“Clinical?”
“Yes.” He exhaled. “That.”
A romantic attachment might have made a difference, or not. Most High Society necromancers with accomplishments as vast as Leisha’s were cerebral. Linus had no trouble imagining her trading sex for the chance to examine a specimen, but she ought to have made her intentions clear.
Unfortunately, it appeared she had neglected to inform Corbin that was the exchange she had in mind.
“You can wait in the van if you like,” Linus offered. “I can question her alone.”
“I’m here as your backup. You’re not going anywhere by yourself.” Corbin rubbed his nape. “I’ll manage.”
From his miserable tone and his twitchy fingers, Linus doubted Corbin believed what he was saying any more than Linus did, but he would only make the situation more awkward if he didn’t let it drop. “All right.”
They spent the next ten minutes navigating an older neighborhood in search of Leisha’s home. The shotgun-style house was painted purple with yellow trim and green accents that reminded him of Mardi Gras. The lawn was landscaped, the property immaculate, and a wreath hung on the door with a wooden cutout of the first letter of her last name.
“This home blends into the neighborhood well,” Linus remarked. “I’m surprised Leisha chose it.”
“I’m not.” Corbin settled his expression into neutral lines. “It’s got social experiment written all over it.”
Given what he recalled of Leisha’s predilections during their overlapping years as students at Strophalos University, and how she had treated Corbin, Linus was inclined to agree with him.
The front door opened on a curvy woman wrapped in a flannel robe two sizes too large for her. “Yes?”
“Do you have a moment?” Linus took the lead, allowing Corbin the shelter of his back. “I would like to discuss a time-sensitive issue with you.”
“I was about to go to bed but…” Her drowsy eyes brightened as her gaze slid past his shoulder. “Corbin.” She wet her lips. “What a surprise.” She opened the door wider. “Come in, both of you.”
“Thank you.” Linus entered alongside Corbin to shield him from their eager hostess. “We appreciate your hospitality on such short notice.”
“On the topic of cooperation...” She pinned Corbin with a playful stare. “You never called me back about the blood samples.”
“Blood samples?” Linus quirked a brow. “You asked him to donate?”
Corbin shifted closer to Linus, farther from her, but she didn’t appear to notice as she said, “Yes.”
“I see.” Linus awarded her his full attention. “Any particular reason why?”
“I have a theory…” Her voice trailed to nothing. “May I ask why it’s any of your concern?”
“Corbin is a member of my family, my wife’s only progeny. We take an eager interest in his welfare.”
“I did hear that somewhere,” she murmured, but her mind was too sharp to fool him. “Your wife’s blood must be—”
“My wife is not a topic for discussion.” He shut her down quick. “Neither, for that matter, is Corbin.”
Folding her arms over her chest, she studied them. “Then what brings you to my humble abode?”
“You were hired to do some work for my mother.”
Her gaze darted to Corbin, who nodded, which Linus found even curiouser than when Orin deferred to him.
“Yes,” she admitted, her chin tipping up in defiance. “Is there a problem with my work?”
To spare Corbin from interacting with her, Linus took point on questioning. “How long after a ward has been keyed for entry does it remain open?”
“Sixty seconds.” A frown knit her brow. “That was the agreed-upon limit.”
“Long enough for one person to open the ward and two to enter under a single time stamp.”
“Ideally, each person would use his or her own key to gain access.”
“I wasn’t asking a question,” he said conversationally. “I was making a point.”
“I took Linus down there earlier,” Corbin mumbled. “I opened the ward, and he followed me through.”
“I see.” Leisha clutched the halves of her robe together. “Rather, I don’t. Why are you here?”
“Do you have any ties to the wards? Are you alerted when they’ve been breached?”
“No,” she said slowly. “I was hired to do a job, and I did it.” Her fingers tightened. “I cut all ties after.”
“Mother disappeared last night at dusk.” He told her the rest and watched for her reaction. “We believe she’s with Boaz Pritchard, and that they reached the safety of the bunker before they were overcome.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She sank onto her sofa. “You think I had something to