Somewhat embarrassed, like a child caught with his hand wedged into the forbidden cookie jar, Walker turned around to discover that Eliza was standing directly behind him.
He hadnt realized she was so delicate looking. She seemed smaller somehow, more petite. Here, on her home territory, she appeared almost elfin. Or maybe it was just his imagination.
Werent elves the ones who were supposed to grant you wishes when you found them in their own lair? Or was he getting that confused with leprechauns? He wasnt sure. Most of all, he wasnt sure anymore just what he was doing here.
Shed felt his presence. Sitting in her office, poring over information that ultimately might or might not have to do with Bonnies disappearance, shed suddenly become aware that something had changed. Walker was entering the building.
It would probably spook him if she told him that, she thought with a smile. It had taken her a long time to learn exactly what she could share with someone and what she needed to keep to herself, if she didnt want them to think of her in the same belittling way her father had.
Shed ventured out of her office, curious to see if she was right, if she actually had sensed his presence, or if concentrating so hard on recovering Bonnie had made her think Walker had come. Shed certainly been hoping that he would. It would make things a great deal less difficult for her to do her job if she had access to Bonnies things.
Her job. That was what shed decided it would be, even as shed walked away from Walkers closed front door. Her job. Her mission. To find Bonnie, no matter how long it took. She had to.
Eliza took his hand as if she were drawing out a reluctant child, encouraging him to join the others.
It surprised Walker how delicate her fingers felt against his skin.
It was her job to do that, he reminded himself, to distract him so she could take him where she wanted him to go. Because hed been a hustler in the practical sense of the word all his life, hustling first for supporters, then for clients, for people to recognize his designs, and then finally for financial backinghed come to think of the rest of the world in those same terms. People hustling to convince others that
they both needed and wanted the goods or services the other had to offer.
In this case, there was no question that he did. If the services were really legitimate.
That was the doubting Thomas in him, he thought. The practical side that had come by way of his engineer father. The man who had taught him to test twice before he trusted once.
He had yet to really test this Eliza Eldridge and her firm.
Youre in luckIm in between cases, Eliza informed him quietly, still holding his hand in hers.
Shed probably say that whether or not it was the truth. Right, luck.
He was still skeptical. Not that she blamed him. He really hadnt witnessed anything that would make him change his mind. Dont underestimate luck, Mr. Banacek. It plays a large role in almost everything.
His resistance to the whole ludicrous idea of someone being clairvoyant was beginning to strengthen. It was all he could do to keep the sarcasm bubbling within him to a simmer. He wasnt usually rude, but this had brought out his vulnerability, and he was going to do everything he needed to in order to protect himself.
So you do what, hand out rabbits feet to your clients or tell them to gather up a bouquet of four-leaf clovers, just to be on the safe side?
Shed been subjected to a great deal worse and had long since learned that fear and ignorance colored the way people spoke. And Walker was afraid. Afraid to believe. Afraid to be disappointed. And afraid of finally, unequivocally, giving up.
If he had given up the way he thought he had, he wouldnt have come.
Its not going to make you feel any better to be antagonistic, Mr. Banacek. I just meant that every decision we make has some effect on the way our individual timelines are formed. She smiled into his eyes, trying to give him some of her faith. A lot of good things have happened to people because they were in the right place at the right time.
And a lot of bad things have happened to people because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, he countered.
There was nothing quite so daunting as when reason joined forces with pessimism, she thought. But she was up to the challenge.
Still luck, she replied. Just this time, bad. Would you like to step into my office?
He glanced toward the elevator. It would still be here later, he reasoned. He could always leave.
Sure. The shrug was careless. Im here, why not?
Eliza smiled. Why not, indeed?
He sounded as if he hadnt made the effort to get behind the wheel of his car and seek out ChildFinders. As if hed just decided, on a lark, to drop by the offices. But she refrained from pointing that out as she led him down the hall to her office.
The office that she occupied had a view of the ocean, and in the evening, the sunset. Together, they made for a breathtaking scenewhenever she was in the office to witness it. She was comforted to know that the view was there whenever she was in desperate need of tranquillity.