Chapter 13 #3
“Fuck.”
“So you said,” he replies dryly, staring at me for a moment before opening one of the drawers of his antique desk. I watch as he pulls out a thick file and holds it out to me.
Intrigued by the idea of figuring out why London is suddenly awash with paranormal activity, I take the offered file and open it, flipping through some of the pages.
“And these are?”
“Cases that we believe have a supernatural element,” he explains. “I’m sure you can see how important it is that you continue your investigation.”
He pulls out a smaller envelope and hands it to me. When I open it and unfold the heavy and expensive-looking cream paper, it’s to find a contract and a rather generous offer.
“That’s a lot of money.” My brows rise.
“Money we have, Mr Stone. You don’t stay in business for as long as we’ve been able to without making some sound investments. That”—he nods to the letter I’m still holding in my hand—“is what this investigation is worth to us. What you are worth to us.”
“Me?”
“Let us be honest. There isn’t another PI who can do the things you do, or who has the insight and connections you do. That makes you incredibly valuable to us. If the offer is not enough, name your price.”
“The offer is more than enough,” I reply introspectively. “It’s not the money that’s the issue.”
“Then what?” He spreads his hand. “Name your terms. We would like to build a long-term working relationship with you and your agency as it grows, and I’m certain it will at some point.
With the amount of paranormal cases multiplying at the rate they are, you’re going to need a trustworthy secretary or assistant at the very least.”
I mull over his words, his offer, his potential trustworthiness.
I don’t think I do entirely trust him, at least not yet. But I can’t deny that taking this case would not only allow me to pursue this investigation but also, more importantly, bring in more than enough money to get me back on my feet, and at some point, maybe even allow me to take on a partner.
“I don’t answer to you,” I tell him bluntly. “I will share with you the findings I deem important, but I won’t tolerate any interference or anyone trying to manage me.”
“Agreed.”
“I run my business as I see fit, is that clear?”
“Crystal. In addition, we would also like to offer to represent you.”
“Represent me?” I repeat. “For what?”
“Anything you need,” Mr Hadley answers. “I’m sure you can see the benefit of having legal advice and representation from a firm that understands the unique challenges facing both you and your business.”
I stare at him for several long seconds. “I’ll think about it.”
He nods. “Please do so.”
“So how exactly is this going to work?”
“We are paying you to investigate how and why people are manifesting paranormal abilities, and to do any appropriate checks as to whether they pose a danger when one of these individuals becomes known. That’s what we are contracting your services for.
Any individuals on a case-by-case basis, even ones we refer to you, whether they have a supernatural element to them or not, are your clients, and you can bill them accordingly for your services. ”
“Okay,” I muse and once again glance at the papers in my hand. “When do you need this signed by?”
“We can give you a few days. I’m assuming you want some time to read through it thoroughly and think about our offer.”
“You assume correctly.”
He nods. “My number is on the letterhead. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our office.”
I lift one brow. “Am I going to make it past Mrs Middleton?”
His lips twitch again. “I can assure you her bark is worse than her bite.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“If you do decide to accept, I’ll arrange to have you meet Mr Mason. He’s out of town at the moment but should return shortly.” Mr Hadley steeples his fingers in front of him. “In the meantime, I hope that we may continue to refer individual cases to you?”
“Of course,” I reply. “I’m certainly not going to turn away paying clients.” I stand and offer him my hand. “Thank you for the tea and the information. You’ll have my answer in a couple of days.”
He shakes my hand, and I turn and head for the door.
I’ve just got my hand on the handle when the sound of my name has me pausing and looking at him over my shoulder.
“Mr. Stone, just one more thing. I believe that you are labouring under the misapprehension that your psychic gifts were caused by your unfortunate brush with death, but that’s not the case.
In my experience, while true that a near death experience can alter one’s perception and awaken talents, they don’t simply materialise from nowhere.
They would have been latent inside you all along.
The experience only woke them slightly ahead of schedule. ”
“What do you mean?”
“Abilities like yours, like your friends’? They don’t manifest by accident. You were chosen for a reason, Mr Stone.” He raises one brow slowly. “I suggest you figure out what that reason is.”