"You look well behind that desk, Miss Knight."

Margrit managed a faint smile and stepped out from behind the desk. "You haven't replaced Ms. Gray yet?"

"Ms. Gray was irreplaceable. I believe I've mentioned that." His glance skittered to the pale spot on the wall and he inclined his head slightly. "Perhaps I'm sentimental. The photograph is in my office now."

"I think even a vampire is allowed to be sentimental when somebody who was with him twelve decades dies, Mr. Daisani."

"When someone has been murdered." Daisani's words were gentle, but his expression contorted, barely holding back rage before a fresh facade of good nature rose to replace the darker emotion. "You've become bold since the last time I saw you. You wouldn't have thrown that word around so lightly, before."

"I'm feeling reckless,"Margrit admitted. "What do you want from me, Mr. Daisani?"

He came forward, offering both his hands to her, a gesture that could be equally welcoming or condescending. She put one out in return and he clasped it, his touch disconcertingly hot as he all but bowed over her fingers. "The first time we met I offered you a job. I'd like to say that offer still stands, but circumstances have changed."

"Mr. Daisani." Margrit withdrew her fingers from his grasp as politely as she could. "I told you. I'm happy with my job. I'm not interested in coming to work for your law branch."

"No." The word was clipped, Daisani's pleasant front slipping again to reveal anger. "As I said, the circumstances have changed. I find myself in a unique situation, and, to your dismay, you're the person best suited to helping me with it."

Caution chilled Margrit's hands and she forced herself not to take a step back, though Daisani's phrasing brought an unwilling smile to her face. "To my dismay. You're probably right about that. Mr. Daisani, I don't owe you anything. I did what you asked in helping to find Vanessa's murderer. We're even."