herself on occasion that there was much she didn't know about Zachariah Justis. The reverse was true, too, but Guinevere doubted that a complete resume of her past would contain any earthshaking surprises for Zac. However, she wondered what she would learn if she were to see a detailed resume of his past. She told herself philosophically that the early stages of love were a time of discovery. It was not a time to be rushed. She would continue feeling her way, learning what she could about Zachariah Justis.
"The caterer said he'd see us at
five thirty
," Zac announced as he came through the door. "Let's get going."
"Relax, Zac. He's only a couple of blocks away. We'll get there in plenty of time." Guinevere picked up her shoulder bag and glanced around the office. "Besides, I want to talk to you. I need some professional advice."
Zac waited impatiently by the door, his eyes turning suddenly suspicious. "Professional advice? What sort of advice? Gwen, I don't want you getting mixed up in any more crazy investigations. I can find my own clients. I don't need you to dig up more work for me."
She smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring way. "Calm down. I'm not asking you to take on any investigations. This one I'm going to handle on my own. I just want some advice from you, that's all." She playfully pushed him out into the hall and locked the office door.
"Gwen, I mean it, I've got enough to do during the next couple of weeks without having to chase after you trying to keep you out of trouble. I've got this damn reception to plan, and the move to my new office to supervise. On top of everything else, I'm supposed to be interviewing for a secretary. That reminds me— why haven't you sent anyone over for me to talk to?"
"I'm still selecting the final candidates. A good secretary is hard to find, Zac. It takes time. Trust me."
"Uh-huh. Are you sure you're not being a little too picky?" He took her arm and steered her forcefully down the stairs and out onto the sidewalk.
"Zac, I have to be picky. You're not going to be the easiest man to work for, you know. You need someone calm and unflappable. Someone with a good personality, so that she can handle your important clients properly. You also need someone who can do your typing, handle your accounts, and present a good image."
"Damn it, Gwen, I just want a secretary, not a presidential aide."
"Don't worry, Zac, I'll send someone over soon. Now, about my little problem—"
"Guinevere, I have learned through hard experience that your problems are rarely little."
"Don't sound so abused. I'm not going to involve you in this. I've told you, I just want some advice. Now, here's the situation: I think one of my employees has become the victim of a very subtle, very cruel protection racket,"
Zac slid her a sidelong glance. "Are you kidding?"
"No. Listen to this and tell me what you think. I sent a young woman over to Gage and Watson a few weeks ago."
"The electronics firm?"
Guinevere nodded. "Someone in her office turned her on to a psychic, a character who goes by the name of Madame Zoltana. Madame Zoltana agreed to see her initially for a small consulting fee, but after a couple of visits she revealed to poor little Sally that she knew Sally had gotten pregnant when she was seventeen."
"Oh, hell." Zac sounded as if he knew what was coming.
"Sally was flabbergasted. It seemed to prove that Madame Zoltana really knew her stuff. But it didn't stop there. Zoltana also knew that Sally had given the baby up for adoption. You have to understand, Zac, that the experience nearly devastated Sally. She's a fragile person, in the first place. Finding herself pregnant and abandoned at seventeen nearly caused her to commit suicide. She was talked into having the baby by one of those antiabortion groups. They promised her that once she gave the baby away she would be free to rebuild her own life. Sally did exactly that. It's been a long, slow process. Because of the baby, she was