Jayne Ann Krentz - Light in Shadow
Transcript of Jayne Ann Krentz - Light in Shadow
LIGHTINSHADOW
Copyright©2002By
JayneAnnKrentz
ISBN:0-515-13.618-2
forStephenCastle,
brotherandfriend,withlove
ChapterOneThewallsscreamedather."Oh,damn,"ZoeLucewhispered.Shehaltedinthedoorwayoftheempty
bedroomandstaredatthewhitewalls.Notnow.Nottoday.Notthistime.Ireallyneedthisjob.Thewallssobbed.TerrorpulsedthroughlayersofSheet-rockandthefresh
coatofstarkwhitepaintthatcoveredit.Thesilentshrieksricochetedoffthefloorandceiling.Sheputherfingerstohertemplesinapurelyinstinctive,utterlyuseless
gesture.Shesqueezedhereyesshut,bracingherselfagainsttheraggedboltsoficylightningthatwereshootingthroughherandpoolingintoaglacialpondsomewhereinthevicinityofherstomach.DavisMasonhadfollowedhersocloselydownthehallthathewasonlya
pacebehindherwhenshecametoasuddenstop.Hebumpedawkwardlyagainsther."Oops,sorry."Hecaughthisbalance."Iwasn'tpayingattention.""Myfault."Withwhatshehopedwasanunobtrusivemovement,sheeasedout
ofthedoorwaybackintothehall.Thingsweremuchbetterouthere.Shecouldcope.ShegaveDaviswhatshehopedwasabright,assuredsmile.Itwasn'teasy,whatwiththemuffledcriesstillleakingoutofthebedroom.Shewantedoutofthishouse.Fast.Whateverhadhappenedinthebedroom
hadbeenbad."Hey."Davistouchedhershoulderlightly."Areyouallright,Zoe?"Shegavehimanothershakysmile.ItwasrelativelyeasytosmileatDavis.He
hadelegantlinesandcleaningstylingwithjusttherighttouchofroguishflair.Ifhe'dbeenacar,hewouldhavebeenasleek,Europeanroadster.Judgingbythespacioushome,thehand-tailoredshirtandtrousers,andtheonyxanddiamond
spacioushome,thehand-tailoredshirtandtrousers,andtheonyxanddiamondringhewore,hewasalsowealthy.Inshort,shethoughtsadly,untilthatmoment,shehadconsideredhimtheidealclient.Everythinghadchangednow,ofcourse."Yes,I'mfine."Shedidalittleon-the-spotdeepbreathing,usingthe
techniquesshehadlearnedinherself-defenseclass.Summoningupherteacher'sinstructions,shesoughtthecalm,stablecenterthatwassupposedtobesomewheredeepinsideher.Unfortunately,shehadnotyetmasteredthatpartoftheprogram.Allshecouldfeelwasabadcaseofthejitterscomingon."What'swrong?"Daviswaslookingseriouslyconcernednow."Justthestartofaheadache,"Zoesaid."IoftengetonewhenIforgettoeat
breakfast."Theliescamesoeasilythesedays.But,then,she'dhadalotofpractice.Too
badshewasn'tyetcleverenoughtoconvinceherself,shethought.Alittleself-delusionwouldbeverywelcomerightnow.Daviswatchedherintentlyforafewseconds,andthenherelaxed."Missed
yourmorningshotofcaffeine?""Andfood.It'sabloodsugarthing.Ishouldknowbetter."Feelinganurgent
needtochangethetopicofconversation,shelookedbackintothebedroomandblurtedoutthefirstthingthatcameintohermind."Whathappenedtothebed?""Thebed?"Theybothlookedatthelarge,emptystretchofuncoveredhardwoodflooring
betweentwomassive,mission-stylebedsidetables.Zoeswalloweduneasily."Therestoftheresidenceisfullyfurnished,"she
said."Icouldn'thelpbutnoticethatthere'snobedinhere.""Shetookit,"Davissaidgrimly."Yourex-wife?"
"Yourex-wife?"Hesighed."Shelovedthatdamnedbed.Spentmonthsshoppingforit.Iswear,
itmeantmoretoherthanIdid.Whensheleft,itwasabouttheonlythingsheinsistedontakingwithherinadditiontoherpersonalstuff.""Isee.""Youknowhowitisinadivorce.Sometimesthebiggestfightsareoverthe
smallest,dumbestthings."Whateverelseithadbeen,Zoethought,themissingbedhadnotbeensmall."Iunderstand."Davissearchedherface."Headachegettingworse?""It'llbeallrightonceI'vehadlunchandacupofcoffee,"sheassuredhim."Tellyouwhat.You'veseentherestofthehouse.I'msureyou'vegotthe
generalpicture.Whydon'twetakeabreakandgetsomethingtoeatattheclub?Itwillgiveusachancetotalkoveryourinitialimpressions."Thethoughtofeatingmadeherstomachchurn.Sheknewfromexperience
thatshewouldnotbeabletokeepanyfooddownuntilthechillsstopped.Thatcouldtakeawhile.Thishadbeenareallybadexperience,andithadcaughthertotallyoffguard.Itwasherownfault.Sheknewbetterthantoenteraroomsorecklessly.But
shehadbeencaughtupinherplansfortheinteriors,completelyfocused,andtherestofthespaciousresidencehadseemedsonew,soclean.Shesimplyhadnotbeenexpectingtrouble,and,asoftenhappened,shehadpaidtheprice."I'dlovetojoinyouforlunch,butI'mafraidI'llhavetotakearaincheck."Shemadeashowofglancingatherwatch."I'vegotanotherappointmentthis
afternoon,andIneedtoprepareforit."
afternoon,andIneedtoprepareforit."Davislookedhesitant."Ifyou'resure–""I'mafraidso."Shetriedtoinjectanoteofapologyintohertone."Ireallydo
havetorun,andyou'reright,I'veseenallIneedtoseefornow."AndsensedfarmorethanIeverwantedtoknow,thankyouverymuch."I'vegotthefloorplanyougavemeearlier.I'llmakesomecopiesanddosomesketchesthatwillyougiveyouanideaofwhatIhaveinmind.""I'dappreciatethedrawings."Davisglancedintothebedroomandshookhis
headsomewhatruefully."I'lladmitI'mnotwhatyou'dcallavisualperson.It'seasierformetograsptheconceptwhenIcanseeapicture.""It'salwayseasierwhenyoucanlookatadrawing.HangonwhileIcheckmy
calendar."Shereachedintohervoluminoustote,oneofsixsimilarbagsindifferent
colorsthatsheowned.Eachfunctionedasacombinationbriefcaseandpurse.Shehadchosenthechartreusegreenonetodaybecauseshelikedthewayitcontrastedwithherdeepvioletpantsuit.Gropinginthevastdepths,shepushedasidethesmallcamera,asketchbook,
measuringtape,aclearplasticboxcontaininganarrayofcoloredpensandfeltmarkers,afolderoffabricsamplesandthelarge,antiquebrassdoorknobattachedtotheringthatheldthekeystoherapartment.Theappointmentcalendarwasatthebottom.Shehauledituptothesurface
andflippeditopen."I'llgetsomeideasdownonpaper,"shesaidbriskly,"andI'lltrytohavesome
preliminarylayoutsreadyforyoubytheendoftheweek.WhatdoyousaywemeetinmyofficeFridayafternoon?""Friday?"Daviswasclearlydisappointed."That'saweekoff.Dowehaveto
waitthatlong?I'dliketogetstartedassoonaspossible.Thetruthisthishousehasbeendamndepressingsincemywifewalkedout."Yeah,I'llbetithas,shethought.
Yeah,I'llbetithas,shethought."Iunderstand,"shesaidaloud,tryingtosoundsympathetic.Itwasn'teasy,
giventhefactthatthefinehairsonthenapeofherneckwerestilltinglingandthereweregoosebumpsonherarmsbeneaththesleevesofherlightweightjacket."I'mtryinghardnottobebitter,"Davissaid."Butthedivorceiscostingmea
bundle.GotafeelingI'llbegettingbillsfromthelawyersforalongtime."AlltheavailableevidenceindicatedthatDavisMasonhadcomeoutofthe
divorceinexcellentshape,financially.Fromwhatshecouldsee,hepossessedaveryexpensiveresidence,theinteriorsofwhichhewaspreparedtopayherhandsomelytohaveredesigned,andamembershipinapriceycountryclub.Butshedidnotraisethosepointsaloud.Shewasrapidlylearningtobediplomaticwiththenewlydivorced,having
discoveredthattheyconstitutedahotmarketnicheforinteriordesignerssuchasherself.Peopleemergingfromshatteredmarriagesfrequentlyyearnedtoredotheirlivingspacesasaformoftherapytohelpthemgetpastthenegativeemotionalfalloutcausedbythebreakup.Sheflippedthroughthepagesofhercalendar,pretendingtostudyher
schedule.Abruptlyshesnappedtheleather-boundvolumeclosedwithadecisiveair."I'mafraidI'mbookedsolid.FridayistheonlydayIcangiveyouthetimethisprojectdeserves.Willtwoo'clockworkforyou?""LookslikeIdon'thavemuchchoice."Daviswasnotpleased.Hewasusedto
gettingwhathewanted."Fridayitis.Didn'tmeantosoundsoimpatient.It'sjustthatI'mveryanxioustogetmovingontheproject.""Ofcourse.Onceyou'vemadethedecisiontoredesignapersonalliving
space,there'sanaturalurgetorushintothejob."Shespokequickly,tryingtoinjectaprofessional,businesslikequalityintohervoice."Butredoinganentireresidenceisamajorundertakingandmistakesatthisstagecanbeextremelycostly.""Yeah,Ifoundthatoutthehardway."Hetookonemorelookatthebedroom.
"Yeah,Ifoundthatoutthehardway."Hetookonemorelookatthebedroom."IgotasfarasrepaintingthisroomandrealizedIneededexperthelp.Ididn'tthinkIcouldgowrongjustputtingacoatofwhitepaintonthewalls,butassoonasIfinishedIrealizeditdidn'tlookright.Iwantedtomakeitseemlightandairyinhereandinstead–"Heshruggedandletthesentencetrailoffwithawhoknewexpression.Andinsteadthebedroomhadallthecozyambienceofanautopsyroomoran
embalmingchamber,Zoeconcludedsilently.NoamountofthebrightArizonasunlightdancingonthesurfaceofthesapphirepooloutsidecouldcounteractthateffect.Someoftheunpleasantsensationwasattributabletothestarkwhitepaint,butsheknewthattherealproblemhadbeencreatedbywhateveritwasthathadhappenedinthisbedroom.Somethingscouldnotbecoveredwithacoatofpaint.ShealsoknewthatMr.IdealClientwasnotconsciouslyawareofthe
emotionstrappedinthewalls.Tohereverlastingregret,shehadneverencounteredanyoneelsewhopickeduponthatkindofstuffthewayshedid–aspure,rawenergy.Butshehadseenenoughinstancesofothersreactinginsubtle,unconsciouswaystotheatmosphereofaparticularroomtobeconvincedthatalotofpeoplerespondedtoaspaceonsomedeep,psychiclevel.Shehadalsolearnedthehardwaytokeepherinnerknowledgetoherself."Youchoseastarkbrightwhite."Shetookanotherstepback,puttingmore
distancebetweenherselfandthebedroomdoorway."Iknowitseemslikepurewhiteshouldbesimpleandstraightforward,butitisactuallyverydifficulttoworkwithbecauseitreflectssomuchglare,especiallyhereinthedesert.Italsotendstocreateverycoldshadowswhenyouaddfurnishings.Ultimatelythatmakesforalackofharmonyandtranquility.Youwererighttostoppaintingafteryoufinishedthisroom.""Knewitwasn'ttherightdirection."Davismadeacasualgesturethatinvited
hertogoaheadofhimdownthehall."Ihavetotellyou,Zoe,whenIdecidedIneededaprofessionaldesigner,Ididn'treallyputmuchstockinthisfengshuithingthatyoudo.""Alotofpeoplehavedoubtsaboutituntiltheyexperiencetheresult."
"Iknewitwastrendyandall.Thewomenatthecountryclubarereallyintoit.
WhenHelenWeymouthgavemeyourname,shewentonandonabouthowyouhadcompletelytransformedherhomeaftershegotherdivorce.She'dbeenonthebrinkofputtingitupforsalebecauseofallthebadmemories,shesaid.Shecreditsyouwithchangingthewholeatmosphereoftheplace.""TheWeymouthprojectwasaninterestingone."Notmuchfarthertothefront
door.Acouplemoreminutes,andshewouldbeoutofhere."Mrs.Weymouthgavemeafreehand.""Sheadvisedmetodothesamething.Afewmonthsago,afterJenniferleft,I
wouldhavesaidthatallthisbusinessofarrangingthefurnituretoregulatetheflowofnegativeandpositiveenergywaswaytoofaroutforme.ButthelongerIliveherealonewitheverythingjustthewayitwaswhenshewashere,themoreI'mconvincedthattheremaybesomethingtoyourdesigntheories.""Idon'tpracticeoneparticularschooloffengshui."Toherhorrorsherealized
shewastalkingmuchtoofast.Actnormal.Youknowhowtodothis."IuseelementsofseveraldifferentapproachescombinedwithorganizationalprinciplesfromotherclassicdesigntraditionssuchasVastu.""What'sthat?""AnancientHindusciencethatsetsoutprinciplesforarchitectureanddesign.
IalsoincorporatewhatIconsiderthemostusefulelementsfromcontemporarytheoriesofharmonyandproportion.Mystyleisreallyquiteeclectic."Actually,IprettymuchmakeitupasIgoalong,sheaddedsilently.But
clientsdidnotliketohearthat.Shewalkedswiftlytowardthefrontofthehouse,desperatetoescapeintothefreshair.Nowthatshehadbeensensitizedbytheexperienceinthebedroom,shewaspickingupwispytendrilsofdark,unwholesomeemotionsfromotherwallsintheresidence.Shehadtogetoutofthisplacefast.Shereachedtheterra-cottafoyeratlast.Daviswasrightbehindher.He
openedthefrontdoor,andsheescapedintothereassuringwarmthoftheearlyOctoberday.
Octoberday."Areyousureyou'refeelingwellenoughtodrivebacktoyouroffice?"Davis
asked.Actnormal."I'vegotanenergybarinthecar."Anotherlie.Wasshegettinggoodatthisor
what?"Allright.Well,takecare.AndI'llseeyouonFriday.""Right.Friday."Shegavehimwhatshehopedwasabright,professional-lookingsmile,
tightenedhergriponthechartreusetote,andwentbrisklytowardhercar.Shetriednottoappearasifshewasrushingawayfromthescreaminghouse.Shebreathedasighofreliefwhenshereachedthevehicle.Yankingopenthe
door,shetossedthetoteontothepassengerseat,slidbehindthewheel,putherdarkglasseson,andfireduptheengine,allinwhatfeltlikeasinglemotion.Herhandswerestilltrembling.Aftershocksfromthesurgeofadrenaline,she
surmised.Thiswasn'tthefirsttime.Shecouldhandleit.Butshehadtogripthewheelverytightlyinordertosteerherwayoutofthe
exclusivecommunity.ToherleftwasthelongstretchofimpossiblygreenfairwaythatservedastheapproachtothesixteenthholeoftheDesertViewCountryClub.EleganthomessimilartotheMasonresidencewerescatteredartfullyaroundthegolfcourse.BeyondthevividgreenlinksstretchedtheruggedexpanseoftheSonoran
Desertandlow,rollingmountainfoothills.ThegolfclubcommunityandtheadjoiningtownofWhisperingSpringswerealittlemorethananhour'sdrivefromPhoenix,closeenoughtocatchsomeofthespilloverfromthetouristtradebutfarenoughouttoavoidthetrafficandcongestionofthecity.Theharsh,drylandscapehadseemedastrangeandalienplacetoherwhen
shehadmovedhereayearago,butsomewherealongthelinehernew
shehadmovedhereayearago,butsomewherealongthelinehernewenvironmenthadbeguntofeelfamiliar,evencomfortable.Shehaddiscoveredanunexpectedbeautyinthedesert,withitsspectacularsunrisesandsunsetsandtheastoundingdepthsoflightandshadow.Shehadalwaysbeendrawntocontrasts,andtherewasnothingsubtleaboutthisplace.ThedecisiontomovetoWhisperingSpringshadbeenagoodone,shemused,
butmaybesheshouldreconsiderthecareermoveshehadmadeatthesametime.Interiordesignhadseemedlikeanatural,logicalwaytogo.Afterall,shehadabackgroundinthefineartsandagood,trainedeye,andshecertainlyknewhowtogetthefeelofalivingspace.Bestofall,shehadn'tneededanyadditionaldegreesorqualificationsinordertosetherselfupinbusinesslegally.Buttoday'sencounterwasenoughtogivehersomesecondthoughts.Auniformedguardcameoutofasmallbuildinglocatedatthegatedentrance.
TheemblemonhissnappykhakijacketdeclaredhimtobeanemployeeofRadnorSecuritySystems.Hegreetedherpolitely,wishedheragoodday,andwentbackinsidehisair-conditionedsanctuarytomakeanoteonhislog.Securitywastighthereinthiscarefullyplannedenclaveofwealthandstatus,
butsomeoneintheMasonresidencehadnotbenefitedfromit.Shewaiteduntilshewasclearofthegatesandonherwaybacktowardthe
downtownsectionofWhisperingSpringsbeforeshepickedupherphone.Shepunchedintheonlynumberthatshehadcodedintoherspeeddial.ArcadiaAmesansweredonthethirdring,givingthenameofhergiftshopin
herlow,throatyvoice."GalleryEuphoria."Arcadiasoldunique,expensivegiftstoanupscaleclientele,butZoewas
prettysureherfriendcouldhavesoldsandhereinthedesertwiththatvoice.Arcadiawasherbestfriend–makethatheronlyfriend.Shehadoncehad
otherfriends,Zoethought.Butthatwasalongtimeago,backwhenshehadhadareallifeandhadnotbeenlivingintheshadows."It'sme,"Zoesaid.
"What'swrong?SomethinghappenwithMr.IdealClient?""Youcouldsaythat.""Hedecidednottohireyouafterall?Thatidiot.Butdon'tworry,therewillbe
othergoodclientslikehim.Thedivorceratedoesn'tseemtobegoingdownverymuch.""Unfortunately,Masondidn'tchangehismind,"Zoesaidevenly."Iwishhe
had.""Didthecreepmakeapassatyou?""Hewasaperfectgentleman.""HemustberichbecauseeverybodywholivesinDesertViewis,by
definition,ahighroller,"Arcadiasaidpatiently."Sowhatwentwrong?""IthinkMr.IdealClientmayhavemurderedhiswife."
ChapterTwoTwentyminuteslater,Zoelefthercarinoneofthelandscapedparkinglots
thatservedtheshopsandbusinessesofWhisperingSprings.Shewalkeddownthesidewalkandturnedintothepalm-shadedentranceofFountainSquare,anupscaleoutdoorshoppingmall.Arcadiawaitedforheratasmalltablesetoutontheshadedpatioadjoiningoneofthenumerouscafe's.Arcadiawas,asusual,astudyiniceandsilverhues.Herveryshort,gamin-cut
hairwastintedplatinumandmatchedherlongacrylicnails.Hereyeswereanunusualshadeofsilveryblue.Shewastallandslenderandaslanguidlygracefulasahautecouturemodel.Sheworeapaleglacierbluesilkshirtandflowingwhitesilktrousers.Silverandturquoisegleamedatherthroatandears.ZoewasnotpreciselysurehowoldArcadiawas.Herfriendhadnever
volunteeredtheinformation,andtherewassomethingaboutherthatmadeyouthinktwicebeforeyouintrudedonherveryprivatespace.Zoeassumedthatshewasinhermid-fortiesbutshewouldnothaveputmoneyonit.Inanothertimeandplace,Zoethought,Arcadiacouldhavebeenanexpatriate
livinginParis,drinkingabsintheandrecordingherobservationsonsoon-to-befamouspeopleinajournal.Therewasaboutheranairofsophisticatedennuithatimpliedtoomuchknowledgeoftheworld.Inreality,shehadoncebeenanextremelysuccessfulfinancialtrader.TherewasasmallcupofespressoinfrontofArcadia.Aglassoficedtea
waitedforZoe.Theneighboringtableswereunoccupied.Zoedroppedhertoteontoavacantchairandsatdown,aware,asalways,of
thesharpcontrastbetweenherselfandherfriend.Onthesurfacetheylookedliketheyhadnothingincommon.Herownhairwasadarkshadeofauburnbrown.Hereyeswerethatvague,hard-to-describemixofgreenandgoldthatendedupgoingdownashazelonadriver'slicense.And,unlikeArcadia,shelovedbright,vividcolors.
Oppositestheymayhavebeen,Zoemused,butthebondbetweenthemwasas
strongasanythatcouldhaveexistedbetweensisters.Sheglancedbrieflyatherfingertips.Theywerenolongertrembling.Shetook
thatasagoodsign.Arcadia'splatinumbrowsdrewtogetherinadelicatefrown."Areyouokay?""Sure.Theworstisover.Igotcaughtbysurprise,that'sall.Ishouldknow
betterthantojustblundermerrilyintoanunknownroomlikethat."Zoepickedupthepleasantlycold,dampglassinfrontofherandtookalong
swallowoftheicedtea.Theadrenalinethatalwaysaccompaniedanepisodewaswearingoff,butitwouldtakeawhiletowashoutofhersystem.Theaftermathinevitablyleftherrestlessandoddlyhungry."IorderedacoupleofCaesarsalads,"Arcadiasaid."Oh,good.Thanks."Awaiterappearedbearingbreadandrosemary-scentedoliveoil.Hearranged
theitemsonthetableanddeparted.Zoetoreoffalargechunkofbreadandplungeditintotheoliveoil.She
pausedjustlongenoughtosprinklealittlesaltontheoil-saturatedbread,andthenshetookaverylargebite."Areyousureyou'reallright?"Arcadiaremainedunconvinced."Nooffense,
butyoulooksomewhattheworseforwear.""I'mfine,"Zoesaidaroundthemouthfulofdense,chewybread."Theproblem
is:whatdoIdonow?"Arcadialeanedforwardandloweredhervoiceeventhoughnooneelsewas
seatednearby."You'reabsolutelysurethisguy,Mason,killedhiswife?""No,ofcourseI'mnotsure."Zoeswallowed."Ihavenowayofknowing
"No,ofcourseI'mnotsure."Zoeswallowed."Ihavenowayofknowingexactlywhathappenedinthatroom.Ionlypickupontheemotionsoftheevents,nottheeventsthemselves.ButI'lltellyouthismuch,whateveritwas,itwasbad."Sheshuddered."Andfairlyrecent.""Youcouldtellthatmuchfromthoseweirdsensationsyouget?""Yes."Shethoughtaboutherimpressions."Furthermore,I'vegotsome
evidencetobackupmyconclusions.Atleast,IthinkIdo."Arcadiapouncedonthat."Whatkindofevidence?""Well,nothingthatwouldstandupincourt.Butthebedwasgone.""Thebed?""Heclaimedthathisextookitwithher.""Maybeshedid.Amissingbedisn'tgoingtogetanyone'sattention.""Iknow,butthebedwasn'ttheonlythingthatwasgone.Icouldseesome
fadinginthefinishonthewoodenfloor,buttherewasarectangularareanearwherethebedhadstoodthatwasnotfaded.""Arug?""Uh-huh."Zoeatemorebread."Butit'sgone,too.Masondidn'tsayanything
abouttheextakingit.Also,thewallsinthatroomhavebeenrecentlyrepaintedwithacoatofwhitepaintthatisallwrongforthatspace.Masontoldmethathedidithimself,anditlookslikeit.Lousyjob.Awealthymanlikethatlivinginahigh-endneighborhood,you'dthinkhewouldhavehiredapainterifhedidn'tknowwhathewasdoingaroundabucketofpaint.""Hmm."Arcadiatappedaplatinumnaillightlyagainstthesmallespressocup.
"Iadmitthisisnotsoundinggood.""AsfarasI'mconcerneditwashischoiceofstarkwhitethatbotheredmethe
most.Ithadacertainsymbolismtoit.Almostasifhewastryingtocoverupsomethingverydark."
somethingverydark.""Iseewhatyoumean."Thewaiterreappearedwiththesalads.Zoepickedupaforkandwenttowork."Unfortunately,hereallywantstohireme,"shesaidbetweenbites.
"ApparentlyHelenWeymouthgavemeaglowingreference.I'vegotanotherappointmentwithhimonFriday.""Youcouldcancelit.Tellhimthatyoucan'ttakeonthejobofredoinghis
residencebecausethere'sbeenahugeglitchononeofyourotherprojectsthatwon'tleaveyouanytimeforhim."Zoewasbrieflyamused."Notabadexcuse.You'regood,youknowthat?""Well?""Thethingis,IgotthedistinctimpressionthatMasonisn'tgoingtolikeitifI
backoutofthis.He'sveryanxioustogethishouseredone.Maybeonsomeunconsciouslevel,he'spickingupafewofthebadvibesinthatbedroom.Ormaybehe'slivingwithaguiltyconscienceandthinksachangeofenvironmentwillmakehimfeelbetter.Eitherway,I'vegotafeelinghe'llmakeanunpleasantscene.""What'shegoingtodo?ReportyoutotheBetterBusinessBureau?""You'reright.Thereisn'tmuchhecando,isthere?Ifheisguiltyofsomething
reallyawful,hecertainlywon'twanttodrawalotofattentiontohimselfbycreatingasceneintheofficeofarespectablelocalbusinessperson.""Sowhyaren'tyourushingtobackoutofthatFridayappointment?""Youknowwhy."Zoeatethelastanchovy,satback,andmetArcadia'seyes."Whatifhereallydidmurderhiswife?""Allyouknowrightnowisthatsomethingnastyoccurredinthatbedroom."
"Allyouknowrightnowisthatsomethingnastyoccurredinthatbedroom.""Yes."Arcadiastudiedherforalongmomentandthensighedsoftlywithanairof
surrenderingtotheinevitable."Andyou,beingyou,can'tletitgo.""It'ssortofahardthingtoblockoutofmymind,"Zoesaidapologetically."Okay,okay,Iunderstand."Arcadiatookadaintybiteofsalad."We'vegotto
thinkthisthroughbeforewemakeanydecisions.""Well,onethingisforsure,Ican'tdothelogicalthingandgotothecops.""No,"Arcadiasaidimmediately."That'snotanoption.They'dlaughinyour
faceifyoutoldthemyouthoughtyou'dpickedupsomebadenergyvibesfromaclient'sbedroom.""MaybeIcouldphoneinananonymoustip?PretendIsawsomething
suspicioushappeningatthathouseandaskthemtoinquireintothecurrentwhereaboutsofMrs.JenniferMason?""Ifnoonehasfiledamissingpersonreport,Idoubtyou'dgettheirattention,"
Arcadiareplied."You'renotamemberofthefamily.Youneverevenmetthewoman.""True.AndevenifIsomehowmanagedtoconvincethemtosearchMason's
residence,theywouldn'tfindmuchinthewayofevidence.Ioughttoknow.Iwentthrougheveryroommyself,thismorning,includingthelinencloset.""It'spossiblethatwhatevertookplaceinthatbedroomhadnothingtodowith
theMasons.Maybeitoccurredbeforetheyboughtthehouse.""Maybe.ButMasontoldmethatheandhiswifemovedinshortlyafterthey
weremarried.Igottheimpressionthatwasaboutayearandahalfago.IthinkthatwhatIfeltinthatbedroomoccurredmorerecently.""Butyoucan'tbesure,right?"
"No,"Zoeadmitted."Whentheemotionsareverypowerful,theycanlinger
foralongtime.""Thenitispossiblethattheeventsinthebedroomcouldpredatethearrivalof
theMasons.""Well,yes.It'spossible."Butnotlikely,Zoeaddedsilently.Therewasafaded
qualitytotheoldstuffthatshehadlearnedtodetect,evenifshecouldnotdescribethedifference.Whatshehadfeltthisafternoonwasfresh."Look,itshouldn'tbetoohardtofindoutifMrs.Masonisstillaliveandwell.Ifshe'shappilysunbathingtoplessintheSouthofFrance,Icanrelaxandassumethatherhusbanddidnotmurderher.""Right."Arcadialookedsomewhatrelieved."WhatIneed,"Zoesaid,"isaprivateinvestigator.I'llbetanexpertcouldgo
onlineandgetmetheanswersIneedinhalfanhour."Shejumpedtoherfeet."Backinasecond.""Whereareyougoing?""Insidetofindaphonebook."Shehurriedintotheinteriorofthesmalleateryandspottedawornsetof
yellowpagesonthedeskbehindthefrontcounter.Sheaskedifshecouldborrowit.Theclerkshruggedandhandedittoher.Shecarriedthephonebookbackoutside,satdownatthetable,andopenedit.ThereweretwolistingsunderInvestigators.ThefirstwasforRadnorSecuritySystems.Itfeaturedafull-pagedisplayad
thatofferedemployeebackgroundandduediligencechecks,corporatesecurityseminars,securityguardsforbusinesses,andthelatestinonlineinvestigativetechnology.
ThesecondcompanywasnamedTruaxInvestigations.Thetinyadoccupieda
smallspaceapproximatelytwoincheslongandoneinchhighonthepage.ItclaimedthatthefirmhadbeenincontinuousoperationinWhisperingSpringsformorethanfortyyears.Italsoguaranteedprivacyandconfidentialitytoallclients.TherewasaphonenumberandanaddressonCobaltStreet."LookslikeI'vegotachoicebetweenalargecompanywithacorporate
emphasisorasmallfirmthathasbeeninbusinesshereintownforquiteawhile."ZoestudiedtheTruaxInvestigationsad."Probablyaone-manoperation.""Gowiththebigcompany,"Arcadiaadvised."Moreresourcesandmore
guaranteeofgettingsomeonewhoknowshowtodotheonlinestuff.Butitwillprobablybepricier.""Howexpensivecanasimplesearchlikethisbe?"Zoedugherphoneoutof
thetote."AllIwanttoknowiswhetherornotMrs.JenniferMasonhasusedherchargecardsoraccessedherbankaccountrecently.Pieceofcakeforaninvestigator,I'msure."SheenteredthenumberforRadnorSecuritySystemsandwaspromptly
greetedbyaprofessional-soundingreceptionist.Shemadeaquickinquiryregardingfeesandhungupfastwhenshegottheanswer."Well?"Arcadiaasked."Inhindsight,itappearsthatmyobservationofamomentagowassomewhat
naive.Itturnsoutthat,contrarytowhatIassumed,thissortofsearchcanbeveryexpensive.Notonlywasthehourlyrateveryhigh,butinaddition,thereisanonrefundableminimumfeewhichisequivalenttothreehoursofinvestigativetime."Arcadiaraisedoneshoulderinasmall,resignedshrug."Obviouslytheydon't
wanttoencouragesmallaccounts.Trythelittleagency.Mightbehungrier."Shepaused."Alsomightbelesschanceofcomplications."Zoelookedather.Therewasnoneedtogointothefinenuancesofjustwhat
Zoelookedather.Therewasnoneedtogointothefinenuancesofjustwhatthetermcomplicationsmeant.Theybothknewhowcarefullythismatterwouldhavetobehandlediftheyweretoavoidattractingunwantedattentiontothemselves."Okay,I'llcallTruax."Zoepickedupthephoneagain,tryingtostaypositive.
"It'sprobablythebestwaytogo,anyway.Afterall,ifhe'sbeeninbusinessformorethanfortyyears,hemustbegettingon.Arealold-fashionedkindofinvestigator.I'llbethehasatonofcontactsinthecommunityandwiththepolice.IfJenniferMasonis,indeed,missing,hemightevenbeabletoconvincethecopstolookintothesituationwithoutexplainingwhy.""Justmakesurehekeepsyournameoutofit."ZoeglancedattheadforTruaxInvestigationsagainwhileshelistenedtothe
ringingontheotherendoftheline."Itsaysrightherethathe'sreallybigonprivacyforhisclients.I'llbethe'sbuilthisreputationonhisabilitytomaintainconfidentiality.""Whatreputation?"Arcadiaasked."Neitherofushadeverheardofhimuntil
youopenedthatphonebook.""Justgoestoshowhowgoodheisatkeepingalowprofile."Shefrowned
whensherealizedthatnoonewasrushingtopickupthephoneatTruaxInvestigations.Shewaitedthroughafewmoreringsandthengaveup."Outtolunch?"Arcadiaaskeddryly."Lookslikeit.TheaddressisonCobaltStreet.That'sjustafewblocksfrom
here.I'llwalkoverandtalktothepersoninchargeassoonaswefinish.""You'resureyouwanttodothis?""Yes."Sheclosedthephonebookandpickedupherunfinishedtea.Asense
ofsatisfactionflowedthroughher,liftingherspirits.Ormaybethatwasthefoodandcaffeinetakingeffect,shethought."Youknow,I'vegotagoodfeelingaboutthis.HiringTruaxistherightwaytogo.Iknowit.""Thinkso?"
"Yes."Arcadiashookherheadonce,hersilver-glossedmouthcurvedslightlyina
rare,wrysmile."Thethingthatneverceasestoamazemeaboutyou,Zoe,isyourseeminglybottomlesswellofoptimism.IfIdidn'tknowyoubetter,I'dswearyoutookdrugstomaintainsuchanirrationalviewoftheuniverse.""SoI'maglass-half-fullkindofperson.""AndI'maworst-case-scenariotype.Doyousometimeswonderwhyweget
alongsowell?""ThewayIseeit,wesortofbalanceeachother,andwedidbothgraduate
fromthesamealmamater.""TogoodoldXanadu."Arcadiaraisedherespressocupandclinkeditlightly
againstZoe'steaglass.Afleetingrageglitteredbrieflyinhereyes."Mayitsinkintoanunderseavolcanoanddisappearforever."Zoestoppedsmiling."I'lldrinktothat."
ChapterThreeZoe'sbrightbubbleofoptimismthreatenedtoburstwhensheturnedthe
cornerintoCobaltStreet.Itwasamazinghowfastthecharacterofatowncouldchangewithinafewblocks.Thefashionableshopsandthemodernbusinessdistrictwereonlyashortdistanceaway,buttheymightaswellhavebeeninadifferentdimension.HereonCobaltStreettherewasadated,slightlyseedyair.Thebuildingsweremostlytwo-storystructuresdoneintheclassic
SouthwesternversionoftheSpanishColonialstyle.Thestuccoexteriorshadroundededges,archeddoorways,anddeep-setwindows.Theroofswereredtile.Theoldtrees,nodoubtplantedmanyyearsagobeforethecitycouncilhadbeguntofretaboutwaterconservation,createdashadycanopy.Inthemiddleoftheblock,Zoepausedtochecktheaddressshehadwritten
down.Therewasnomistake.Shewasstandinginfrontof49CobaltStreet.Shecrossedasmallpatioandstudiedthegrimy-windoweddirectory.Truax
Investigationswasontheupperfloor.Mostoftheotherofficesappearedtobeemptyexceptforoneonthegroundfloorlabeledsingle-mindedbooks.Sheopenedthefrontdoorandhesitatedafractionofasecondonthe
threshold.Shehadalreadylearnedonelessontoday,sheremindedherself.Andolderbuildingswereoftentheworst.Nothingterriblehappened.Nofierceorviolentemotionsemanatedfromthe
walls.Thehallwayinfrontofherwassunkdeepingloom,butshedidn'tthinkanyonehadkilledanybodyhere.Atleastnotlately.Shewenttowardthestaircase.WhenshepassedSingle-MindedBooks,she
noticedthatthedoorwasclosed.Theproprietorwasevidentlynotkeenonencouragingwalk-inbusiness.Sheclimbedthesqueaky,badlylitstairstothesecondfloorandwentwarily
downadingyhall.Thereweretwoclosed,unmarkeddoors.Thethirdonehada
downadingyhall.Thereweretwoclosed,unmarkeddoors.Thethirdonehadasmallsigntackedtoit.TruaxInvestigations.Itstoodpartwayopen,revealingadiminterior.Shehesitated,wonderingifshewasabouttomakeaseriousmistake.Maybeit
wouldbebettertogowiththelarger,corporatesecurityagencyontheothersideoftown.Sowhatifitsservicescostthreeorfourtimesasmuch?Yougotwhatyoupaidforinthisworld.Ontheotherhand,shewashereandtimewasoftheessence.Andmoney,
unfortunately,wasafactor,especiallynowthatitlookedlikeMr.IdealClientmightnotbequitesoideal.Shepushedopenthedoorandsteppedcautiouslyinside.Butonceoverthe
threshold,sherelaxed.Therewasnothingalarminginthesewalls.Shetookstockofthesurroundings.Youcouldtellalotaboutabusinessand
itsownerbythemannerinwhichtheofficewasmaintained,sheremindedherself.Ifthatdictumwastrue,itlookedlikeTruaxInvestigationswasinbadshape
financially.Eitherthat,ortheproprietorhadnotseenfittoinvestanyoftheprofitsbackintothereceptionarea.Therewasanold-fashionedvintagelooktotheheavywoodensecretarialdesk
andthelargeoverstuffedleatherchairs,buttheywerenotthekindofperiodpiecesthatwouldinterestanantiquesdealer.Peopledidn'tcollectfurniturelikethis,butitwassturdyandbuilttolast.Thedeskandthechairswereusedandworn,buttheywouldneverbreakdownorwearout.Ifyoueverdecidedtogetridofthem,you'dhavetohaulthemofftoalandfill.Shewashalftemptedtotakeouthercamera.Theplacewouldhavemadea
greatblack-and-whiteshot.Shecouldseethepictureinherhead,broodingandmoodyandatmosphericwiththehazyafternoonlightslantingthroughtheblinds.Therewasaphoneonthedesk,butshesawnoevidenceofacomputer.That
didnotbodewell.Shehadbeencountingonaninvestigatorwhowasconversantintechnologytogethertheanswersshewantedinahurry.Thelackofa
intechnologytogethertheanswersshewantedinahurry.Thelackofasecretaryorreceptionistwasnotencouraging,either.Whatreallyworriedher,though,wasthestackofcardboardpackingboxes
thatoccupiedathirdofthesmallspace.Manyofthemweresealed.Afewstoodopen.Shecrossedtothenearestone,glancedinside,andsawagoosenecklampand
severalshrink-wrappedpackagesofnew,unusednotepadsinvarioussizes.Halfwerethesmallthree-by-fivetypethatfitintoaman'sshirtpocket.Therestwerelarge,eight-and-a-half-by-elevenlegalruletablets.Therewerealsoseveralold,well-thumbedbooks.Someonewaspackinguptheoffice.Herheartsank.TruaxInvestigationswas
intheprocessofclosingitsdoors.Forsomereason,shewasunabletoresistthecompulsionofcuriosity.
Reachingintothebox,shepluckedout.oneoftheheavyvolumesandglancedatthetitleonthespine.AHistoryofMurderinLate-Nineteenth-CenturySanFrancisco.Sheputitbackintotheboxandtookoutanother.InvestigatingViolenceand
MurderinColonialAmerica."Cheerfulbedtimereading,"shemuttered."Jeff?Theo?Abouttimeyoutwogotback."Zoestartedanddroppedthebookbackintothebox.Thevoicecamefromthe
inneroffice.Aman'svoice–notloudbutdarkandresonantwithanaturalairofauthority.Voiceslikethatmadeherwary."Ihopeoneofyourememberedmycoffee.We'vestillgotalotofworkahead
ofusthisafternoon."Zoeclearedherthroat."Thisisn'tJeff.OrTheo,either,forthatmatter."
Zoeclearedherthroat."Thisisn'tJeff.OrTheo,either,forthatmatter."Therewasashortsilencefromtheinnerroom.Thedoorsqueakedonits
hingesaswhoeverwasontheothersidepulleditwide.Amancametostandintheopening,onepowerful-lookinghandgrippingthe
edgeofthedoor.Helookedoutfromtheshadows,contemplatingherwithanenigmaticexpressionthatwasprobablymeanttopassforpoliteinquiry.Hedidn'thavethekindofeyesthatcoulddopoliteinquirywell,shethought.Theywereaninterestingshadeofamberbrown.ShehadseensimilareyesontheNatureChannelandinwildlifeshotsinNationalGeographic.Theyusuallywentwiththecreaturesthatpossessedthesharpestteeth.Hewasdressedinapairofclose-fittingkhakitrousers,whichrodelowonhis
hips,andacrisplypressedwhiteshirt.Thecollaroftheshirtwasopenandthesleeveswererolleduponhisforearms,revealingdarkhairinbothplaces.Thespiralwirebindingofathree-by-fivenotepadstuckoutofthechestpocket.Hisstanceinthedoorwayimpliedsupplemusclesandaninnateconfidence.
Herself-defenseinstructorwouldnodoubtdescribehimascentered.Hewasnotexceptionallytall,onlyaboutmediumheight,buttherewasasleek,compactpowerinhisshoulders.Hegavetheunmistakableimpressionthathewasincompletecommandofhimself.Maybetoafault,shethought.Hishairhadnodoubtoncebeensodarkastobemistakenforblackinthe
shadows.Buttherewereshardsofsilveratthetemplesandelsewherenow.Theyharmonizedwellwiththecrinklesofexperienceatthecornersofhiseyesandthebracketsthatframedhismouth.Thefacefitthatquiet,authoritativevoice–nothandsomebutstrongand
compelling.Bothbelongedtothesortofmanotherswouldautomaticallylooktoinacrisisbutwhocouldbeextremelyirritatingtherestofthetimebecausehewouldalwaysbeinchargeandwouldnothesitatetoletyouknowit.Hehadalotincommonwithhisfurniture:wellusedandwornaroundthe
edges,buthewouldprobablyneverbreakdownorwearout.Likethedeskandchairs,you'dhavetohaulhimofftothelandfillifyouwantedtogetridofhim,andthatwouldbenoeasytask.
IfthiswastheMr.TruaxofTruaxInvestigations,theadinthephonebook
wasguiltyofseveremisrepresentation.Thismanhadsomeinterestingmileageonhim,buthecertainlywasn'theadingintohisdotage."Sorry.Iwasonthestepladder.Didn'tseeyoucomein.WhatcanIdofor
you?"heasked.Thedarkvoicebroughtherbacktohersenses.Sherealizedthatshehadbeen
holdingherbreath,asifthismomentandthismanwereveryimportantinsomewayshedidnotyetfullycomprehend.Let'strytostayfocusedhere,shethought.Breathe.Soyouhaven'thadmuch
ofasociallifelately,that'snoexcusetostareatstrangemen."IcametoseeMr.Truax,"shesaidwithwhatshethoughtwascommendable
aplombunderthecircumstances."That'dbeme."Sheclearedherthroat."YouaretheTruaxofTruaxInvestigations?""Asofthreedaysagoaccordingtothedateonmybusinesslicense.Thename
isEthanTruax,bytheway.""Idon'tunderstand.Thephonebookadstatedthatyou'vebeenservingthe
communityformorethanfortyyears.""Myuncleputthatadinthebook.Heretiredlastmonth.I'mtakingoverthe
business.""Isee."Shewavedahandtoindicatethepackingboxes."You'removingin,
notout?""That'stheplan.""DoyoumindifIaskhowlongyou'velivedhereinWhisperingSprings?"
Hegavethatsomethought."Alittlemorethanamonth."Somuchfordealingwithaninvestigatorwhohadextensivecontactsinthe
communityandwithlocallawenforcement,shethought.TherewasstilltimetocallRadnorSecuritySystems.Ofcoursetherewasthenot-so-littleissueofprice,butmaybeshecouldnegotiateanextendedpaymentschedulewiththelargerfirm.Shetookastepbacktowardthedoor."You'renewtothisprofession,then?""No.IownedandoperatedanagencyinLosAngelesforseveralyears."Thatshouldhavebeenreassuringnews.Whywasn'tshefeelingreassured?"Thisprobablyisn'tagoodtimeforyou,"shesaidquickly."I'msureyou're
verybusygettingunpackedandorganized.""Nottoobusytotakeonaclient.Whydon'tyoucomeintomyofficeandtell
mewhyyouneedaninvestigator?"Itwasnotexactlyarequest,shenoticed.Notquiteacommand,either.More
ofaglitteringluredesignedtodrawherintostrikingdistance.Shehadtomakeadecision.Thebottomlineherewastimeandmoney.She
didnothavealotofeither.Shetightenedhergriponthehandleofthechartreusetoteandtriedtolook
likeawomanwhohiredseedyprivateinvestigatorsonafrequentbasis."Howmuchdoyouchargeforyourservices,Mr.Truax?""Comeinandsitdown."Hemoveddeeperintohisoffice,beckoningher
closerwiththesubtleinvitation."Wecandiscussthefinancialaspectsofthearrangement."Shecouldnotcomeupwithagoodreasonnottoatleastgetacostestimate.
"Allright."Shelookedbrieflyatherwatch."ButIdon'thavealotoftime.Ifwecan'tagreeonyourfees,Iwillhavetocallsomeoneelse.""TheonlyotheragencyintownisRadnor.""I'mawareofthat,"shesaidcoolly.Thiswasbusiness.Shedidnotwanthim
tothinkthatshehadnotdoneherresearchasaconsumer."Theyappeartobeverycutting-edge.Iwastoldthattheyusethelatesthigh-techmethods.""They'vegotcomputers,ifthat'swhatyoumean,butI'vegotone,too.""Really?"Shelookedaroundverypointedly."Where?""Inhere.I'mstillworkingongettingitsetup.""Oh.""IcanguaranteeyouthatI'mlessexpensivethanRadnor.""Well–""Andthere'sanotheraspectyoumaywanttotakeintoconsideration."His
mouthcurvedfaintlyatthecorners."Beingnewintown,I'malsoahellofalothungrier."Shealmostboltedforthedoor."Yes,well–""Andmoreflexible."Shebracedherselfandwalkedtowardtheinneroffice.Itwaslikewalking
throughDoorNumberThreeonatelevisiongameshow,shethought,thedoorthatconcealedthemysteryprize.Youmightgetanall-expense-paidtriptoParis,oryoumightloseeverythingyouhadmanagedtowinuptothatpoint.Shepausedbrieflyatthethreshold,waitingtoseewhatwouldgreether.But
therewasnothingterribleintheroom,justthefainttracesofsensationthatshe
therewasnothingterribleintheroom,justthefainttracesofsensationthatshehadlearnedtoexpectinoldbuildings.Shepickedupafewwhispersofsadness,someanxiety,andalittleresidualanger–allofitfromlongagoandverylow-level.Nothingshecouldnotblockeasily."Somethingwrong?"Ethanasked.Withastart,sherealizedhewaswatchingherveryintently.Mostpeople
neverseemedtonoticeherslighthesitationuponenteringaroom.ThefactthatEthanTruaxhadobservedthattinypauseworriedherforsomereason.Sheremindedherselfthathewasaprivateinvestigatorandpeopleinthatlineweresupposedtonoticethings."No,ofcoursenot,"shereplied.Shewentquicklytothehuge,overstuffed,oversizedarmchairthatsatinfront
ofthedesk.Italmostswallowedherwholewhenshesatdowninit.Ethanwentbehindhisdesk,amassive,scarredhunkofoakthatwaseven
largerandsturdierthantheoneintheotherroom,andsatdown.Thechairgaveasqueakofprotest.Sheexaminedtheroomwithwhatshetoldherselfwasprofessionalinterest
butwhichshesuspectedwasactuallydeeppersonalcuriosity.EverythingconnectedtoEthanTruaxfascinatedherforsomestrangereason,andyoucouldtellsomuchaboutapersonbythespaceheorsheinhabited.Theinnerofficewasfurnishedwiththesamekindofwindowtreatmentand
thesametypeofsubstantial,old-fashioned,masculinepiecesshehadseenintheotherroom.Shehadtoadmitthattheyinvokedacertainperiodatmosphereandmadeastatementthatsuitedthefictionalimageoftheprivateinvestigationbusiness.Butinheropinion,theclientchairinwhichshesatwasfartoolargeandtoo
overwhelmingtomakeavisitorfeelcomfortable.Furthermore,Truax'smassivedeskwasnotintherightplaceintheroomtocreatethebestenergyflow.Inadditiontherewasamirrorhangingonthewallthatwasbothbadlyproportionedandbadlypositioned.
Severalheavymetalfilingcabinetswerelinedupsidebysideagainsttherear
wall.Theywereancientandnotparticularlyattractive,butshesupposedaninvestigatorneededaplaceforfiles.Newbookshelveshadbeenrecentlyinstalledoneithersideofthedoor.
Unfortunately,Truaxhadchosentogowithinexpensivemetalshelvingthatdidnothingtoaddtotheambienceoftheroom.Halfoftheshelveswerealreadyloadedwithvolumes.Shecouldseemoreofthesamesortofimpressive,academic-lookingtomesshehadseeninthepackingboxoutside.Whowouldhaveexpectedaprivateinvestigatortopossessaseriousbook
collection?Maybeherconceptoftheprofession,formedasithadbeenbymysterynovels,television,andoldfilms,wasnotentirelyaccurate.Ethan'ssurroundingsdidnotanswerhersilentquestions;insteadtheyraised
newonesandmadeherallthemorecuriousabouthim.Onethingwasclear,hecommandedhisspace;itdidnotcommandhim.Ethanopenedadeskdrawer,tookoutayellownotepad,andputitonthedesk
infrontofhim."Whydon'twestartwithyourname?""ZoeLuce.Iownadesignfirmhereintown.EnhancedInteriors.""You'readecorator,"hesaidflatly."Interiordesigner.""Whatever.""Doyouhavesomesortofunderlyinghostilitytowardpeopleinmy
profession?""Ihadabadexperiencewithadecoratoronce.""Well,fortherecord,"Zoesaid,"IthinkthatI'mhavingareallybad
experiencewithaprivateinvestigator.Thiscouldcolormyattitudetowardfolks
experiencewithaprivateinvestigator.Thiscouldcolormyattitudetowardfolksinyourfieldforyearstocome."Hetappedthepenonthenotepadandcontemplatedherinsilenceforawhile."Sorry,"hesaideventually."Let'strythisagain.Whatdoyouwantmetodo
foryou,ZoeLuce?""Ithoughtweweregoingtotalkaboutmoneyfirst.""Oh,yeah.Ialmostforgot."Heputdownthepen,restedhisarmsonthedesk,
andlinkedhisfingers."LikeIsaid,ifyou'reshoppingbyprice,you'restuckwithme.MyhourlyratesareconsiderablylessthanthosechargedoveratRadnor,andIhaveonlyatwo-hourminimum."Thatnewshadanelevatingeffectonhermood."Whataboutexpenses?
Mileageandmeals,thatkindofthing?""Youaren'tresponsibleformileageormealswithinthecitylimits.Youwill
bebilledformiscellaneousexpensesandforanycostsincurredifIhavetotraveloutsideWhisperingSprings.Don'tworry,you'llgetreceipts."HethinksI'manidiot.Annoyed,shecrossedherlegsverydeliberately.She
satbackintothedepthsofthevoluminouschair,trustingtofatethatshewouldnotgeteatenalivebythemonster,andsmiledcoolly."Inthatcase,Iwouldliketopurchasetheminimumtwohours,"shesaid."I'm
surethejobwon'ttakeeventhatmuchtime.""Backgroundcheckonanewmaleacquaintance?"heaskedwithno
inflection."Goodheavens,no,nothinglikethat."Shefrowned."Doyougetalotof
requestslikethat?"Heshrugged."Notyet.You'remyfirstclienthereinWhisperingSprings.But
itwasafairlycommonrequestinL.A."
"Iguessthatisn'tsosurprising."Sheconsideredthesubjectforafewseconds."Imean,itmakesalotofsensetocheckoutapotentialdateifyouthinkthingsmightgetserious.""EspeciallyinL.A."heagreeddryly."AllIwantyoutodoislocatesomeone.""Whodoyouwantmetofind,MissLuce?"Hepausedwithanairofgrave
politeness."ItisMiss,isn'tit?OrshouldIcallyouMs.orMrs.?""I'mnotmarried,"shesaidveryprecisely.Shedidnotwanthimcallingher
MissorMs.Luce.Itsoundedridiculouslyformal.Shealsodidnotwanthiminquiringintoherpastmaritalstatus."MakeitZoe.""Fine.Whodoyouwantmetofind,Zoe?"Shebreatheddeeplyandpreparedtopickherwaythroughtheminefield.She
neededtogivehimenoughinformationtodohisjobbutnotenoughtomakehimconcludethatshewasloony-tunes.Andshedefinitelydidnotwanttogivehimthekindofdetailsthatwouldarouseanycuriosityaboutherpersonally."IwouldlikeyoutofindawomannamedMrs.JenniferMason.Icangiveyou
herlastaddresshereintown.Ibelieveshelivedthereuntilafewmonthsago."Heunlinkedhisfingers,pickedupthepenagain,andbeganmakingmore
notesontheyellowpad."Friendofyours?"heaskedwithoutlookingup."Relative?""Neither.She'sthewifeofamannamedDavisMason.HelivesinDesert
View."Ethandidglanceupatthat."Thefancygatedgolf-coursecommunityjust
outsideoftown?""Yes.Mr.Masonrecentlyhiredmetoredesigntheinteriorsofhisresidence."
"Residence,"Ethanrepeatedneutrally."Wouldthatbewhatyouinterior
decoratorsliketocallahouse?"EthanTruaxwasbecomingmoreirritatingbytheminute."Inthefieldofinteriordesign,"shesaid,emphasizingthelastword,"theword
residenceisgenerallyfelttobeamoregracioustermforaclient'slivingspace.Thetermconveysasenseofpermanenceandelegance.Itimpliesacultivatedlifestyle.Peopleliketoassociatethosequalitieswiththeirhomes.""Alifestylething,huh?"Helookedamused."Ofcourse,ifyouhavetroublewiththelongerword,"sheaddedsweetly,
"pleasefeelfreetousetheshorterone.""Thanks,I'lldothat.AnyideawhereMrs.JenniferMasonmayhavegone?""No.Davis,herhusband,toldmethatshewalkedoutonhimacouplemonths
agoandthattheyareintheprocessofgettingadivorce.Ijustwanttoconfirmthatfact."Ethanraisedhisbrows."Areyousurethisisn'tabackgroundcheckona
potentialdate?""DavisMasonisaclient,"shesaidcoldly."Ifthat'sthecase,whyareyousoconcernedwiththewhereaboutsofhisnot-
quite-ex-wife?"Thequestionworriedher."Doyouneedtoknowmyreasonsbeforeyouagree
totakethejob?""No.Notatthispoint,atanyrate.""Youradinthephonebookstressesyourconcernforprivacyand
confidentiality."
"Thatwasmyuncle'sad,notmine."Awhisperofuncertaintytingledthroughher.Sherestedherhandsonthe
overstuffedarmsofthebigchair,preparingtopushherselfupoutofitscushionedjaws."IfyouintendtoalterwhatItooktobethelongstandingbusinesspracticesof
thisagency,"shesaid,"I'dliketoknowaboutitbeforethisconversationgoesanyfurther.Asyoupointedout,Idohaveanotheroption."Heputdownthepenandleanedbackinthechair."Therewillbenochangein
thisfirm'sconcernforclientconfidentiality.""Good."Sherelaxedalittle."ButIliketoknowasmuchaspossibleaboutwhatI'mgettingintobeforeI
startaninvestigation."Itwasherturntoraiseherbrows."I'mherebecauseIwasunderthe
impressionthatoneconsultsaprivateinvestigatorwhenonedoesnotwishtoexplainallthereasonswhyoneneedsthatparticulartypeofprofessionalassistance."Hishardmouthquirkedalittle."Isthatright?"Shewassimmeringnow,butshefelttrappedbyfinancialconsiderationsand
thetighttimeframe.SheneededanswersandsheneededthembeforeFriday."Doyouwantthisjobornot,Mr.Truax?""Iwantit.Sorry,ifthequestionsbotheryou,butI'mjustgathering
information.It'swhatIdo,Zoe.""AllIwantisforyoutolocateMrs.JenniferMason.Howhardcanthatbefor
aprofessionalinvestigator?Surelyit'sjustamatterofcheckingtoseeifshe'susinghercreditcardsorcheckbook,right?Anyhighschoolkidcouldprobablydoit."
"Yeah.LatelyI'vestartedtoworryalotaboutthecompetitionfromhigh
schoolkids."Nowsheknewforcertainthathewasmockingher.Sheshovedherself
halfwayupoutofthechair.Itwasn'teasydisengagingherselffromthemouthofthebeast."Ifyoufeelthatthejobisbeyondyourabilities,"shesaidgrimly,"orthatyou
can'tdoitwithoutadditionalinformation,justsaysoandI'llgofindmyselfabrighthighschoolkid.""Sitdown."Hepaused."Please."Itwasnotanorder,notexactly.Howcoulditbe?Itwasn'tasthoughhecould
forcehertositbackdowninthebigchair.Theproblemwasthatshehadbeenbluffing,andhehadguessedasmuch.Shesat."Doyouordoyounotintendtoinvestigate?""I'llfindMrs.JenniferMasonforyou.ButI'dbettermakeonethingclear.I'm
notgoingtogiveyouanycontactinformationunlessanduntilI'msureshewantsyoutoknowwheresheis.Understood?"Thatcaughtheroffguard."Waitasecond.DoyouthinkIwanttoknowher
currentaddresssothatIcandosomethingtoher?""Ithappens."Sheshuddered."Yes,Isupposeitdoes.Well,restassured,Idon'tcarewhere
shelives.Ihavenointentionofcontactingher.""Youjustwanttoknowthatshe'soutofDavisMason'slife,isthatit?"Hewasn'tgoingtoletitgountilshecameupwithaconvincingreasonfor
wantingtocheckonthewhereaboutsofJenniferMason.Maybetheeasiestwaytohandlethiswastotakethefirstexcusehehadoffered.
"Allright,"shesaid,tryingtosoundresigned."Asyousuggested,thisisa
personalmatterforme.Davisisaclientbutheisalsoasuccessful,intelligent,attractiveman,andheseemsinterestedinme,ifyouknowwhatImean.""Uh-huh.Iknowwhatyoumean."Sheglared,suspiciousofhistone,buthejustsatthere,waiting.She
recognizedthetactic.Dr.McAlistair,hertherapistatXanaduhademployedit.Theinterrogationtechniquewasbasedonthefactthatmostpeoplewereuncomfortablewithsilence,gotnervous,andtendedtostarttalkingtofillthevacuum.TherealizationthatTruaxwasattemptingtousethesameapproachas
McAlistairpissedheroff.SheremindedherselfthatitwasnothingpersonalinTruax'scase.Hejustwantedanswers."AsItoldyou,Davisledmetobelievethathe'sgettingdivorced.I'dliketobe
surethathe'sgenuinelyfree,orabouttobecomefree,toengageinanother,uh,serious,committedrelationship."Ethandidnotmove,buthiseyesneverleftherface."Okay."Shewasnotsurehowtotakethat."Okay?Youmeanyou'llgetbusyand
investigatenow?""No.""Thatdoesit,I'vehadenough."Shedidgetoutofthechairthistime.Allthe
wayout."I'veaskedyoutodoasimplesearchandI'vegivenyoumyreason,eventhoughitwasextremelypersonalandIresenttheprobeintomyprivatelife.Whatmorecanyoupossiblywant?""Anadvancefortwohours'worthofmytime.Creditcard,check,ormoney
orderwillbefine.""Doesthismeanyou'retakingthejob?"
"Yes,ma'am.Likeyou,I'mnotinapositiontoberealchoosyatthemoment.
I'mtryingtogetabusinessupandrunninghere."Sheyankedopenthetoteandpulledoutherwallet,removedacreditcard,and
tosseditontothedesk."Here.Getbusy."Hepickedupthecard,gottohisfeet,andwenttoasmallsidetablewherea
creditcardmachinesat.Shewatchedhimpunchinsomenumbersandswipehercard."Youknow,I
can'thelpbutnoticethateventhoughyouhaven'thadtimetosetupyourcomputer,you'vemanagedtogetyourcreditcardauthorizationmachineconnected.""Firstthingsfirst.""Icancertainlyseehowyourankyourpriorities,Mr.Truax.Alwaysgetpaid
inadvance,isthatit?""I'mnotrunningacharitablefoundation.""Don'tworry,I'dneverinamillionyearsmakethemistakeofthinkingthat
youmightbethebenevolenttype."Shegavetheofficeanothercriticalglancewhileshewaitedforthemachinetospitoutthecreditcardslip.Ifshehadanysense,shewouldkeephermouthshut,shethought.Butshecouldnotresisttheurgetogivehimsomefreeadvice."Youknow,ifIwereyou,I'dgetasmallerclientchair.Thisoneistoolarge.It'snotinviting.""Maybeyou'rejusttoosmallforthechair."Hesoundedsupremely
disinterested.Hisattentionwasfixedontheslipofpapercomingoutofthemachine.That'sit,shethought.Notanotherword,sohelpme.Ifthemanwastoo
stubborntotakesomegoodadvice,thatwashisproblem.Butthedeskworriedherevenmorethanthechair.Andthentherewasthepoorlypositionedmirror.Sheclearedherthroat.
Sheclearedherthroat."Itwouldalsobeagoodideatomovethatdeskovertherenearthewindow,
andI'dsuggestthatyoutakedownthemirrororatleastshiftittotheotherwall,"shesaidinalittlerush."Itwouldcreateamorecalmingenergyflow."Hegaveherasidelonglook."Energyflow?"Shehadbeenright.Thiswasacompletewasteoftime."Forgetit.You're
probablynotfamiliarwithdesigntheoriessuchasfengshuithatareusedtoorganizeaharmoniousenvironment.""I'veheardofthem."Herippedthepaperoutofthemachineandhandeditto
her."ButI'mnotintodecoratingtrends.""WhyamInotsurprised?"Shesnatchedthecreditcardslipfromhim,glanced
atthetotalamount,andwinced.LessthanRadnorbutcertainlynotexactlyabargain,shethought.Asifheknewwhatwasgoingthroughhermind,Ethan'smouthcurved
humorlessly."I'mcheap,butI'mnotfree."Shesighed,pickedupapen,andscrawledhername.Hetookthesignedslipfromherandexamineditwithanexpressionofkeen
satisfaction."Youknow,thisisaspecialmomentforme.""Inwhatway?""ThisrepresentsmyfirstprofessionalbusinesstransactionhereinWhispering
Springs.Ishouldprobablyframethis.Justthink,yournamecouldhangonmywallforyears.""Alongwithmycreditcardnumber.Nothanks.IfIwereyou,Iwouldn'tget
tooexcitedaboutthis,Mr.Truax.Ihavenointentionofbecomingarepeatclient.""Youneverknow.IfthisMasonguydoesn'tworkoutasasuitablecandidate
for,whatwasityoucalledit?Oh,yeah,aserious,committedrelationship.Ifhe
for,whatwasityoucalledit?Oh,yeah,aserious,committedrelationship.Ifhedoesn'tmakethegradeduetofailuretoobtainadivorce,youmaywantmetorunabackgroundcheckonsomeothermanforyou."Forsomeidioticreason,shesuddenlywonderedifEthanTruaxwasinto
serious,committedrelationships.Sheglancedathishandandnoticedthathewasnotwearingaweddingring.Whatwouldshediscoverifshehadsomeonerunabackgroundcheckonhim?Alotofex-girlfriends,nodoubt,maybeanex-wife.Damn.Nowshewasspeculatingonhismaritalstatus.Thiswasnotgood.She
droppedthepenshehadusedtosignthecreditcardslipintohertoteandgavehimaverybrightsmile."Don'tholdyourbreath."Shehoistedthetoteoveroneshoulder,swungaround,andwenttowardthe
door.Atleastshewouldhavethelastword,shethought."Justaminute,"Ethansaid.Sheglancedbackoverhershoulder."Nowwhat?""That'smypenyou'rewalkingoffwithinyourbag.Mindgivingitback?I'm
tryingtokeepalidonoverheadandofficeexpenses."
ChapterFourLeonGrady'sheartburnalwaysflaredupinthehushedatmosphereandplush
surroundingsofhisemployer'sofficesuite.Hehadgrownupinaworking-classneighborhoodwhere,ifyouwerelucky,wallsgotpainted,notpaneled,andthefurnitureastrimmedinplasticmadetolooklikewood,notveneeredwithexoticspeciesofactualtrees.Dr.IanHarperhadoncetoldhimthathisofficehadbeendesignedtocalm
patientsandreassuretheirfamilies.ButallthefancycarpetingandtheexpensivepicturesonthewallshadtheoppositeeffectonLeon.Hereallyhatedthisroom.Talkaboutstresstriggers.Hell,he'dbeenstandinghere,waitingforHarpertogetoffthephoneforonlyafewminutesandalreadyhecouldfeelthefirestartinginhischest.Maybeitwasoneofthoseweirdpsychologicalhangups,hethought,thekind
ofcrazyshitthefolkswhoworkedhereatCandleLakeManorwerealwaysgoingonabout.Aphobiaorsomething.Maybehedidn'tlikebeinginthisofficebecauseheassociateditwithhisworseningstomachproblems.InhispositionasheadofsecurityfortheManor,he'denduredseveralextremelyunpleasantconversationsinthisofficeoverthecourseofthepastyear.Thingshadbeengoinghalfwaydecentlyuntilthetwofemalepatientshad
disappeared.ThejobhereattheManorhadbeenthebestonehe'deverhad.Bonuses,even.Forthefirsttimeinhislifehe'dseensomegoodmoneycomingin.Andgoingoutjustasfast.Nothisfault;hehadexpenses.ThepaymentsonthePorscheandthefancysoundsystemweresteep.He'dneverbeenmuchgoodwithmoney,mostlybecausehe'dneverhad
enoughofit.Cashwentthroughhisfingerslikewater,buthereattheManorthathadbeenokaybecausetherewasalwaysanotherpaychecknextmonth.Butthenthetwopatientshadskipped,andhiscozysetuphadgonesour.His
stomachhadfollowed.
Thetimerightaftertheescapehadbeenespeciallybad.Harperhadrantedand
ravedandblamedthelousysecurity.Leonhadfearedforhisjob.Itwouldn'tbeeasyturningupanotherone,andhesureashellwouldn'tfindanythingelsewiththekindofperkshegothereattheManor.Hehadsomeproblemswithreferences.He'dfeltcorneredandpanickywhenHarperdemandedthatthetwopatients
befoundandreturnedtotheManor.He'dhadnoideahowtoconductaseriousinvestigation.TheBitchGoddess,Fenella,whoservedasHarper'sadministrativeassistant,hadacidlysuggestedthathehirearealinvestigator,oneofthosemodern,high-techtypeswhousedacomputer.Tohisprivateastonishment,he'dgottenlucky.Afewweeksafterthepatients
haddisappeared,wordhadcomebackofasmallstoryinaMexicannewspaperdetailingthedeathsoftwowomenwhohadperishedinahotelfire.Noidentificationhadbeenfoundatthescene,andtheauthoritieshadbeenunabletolocateanynextofkin.Theonlycluetothewomen'sidentitieswereaballpointpenandsomeslippers.AllthreeitemshadbeenmonogrammedwiththewordsCandleLakeManor.Leonhadbeenrelievedjusttohaveananswer.Sure,itmeantalossofincome
forHarper,buttheguywasabusinessman.Harperhadtounderstandthatsometimesyoutookafinancialhit,butthatlifewentonandyoubroughtinnewsourcesofrevenue.Actuallyinthiscase,Harperwasstillminingtheoldsources.Leonwas
impressed.Thedochadballs.Shrewdoperatorthathewas,HarpercontinuedtobilltheClelandwoman'srelativesandtheotherwoman'strustfundfortheveryexpensivefeeschargedhereattheManor.ItwasconceivablethatHarper'sclientsmightremaininblissfulignorancefor
averylongtime.TheManorwasaveryprivate,veryexclusive,veryexpensivepsychiatrichospitalsituatedontheshoresofaremotelakeinthemountainsofNorthernCalifornia.ThesleepylittletownofCandleLakewasnearby,butotherthanascatteringofsummerboatersandcampers,andsomehuntersinthefall,theplacewasallbutforgottenonthemaps.
Leonknewthatthehard-to-reachlocationwasoneofthethingsthatmadethe
ManorattractivetoHarper'sclients.Thehospitalrakedinbigbucksfromfolkswhowantedtheircrazyfamilymemberswarehousedoutofsightandoutofmind.Likesomanyotherpatientswhoserelativeshadpaiddearlytohavearelativecommittedindefinitely,thetwowomenhadnothadanyvisitors.ButHarpercouldrunhisscamontheclientswhowerepayingthefeesforthe
twowomenonlyforalimitedtime,Leonthought.SoonerorlatersomeoneconnectedtooneorbothofthemissingpatientswouldhaveareasontocometoCandleLake.Whenthatdaycame,Harperwouldbeinabindbecausehewouldnotbeabletoproducethem.AfterlearningthatthetwopatientshadapparentlydiedinMexico,Leonhad
beguntohopehisproblemsmightbeover.Then,lastweek,he'dbeencontactedonlinebythecreepwhocalledhimself,simply,GopherBoy."…understandyouarelookingforamissingpatient.Icanhelp.Myfeesare
asfollowsandarenonnegotiable…"ThatwaswhenLeon'sheartburnhadkickedinagain,bigtime.Itwasgetting
worsebythehour.Harperputdownthephone,slowlyremovedhisglasses,andlookedatLeon."I'mverybusytoday,Grady.Ihavetwointakestodealwiththisafternoon.I
trustthisisimportant?"EvenHarper'svoiceaffectedhisheartburn,Leonthought.Itwasclassy
sounding,arichman'svoice.Itremindedhimofallofthedifferencesbetweenthem.Harperwasahustler,butunlikehimself,thedochadgottenallthebreaks.Harperwasgood-looking,withalotofthick,silver-grayhairandatrim,
tennisplayer'sbuild.Somewherealongtheline,he'dgottenagoodeducation.Healsohadthekindofcharmthatheneededtosnowhiswealthyclients."Thehackercamethrough,"Leonsaid."Itcostus,butitlookslikewemay
havesomehardinformationontheClelandwoman."
havesomehardinformationontheClelandwoman.""Nottheotherone?""No."Harperfrowned,buthedidnotlookseverelydisappointed,justmildly
regretful.ItwasasifLeonhadtoldhimthatoneofthestocksinhisportfoliohadtankedbutthatanotherhadturnedinahigher-than-expectedearningsreport."Well,shewasn'tnearlyaslucrativeastheClelandwoman,"Harpersaid.
"Whathaveyougot?""AccordingtoGopherBoy,she'saliveandwellandlivingunderanothername.
HesayssomeonlineIDbrokersetupaprogramtofeedfalseandmisleadinginformationabouthertoanyonewhogoeslooking.Thatwaswhythatinvestigatorwehiredbackatthebeginningdidn'tturnupanyrealleads.""Whereisshe?"Harperaskedsharply."Iwantherpickedupimmediately."ThefireinLeon'schestflaredhigher.Heneededsomeofthetabletshekeptin
hispocket,buthedidn'tthinkitwouldlookgoodtochewtheminfrontofhisboss.Hewantedtolooklikehewascalmandincontrolhere."Notgonnabethateasy,sir,"hesaid."She'sbeingrealcareful.All
GopherBoycouldtellmeisthatshe'ssomewhereinL.A.Hedidnothaveanexactlocation.""SomewhereinL.A.?"Harper'swell-manicuredhandclenchedaroundagold
pen."Whatgooddoesthatdous?L.A.coversalotofterritory.""Yeah,butnowthatI'vegotanameandsomedetailsabouthernewID,it
won'ttakemelongtotrackherdown.Withyourpermission,sir,I'llleavethisafternoon.""Don'ttrytobringherinonyourown.Whenyou'velocatedher,stayoutof
sightandkeepherundersurveillance.Callmeimmediately.I'llsendRonand
sightandkeepherundersurveillance.Callmeimmediately.I'llsendRonandErnietoassistyou.Theycanhandlethemedicationsthatwillbeneeded.""Yes,sir."Leonclearedhisthroatandtriedtokeephistonerespectful."But
I'dliketopointoutthatonceI'vefoundthepatient,we'regonnaneedtothinkabouthowwewanttobringherin.""Themedswillmakehereasytohandle."Forallhisfancydegrees,Leon,thought,sometimesHarpercouldbeasdumb
asabrick."Thethingis,sir,theClelandwomanhasbeenlivingunderanothernamefor
ayear.Sheprobablyhasajobbynow.Thatmeanstherewillbeco-workers.Friends.Neighbors.Folkswhowillnoticeifwejustgrabheroffthestreet.""Yes,ofcourse."Harpertossedthegoldpenasideandgottohisfeet.Hewent
tothewindow."Iseewhatyoumean.We'llhavetodothisdiscreetly.""Right.SowhatI'mthinkingis,IgotoL.A.findthewoman,andwatchher
forawhile.Getafeelforherdailyroutine.Whenwenailthatdown,wecanfigureoutthebestwaytopickherupwithoutcausingafuss."HarpergazedfixedlyoutatthelakewhileheconsideredLeon'slogic.Leon'schestburned."Allright,"Harpersaideventually."Thatmakessense.Thelastthingwewanttodoistodrawattentiontothissituation.Theretrieval
mustbehandledasquietlyaspossible."Leonallowedhimselfasmallsighofreliefandtookastepbacktowardthe
door."I'vealreadymademyplanereservations.AllIneedtodoisgohomeandthrowsomethingsinasuitcase.It'salongdrivetotheairport,soI'dbettergetmoving.""Keepmeinformed."
"Keepmeinformed.""Yes,sir.""Idon'tlikethis,"Harpermuttered."ButIsupposewecanonlybegrateful
thatthisGopherBoypersoncontactedusinsteadofForrestCleland."Leonshrugged.Heknewtherewasnomysteryaboutwhythehackerhad
approachedsomeoneatCandleLakeManorfirst.GopherBoywascleverenoughtofigureouthowtheplaceworked.HeobviouslyunderstoodthatthemanagementherehadsolidfinancialreasonsforwantingtogettheClelandwomanbackwithoutraisingafussandthatprivacyandareallowprofilewerecrucialtoHarper'sprofitableoperation.Leonclearedhisthroat."GoingtoClelandwouldhavebeenawholelot
riskier.Clelandisawealthy,powerfulman,andhehasnoparticularreasontokeepthingsquiet.Hell,hemighthavecalledinthecops,whichwouldhavescrewedGopherBoy'splanroyally."Harperfrowned."HowdidGopherBoyreachtheconclusionthatIwouldbe
willingtopayforthisinformation?""Whoknows?ProbablysomethinginthatIDbroker'sfileshehackedintothat
mentionedjusthowmuchmoneyClelandispayingtokeephisrelativeunderwrapshereatCandleLake.GopherBoy'sgottaknowwhatthatincomemeanstothisplace.Maybemoreimportantisthathe'sfiguredoutthatthebigthingyou'resellinghereisaguaranteeofsilence.Thisplacecan'taffordanybadpress."Harperclenchedandunclenchedthefingersofonehand.Satisfiedthathehadmadehispoint,Leonturnedandwalkedswiftlyacross
thethickbeigecarpettothedoor.Intheouteroffice,FenellaLeedslookedupfromafileshehadopenonher
desk.Shewasacenterfolddream,blonde,blue-eyed,andgorgeous.Shewasprobablythemostbeautifulwomanhehadeverseeninreallife,buthetreatedherprettymuchthewayhewouldhavetreatedacobrathathappenedtobecoiledonthechairbehindthedesk.
HewasfairlycertainshehadscrewedHarperforawhile,buttherewasnow
somegossipgoingaroundthatshewasgettingitonwiththeguyinaccounting.Hedidnotenvyeitherman.Ifyousleptwithsnakes,youtendedtogetbitten."You'regoingtoL.AtofindtheClelandwoman?"Fenellaqueried.Itdidnotsurprisehimthatshehadsomehowlistenedintotheconversation
he'djusthadwithHarper.Hewouldn'tputitpasthertohaveataperecorderunderherdesk.HehadahunchshekeptrealgoodtabsoneverythingthatwentonaroundManor.Itwasoneofthereasonswhyhehadtobevery,verycarefuluntilhewasclearoftheplace."Yeah."Heglancedathiswatchandkeptmoving."GottagetgoingorIwon't
makemyflight."Fenelladidnotwishhimasafetrip.Shewentbacktoworkonthefile.Bythetimehereachedtherelativesafetyofthehall,theburninginhischest
wastheworstithadeverbeen,almostunbearable.Hetookthebottleoutofhispocket,unscrewedthelid,andpouredseveraltabletsintothepalmofhishand.Heshovedthemintohismouthandchewedfrantically.Heknewwhytheheartburnwassobadtoday.Itwasbecausehehadmadehis
decisionandthathadinvolvedlyingoutrighttoDr.IanHarper.Itwasascarythingtodobecauseitmeantthathewasburningallofhisbridges.HehadtoldHarperthatGopherBoyhadgivenhimonlytheClelandwoman's
newnameandthefactthatshewassomewhereinL.A.Butthatwaspurecrap.GopherBoywasahellofalotbetterthanLeonhadledHarperorFenellatobelieve.Accordingtotheinformationthehackerhadprovided,theClelandwoman
wasnotinL.A.ShewasinaplacecalledWhisperingSprings,Arizona.GopherBoyhadcomeupwithanaddressandphonenumbers,officeandhome.Everything,inshort,thatLeonneededtofindher.
Iftheinformationhadcomethroughayearago,rightafterthewomenhad
escaped,LeonknewthathewouldhavegonestraighttoHarperwiththedata.Butatsomepoint,probablythedayhenoticedthathewaspoppingtheantacidtabletseverycoupleofhours,he'darrivedatablindingrealization.HenolongerwantedtoworkforDr.IanHarper,regardlessofhowmuchthebastardpaid.Theproblemwasthat,duetohisexpensivelifestyleandhislifelonginability
tohangontoadollar,helackedthekindofnesteggherequiredforacomfortableretirement.WhenthehackerhadturnedupthelocationoftheClelandwoman,however,Leonhadbeenstruckwitharareburstofcreativity.
ChapterFive"JeffandTheotoldmethatyougotyourfirstclienttoday,"Bonniesaidfrom
theotherendofthetable."Suredid."Ethanforkedupabiteofgrilledhalibutandlookedathis
nephews,sittingoneithersideofthedinnertable."Iwouldn'tsayshewasoverlyimpressedbymyprofessionalstyle,though.Shewasinsuchabighurrytoleavethatshenearlyranyouguysdownonthestairsonherwayout.""Butyougothertopayyouinadvance,"Jeffsaidaroundamouthfulof
mashedpotatoes."Imaynothavegraduatedfirstinmyclassfromcharmschool,"Ethansaid,
"butIdoknowsomethingaboutrunningabusiness.Thefirstruleisalwaysgettheadvancebeforetheclientleavestheoffice."Jeffgrinned.Hewaseight,twoyearsolderthanhisbrother.Hestillhadallthe
awkwardnessofboyhood,butwhenhesmiledlikethat,Ethanthought,thekidlookedexactlylikehisfather.Ethanglanceddownthetableandcaughtthewistfulexpressionthatcameand
wentinBonnie'seyes.IthadbeenalmostthreeyearssinceDrew'sdeath,andhewasprettysurethathissister-in-lawhadcometotermswiththeloss,butheknewthatshewouldneverbeabletolookathersonswithoutthinkingofherhusband.ShehadlovedDrewdeeply.ShewasnottheonlyonewhothoughtaboutDrewTruaxwheneverJeffor
Theosmiledtheirfather'ssmile,laughedtheirfather'slaugh,orexhibitedhiskeenintelligenceandoutgoingnature.Ethanthoughtabouthisbrotherinthosemoments,too.Drewhadbeenfouryearsyounger.Theyhadbeenclose,butnoonewho
knewthemwellwasquitesurewhybecause,whenitcametopersonalityandtemperament,theyhadbeenpolaropposites.Drewhadbeentheenthusiastic,
temperament,theyhadbeenpolaropposites.Drewhadbeentheenthusiastic,optimisticvisionary.Whip-smartandendowedwithgiftsformanagementandfinance,hehadbeenanaturalforthecorporateworld.Hehadrisenfarandfast.DrewhaddisappearedsevenmonthsaftertheboardofdirectorsofTrace&
StoneIndustrieshadvotedhimintotheCEO'schair.Abigchunkofthecompany'sfinancialassetsvanishedatthesametime.ThepolicearrivedatthelogicalconclusionthatDrewhadtakenthefunds,
blownoffhisfamily,friends,andthelifehehadknowninL.A.andwasprobablyLivingunderanothernamesomewhereintheCaribbean.Ithappened,thecopssaid.EthanandBonniehadknownbetter.ButwhileEthanhadsenseddeepinhis
gutthathisbrotherwasdead,Bonniehadheldfasttohope.ThesituationhadbecomeathousandtimesworseaftertheconartistclaimingtobeapsychichadfueledBonnie'sbeliefthatDrewwouldbefoundalive.Ethanhaddealtwithhisgrieftheonlywayheknew.Hehadgoneafterthe
truthwithavengeanceandafurythatstunnedeventhosewhoknewhimwell,includinghiswife.Shortlyafterhestartedaskingquestions,awalkingskeletonofamanwith
bassethoundeyeshadpaidhimavisitinhisofficeatTruaxSecurity.Hehadwornacheapbrownsuitdistinguishedonlybyitsincrediblypoortailoring."Irepresentsomepeople,"themanhadsaidinavoicethathadbeendamaged
somewherealongtheway."Sortoffiguredthatoutformyself."Ethanhadleanedbackinhissilver-gray
leatherdeskchair."CanIassumethesepeopleareconcernedaboutmyongoinginvestigation?""Yeah.Thegeneralopinionseemstobethatyourbrotherisnotdead,butifit
turnsoutthatheis,thesepeoplewantyoutoknowthattheyaresorryforyourloss.""Compassionate."
"Very.Buttheyalsowantyoutounderstandthattheyhadnothingtodowith
it.""Swell.Thentheyhavenothingtoworryabout,dothey?""Thingis,"themanhadsaid,"theygotalotofmoneyinvestedinacertain
company,andtheywouldpreferthatyoudidnotmeddleinthissituationatthistime.Thisisadelicatestage,financiallyspeaking.""WhatdotheysuggestIdo?""Leavetheinvestigationtothecops.""Whoaregettingnowherefast.""Myemployersurgeyoutobeagoodcitizenandrelyonthedulyauthorized
forcesoflawenforcementtohandlethiscase.""Tellme,ifyouweresittingwhereI'msittingwouldyourelyontheduly
authorizedforcesoflawenforcementtodealwiththis?"Themanhadnotrespondedtothat."Myemployersalsowantyoutoknow
thatifyoustopaskingquestions,theywillseetoitthatalargeamountofmoneywillbeplacedinyourcompany'sbankaccount."Ethanhadthoughtaboutthat."Whoareyouremployers?"hehadasked."Iamnotauthorizedtoprovideyouwiththatinformation."Ethanhadsatforward."Inthatcase,youcangivethemamessagefromme.
TellthemIsaidtogofuckthemselves.""Thisisnotagoodidea,Mr.Truax.Trustme.""Getoutofhere,"Ethanhadsaidsoftly.
"Getoutofhere,"Ethanhadsaidsoftly.Themanhadstudiedhimforalongtime."You'renotgonnachangeyour
mind,areyou?""No.""Icanseethat."Thenhewenttothedoorwithoutfurthercommentandwalkedout.Ethan'sinvestigationintoDrew'sdeathproducedfar-reachingconsequences
thatultimatelydestroyedaTrace&Stonecompetitorandthepowerfulmanwhohadbeenattemptingtomanipulateitfrombehindthescenes.Thefalloutfromthescandalalsosentshockwavesthroughashadowyconsortiumofpowerbrokers,politicians,andbusinesspeople,manyofwhomhadinvestedheavilyintherivalfirmonthebasisofinsiderknowledge.EthaneventuallyfoundDrew'sbodyinashallowgraveinthedesert.The
contractshooterandthemanwhohadhiredhim,SimonWendover,amajorityshareholderinthecompetingfirm,werebotharrested.Theshootergotkilledbeforehecouldtestifyagainsthisemployer,andWendoverwalkedoutofthecourtroomafreeman.Wendoverdiedamonthlaterinaboatingaccident.Karmawasafunnything.Trace&Stone'srivalwasforcedintobankruptcy.Itwasnottheonlyfirmthat
wentdowninflamesasaresultoftheinvestigation.TruaxSecurity,thecompanyEthanhadbuiltfromthegroundup,founderedthefollowingyear.Histhirdmarriagedisintegratedataboutthesametime.Everyoneelseinthe
familyblamedthecollapseonthestressoftheinvestigationandthetumbleintobankruptcy.Ethandidn'tcorrecttheimpression,butprivatelyhecametotheconclusionthathewasn'tanygoodatmarriage.ThesmallmentionofthedemiseofTruaxSecurityinthebusinesssectionof
theL.Apapersattributedthefinancialfailuretopoormanagement.
theL.Apapersattributedthefinancialfailuretopoormanagement.ButEthanknewwhathadreallyhappened.Somanyabruptdecisionsmadeby
somanySouthernCaliforniafirmstoshifttheirbusinesstoothercorporatesecuritycompaniesatpreciselythesametimehadnotbeenanunhappycoincidence.Themassexodusofclientswasengineeredbyhisvisitor'sangryemployersinretaliationforobligingthemtoweathersomeannoyinglosses.ThemanhadpaidEthananothervisit.Theoccasionwasthepublicauctionof
thelastremainingassetsofTruaxSecurity.HehadapproachedEthan,whowasleaningagainsthisformerofficedesk,
armsfolded,watchingtheprogressofthesale.Thedeskwasanimpressivepieceoffurniturecomposedofpolishedsteelandamassiveslabofcurvedglass.ThedecoratorwhohaddonetheinteriorsofTruaxSecurityhadassuredEthanthatitmadeastatement.Forawhilethemanhadnotspoken.Hehadseemedfascinatedbythepatterof
theauctioneer,whowastryingtoworkupsomeenthusiasminthecrowd."Youeverwonderhowtheylearntotalklikethat?"hehadaskedeventually.Ethanhadsaidnothing.Themanhadreleasedaworld-wearysigh."Youshouldastoppedwhenyou
hadthechance.Youwouldacomeoutofthisokay,youknow?Youwouldabeensittinginaveryniceplacerightnowifyouhadn'tmeddled.Maybestillbebehindthatdesk."Ethanhadlookedathim."Younevergotaroundtotellingmeyournamethe
lasttimeyoucametoseeme.""Name'sStagg.HarryStagg.""Howdoesitfeel,HarryStagg,tosellyoursoulforabunchofbastardswho
probablycan'tevenrememberyourlastnameandwhocouldnotcarelessifyouhaveaheartattackorcrashyourcartomorrowbecausetheyknowthatyoucanbereplacedinfiveminutes?"
bereplacedinfiveminutes?""It'saliving."Ethanhadgonebacktowatchingtheauctioneer.Stagghadstirredalittle."YouaskedmeaquestionthattimeItalkedtoyouin
youroffice.YouwantedtoknowwhoIwasworkingfor.Ididn'tanswer."Ethanhadsaidnothing."They'reallmembersofafancyprivateclub,"Stagghadsaid."Goteverything
inthatclub,youknow?Twobigswimmingpoolsandsaunasandsteamroomsandhandballcourts.There'sthisbiggolfcourseandabarandeveryonewhoworksthere,maleandfemale,lookslikeafashionmodel.Theysaythatifyou'reamemberofthatclub,youcangetjustaboutanythingyouwant."Ethanhadlistenedtotheauctioneerlaborheroicallytoelicitbidsforapairof
leatherandsteelchairsthathadoncegracedthereceptionlobbyofTruaxSecurity.ThechairshadcomefromItaly,andtheyhadcostabundle.Hehadobjectedstronglytothepurchase,butthefrustrateddecoratorhadwagedapassionatecampaignonthegroundsthatfirstimpressionsonpotentialclientswerecruciallyimportant.Thechairs,accordingtothedecorator,wereaninvestment.Thechairshadfinallysoldforatinyfractionoftheiroriginalcost.Some
investment,Ethanhadthought.AsGodismywitness,Iwillnevertrustanotherdecorator."What'sthenameofthisprivateclub?"hehadasked,notreallyexpectingan
answer."Won'tdoyouanygood.Youcan'ttouchthoseguys.Noonecan.They're
alwaysrealcarefultokeeptheirhandsclean.""Yougoingtogivemethename?""TheycalltheclubTheRetreat,"Stagghadsaid."Themanwhotoldmeto
talktoyoubackatthebeginningofthisthing?HisnameisDorney.Hewasthe
talktoyoubackatthebeginningofthisthing?HisnameisDorney.Hewasthepresidentwhenthesituationinvolvingyourbrotherfirstwentdown."Ethanhadrecognizedthename.YoucouldconjurewithitinSouthern
California."Ifitmeansanything,"Stagghadsaid,"theclub'sboardofdirectorsfired
Dorneyandelectedthemselvesanewpresidentafewmonthsago.Presidentsonlygettoholdthejobaslongasthingsaregoingthewaytheclubmemberswantthemtogo.Mistakesareexpensive.""SoundslikeTheRetreatrunsprettymuchlikeanyotherbusinessenterprise.""Yeah."Stagghadturnedtoleave.Hehadpaused."Bytheway,Iquit
workingforthemrightafterIheardyouwerehavingfinancialproblems.""Whatareyoudoingnow?"Ethanhadasked."I'masecurityconsultant.""Anymoneyinit?""It'saliving.Evengotmyownbusinesscard."Stagghadpulledoutasmall
leathercase,removedacream-coloredcard,andhandedittoEthan."Letmeknowifyouneedanyconsulting."Hehadwalkedawaythroughthecrowdanddisappeared.Ethanhadstayedattheauctionuntilthebitterend.Hispersonaldeskhad
goneforalousyonehundredseventy-fivebucks.Somestatement.Ontheotherhand,maybeithadsaiditall.BonnieglancedatEthanwhileshepassedthepotatoestoJeff."Whatkindof
jobdoesyournewclientwantyoutodo?"Ethanpulledhismindbacktothepresentandreachedforanotherdinnerroll."Routinebackgroundcheckonaguyshe'sthinkingofgettinginvolvedwith.
"Routinebackgroundcheckonaguyshe'sthinkingofgettinginvolvedwith.Takeabouttenminutes.""Didyoudoitalready?""Notyet."Hebutteredtheroll."RanintosomeglitcheswhenItriedtosetup
theofficecomputerthisafternoon.""UncleEthanisgoingtohavetoupdatehisapps,"Jeffsaid."They'renot
compatiblewiththeoperatingsystemonthenewcomputer.""I'vegotmylaptopbackatthehouse,"Ethansaid."I'llrunthecheckonit
whenIgohometonight.Myclientwillhaveheranswersinthemorning."Bonniefrowned."Speakingofthatpinkmonstrosityyounowcallhome,did
yougiveanymorethoughttomyideaofputtingitonthemarket?""Who'dbuyit?"Ethantookabiteoftheroll."TheonlyreasonIgotitso
cheapfromUncleVictorisbecausehecouldn'tsellitbeforehemovedtoHawaii.Atonetimeoranother,hehaditlistedwitheverybrokerinWhisperingSprings.""IthinkNightwindsiscool,"Theoannounced."Andithasapool.""Andarealtheaterwithabig-screenTV,"Jeffadded."Andapopcorn
machine.""TheTVandpopcornmachinewereUncleVictor'sonlyseriousupgrades,
outsideofsomeworkonthewiring,"Ethansaid."Atleasthehadhisprioritiesstraight.""Iwishwelivedthereinsteadofhere,"Jeffsaid."Thatwaywecouldwatch
TVonagiantscreeneverynight.""Yeah,thishouseisreally,reallyboring,"Theosaid."TheonlyproblemwithNightwinds,"Jeffsaidwithagrimace,"isthatit's
pink."
"That'sbecausethewifeoftheoriginalownerlikedpink,"Ethanexplained.
"Alot.""UncleVictortoldmethatit'shauntedbyherghost,"Theosaid."Mrs.Legg
orsomething.""Foote,"Ethansaid."HernamewasCameliaFoote.Shewasanaspiring
actress.""What'saspiringmean?"Theoasked.EthanexchangedalookwithBonnie."Itmeanssheneverbecamefamous.""Oh."Theodigestedthatandevidentlydidnotconsideritimportant."Well,
anyhow,whathappenedwas,shediedandoldMr.Footewentcrazy.Helivedallaloneinthathousefortherestofhislifeandneverchangedathing.""Unfortunately,noneofthelaterownerschangedverymucheither,"Bonnie
saiddryly."You'dthinkthatsomewherealongthelinesomeonewouldatleasthavehaditpainted.""ItstoodemptymostofthetimeuntilUncleVictorpickeditupforasongten
yearsagoafterAuntBettydied,"Ethansaid."Hecouldn'taffordtohavetheplaceremodeledeither.""You'llnoticethatyourgreat-uncledidnotchoosetoretireinNightwinds."
Bonniepointedout."HeheadedstraightforHawaiithedayafterhesoldhisbusinesstoyou.""Hetoldmehewastiredofthedesert."Ethanhelpedhimselftomore
potatoes."Saidhewantedanoceanandabeach.""Hetoldmethathewantedtolookatgirlsinbikinis,allday,"Jeffannounced."Yeah,"Theoadded."Hesaidthere'sevenbeacheswheresomeoftheladies
don'twearanyswimsuitsatall."
"Nokidding?"Ethanpaused,aforkfulofpotatoeshalfwaytohismouth."I've
gotUncleVictor'saddressinMaui.MaybeI'llpayhimavisitnexttimeIgetafewfreedays.Takeatourofthebeaches,orsomething."Jeffchortledsohardthathenearlyfelloutofhischair.Theokickedthebottomrungsofhischair."Youreallyliketowatchbare
nakedladies,UncleEthan?""Well,"Ethansaid."Givenachoicebetweenworkingandwatchingnaked
ladiesonthebeach,I'vegottasaythat–""Ithink,"Bonnieinterruptedfirmly,"thatyou'veallsaidenoughonthe
subjectofnakedladies."ShelookedatEthan."GettingbacktoNightwinds,Jeffsaidsomethingaboutyournewclientbeinganinteriordesigner?""Decorator.What'sthatgottodowithNightwinds?"Bonnieignoredthat."Itoccurstomethatafteryouhandlehercase,youcould
hirehertohelpyoudosomethingwiththatpinkelephant.""Residence,"Ethancorrected."Ibegyourpardon?""Ihaveitongoodauthoritythatyou'resupposedtocallahousearesidence.
Classiersoundingword.But,trustme,there'snotachancein–"HerealizedthatTheoandJeffwerewatchinghimwiththinlyveiledanticipation.Catchinghimintheactofusingaforbiddenwordwasoneoftheirfavoritespectatorsports."IwilldefinitelynotbehiringMs.Lucetoremodeltheplace,"Ethanfinished
smoothly.Disappointed,JeffandTheowentbacktotheirfood."Whynot?"Bonnieasked.
"Tworeasons."Ethanfinishedthelastofthepotatoes."First,Ican'taffordto
hireadecoratoratthispointevenifIwereinclinedtoredotheplace.Second,IdoubtthatZoeLucewouldmakeitpastthefrontdoorofNightwindswithoutfainting."Jeffstoppedinmid-chew,eyesbrightwithcuriosity."Whywouldshefaint,
UncleEthan?""Youthinkmaybeshe'dbescaredoftheghost?"Theoasked."IdoubtthatZoeLucewouldbescaredoffbyaghost,"Ethansaid."ButI'm
surethatherdelicatedesignersensibilitieswouldbeseverelytraumatizedbythesightoftheinsideofmynewresidence.Let'sfaceit,Nightwindsisn'tgoingtowinanyhouse-of-the-yearawards.""That'sputtingitmildly,"Bonniemurmured."TalkaboutHollywoodtacky.""YouthinkMs.Lucewouldbesostunnedshe'djustfalldownrighttherein
thefronthall?"Jeffasked."Wouldn'tsurpriseme,"Ethansaid."Maybeshe'dstarttotwitchorsomething,"Theosuggested."Yeah,likethis."Jeffjerkedhisleftarmwildly."Orlikethis."Theowobbledhisheadfromsidetoside.Bothboysbegantocacklegleefully.Theirspasmodicmovementsgotmore
creative.Ethanwatchedbothperformanceswithopenadmiration."Notbad.Yep,I'll
betshe'dcollapseandstarttotwitchjustlikethat."AttheotherendofthetableBonniegavealong-sufferingsigh."Whydoes
dinneralwaysendlikethiswhenyoueatwithus,Ethan?"
"WhatcanIsay?It'sagift."***HedrovebacktoNightwindsanhourlater.Whenhegotoutofthecar,he
stoodinthedriveforamomentandsurveyedhisnewresidence,wonderingforsomeinexplicablereasonwhatZoeLucewouldthinkofit.Okay,sotheplacedidlooklikeaHollywoodfantasyversionofaSpanishColonialmansion.Anditwasdefinitelypink,notthefaded,sunwashedpinkofoldadobe–morelikebubblegumpink.Sowhat?Ithadcharacter.Orsomething.Anditwasspacious.Plentyofroomforhisbooksandpersonalstuff.Bestofall,itwasfullyfurnished,whichwasaverygoodthingbecausethe
combinedfinancialdisastersofhisbusinessandhislastdivorcehadlefthimwithverylittleinthewayoffurniture.ThehellwithZoeLuce'sopinion.Whyshouldhecarewhatshethoughtof
Nightwinds?Hesummoneduphisimpressionsofherthatafternoon.Sleekred-brownhair
inastylish-lookingknot,vivid,compellingface,andsmoky,mysteriouseyesthatprobablyheldsomeinterestingsecrets.Andaverystrangetasteinclothes.Ifherecalledhiskindergartenpaintinglessonsproperly,thatshadeofacidgreenwasn'tsupposedtogowiththatpurplecolor.Therewererulesaboutthesethings.Atleasttherehadbeenbackinkindergarten.SomethingtoldhimthatZoehadprobablyneverstucktocoloringbetweenthe
lines.But,then,neitherhadhe.Heknewthatheshoulddefinitelynotbethinkingaboutherinsuchpersonal
terms.Shewasaclient,andlongagohehadlearnedthehardwaynottodateclients.Besides,shewouldprobablyclashagainstthepinkinteriorsofNightwinds.Heclimbedthesteps,crossedthefrontentrywithitspastelpinkstonepillars,
andlethimselfintotheflamingopinkhallway.
Infairness,theinteriorofthehousewasnotonehundredpercentpink.There
wasalotofgiltworkandsomewhitewoodenmolding.Thegiantleavesofthehuge,deeppinkorchidswovenintothecarpetingweregreen.Switchingonlightsashewent,hemadehiswaythroughthesprawlinghouse
tooneoftheroomsoverlookingthegardensandtheshallowcanyonbeyond.Hewoveapaththroughtheboxesofbooksthathehadnotyethadtimeto
unpackandsatdownatthegrandgilt-and-pinkdesknearthewindow.Switchingonthelaptop,heopenedadrawertoretrievethenoteshehadmadewhenhehadinterviewedZoeLucethatafternoon.Hestartedwiththeusualonlineinformationresources.Ifallwentwell,it
wouldtakehimabouttenminutestolocateMrs.JenniferMason,justashe'dtoldBonnie.EasymoneyandLordknewheneededit.Alldidnotgowell.TherewasnoindicationthatJenniferMasonhadusedhercreditcardsor
writtenanychecksinthepastfewmonths.Intrigued,hewentdeeper.HefoundnoevidencethatJenniferMasonwasinvolvedintheprocessof
obtainingadivorcefromDavisMason.Therewasnosignthatshehadhiredanyofthelocalmovingcompaniestoassistinrelocatingtoanothertownorcity.Forty-fiveminuteslaterhesatback,stretchedhislegsoutunderthedesk,
shovedhishandsintohispockets,andcontemplatedtheglowingscreen.JenniferMasonhaddisappeared.HehadahunchZoeLucehadalready
guessedasmuchbeforeshehiredhimtofindthewoman.
ChapterSixZoepickedupthedeskphoneonthefirstring."EnhancedInteriors.""Youliedtome,"Ethansaidontheotherend.Hemadetheaccusationinastunninglycasualtone,asifhewasaccustomed
tohavingpeoplelietohim.Maybethatwastrue,givenhislineofwork,Zoethought.Shewentverystillinherchair,staringunseeinglyatthethreeframedblack-
and-whitephotographsthathungontheoppositewall.Shehadtakenthreephotosofthefancifuloldhousesteepedintheshadowsof
thedeserttwilight.Later,shehadtriedtochoosethemostevocativeshotbuteachhadcaughtsomeelusiveelement,andshehadbeenunabletoselectjustone.Shehadwoundupframingallthree.Aclienthadnoticedthephotoshangingonthewallafewdayslaterandhad
informedherthatthehousewasknownlocallyasNightwinds."Areyouthere?"Ethanasked.Don'tpanicyet,shethought.Maybeit'snotasbadasitsounds."Yes,ofcourse,"shesaidtonelessly.Howmuchhadhelearnedaboutherin
theprocessofsearchingforJenniferMason?Hadhesomehowstumbledontothetruth?Hadhefoundachinkinthefirewallthathadbeenerectedbetweenherpastandherpresent?AndwhataboutArcadia?Oh,Lord,whatifshehadblownherfriend'scoveraswellasherown?Shehadbeenanidiottohireaprivateinvestigator.Getagrip,shetoldherself.Breathe.Think.
Getagrip,shetoldherself.Breathe.Think.ThenewidentitiesthatsheandArcadiahadpurchasedhadbeenfirstclass.
Arcadiahadinsistedonpayingthehugeamountofcashrequiredtogettheverybestquality.EthanTruaxcouldnothavedugdeepenoughtouncoverthetruth,sheassuredherself,notinsuchashortperiodoftime.Besides,he'dhadnoreasontogolookingintoherpast.Shehadpaidhimto
searchforJenniferMason.Whywouldhewastetimeprobingintohisclient'sbackground,instead?"Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,"shesaid,tryingtokeephervoice
coolandeven."DidyoulocateJenniferMason?""No,"Ethansaid.Sheclutchedthephonemoretightlytoherear."Youcouldn'tfindher?""No,"Ethansaidagain."What'smore,Idon'tthinkyouexpectedmetofind
her.Andthat'swhatmakesthisallsodamninteresting,yousee.""Idon'tunderstand.""Weneedtotalk,"Ethansaid.Heendedthecallabruptly.Angershaftedthroughher."Damnit,don'tyoudarehanguponme,Truax."Thedoorofherofficeopenedwithoutwarning,joltingher.Sheswungaround
inherofficechair.Ethanwalkedintotheroomlookingasifhehadjustcomefromaconstruction
site.Heworeapairofgrungypaint-stainedjeans,adenimshirt,scuffedworkboots,andapeakedcapemblazonedwiththelogoofalocaltavern,Hell'sBelles.Sherecognizedthenameoftheestablishment.Itwasasleazydivethatcateredtoguyswhodrovetrucksandmotorcycles.Shehadneverbeenattractedtothekindofmalewhofrequentedsuchplaces.Sowhywassheexperiencingtheselittlehotandcoldchillsofawarenessat
thesightofEthan?Shehadclearlygonealittletoolongwithoutadate.
thesightofEthan?Shehadclearlygonealittletoolongwithoutadate.Ethanslidhisphoneintothepocketofhisshirt."Ihappenedtobeinthe
neighborhood.ThoughtI'ddropby."Sheputdownherownphonewithgreatcareandtriedtocomposeherself.At
leastthistimeshehadtheadvantageofbeingtheoneonthebusinesssideofadesk."Isthedramaticentranceoneofthetricksofthetrade,Mr.Truax?""LikeIsaid,weneedtohaveaconversationandweneedtohaveitright
now."Hestartedtowardoneofthetwoclientchairspositionedacrossfromherdesk.Thenhenoticedthethreeblack-and-whiteshotsofNightwindsandstopped."Whotookthose?""Idid.""Huh.""Forgetthepictures,Mr.Truax."Shesatforward,impatientandanxious,and
foldedherhandsonthedesk."Sitdownandtellmeexactlywhatisgoingon."Hetookonelastlookatthethreephotosandthenobliginglysettledintoa
chair.Sheimmediatelyregrettedaskinghimtotakeaseat.Theexpensiveupholsteryonherclientchairshadneverbeenintendedtowithstanddirtyworkclothes.Ethanappearedoblivioustoanyimpacthemightbemakingonherprecious
chair.Loungingbackagainstthehoney-coloredleather,heextendedhislegsandcrossedhisbootedfeetattheankles.Heremovedasmallnotepadfromthepocketofhisshirtandflippeditopen."IfoundnoevidencetoindicatetheMrs.JenniferMasoniscelebratingher
newlyacquiredstatusasasoon-to-bedivorcedwoman."Hestudiedhisnotes."Shehasnotusedanycreditcardsrecently.ShehasnotusedanATMmachinetoremoveanycashfromthecouple'sjointcheckingaccountnorhasshewrittenanychecksonthataccount."Helookedup."Theaccountisstillopen,bythe
anychecksonthataccount."Helookedup."Theaccountisstillopen,bytheway.DavisMasonhasnotbotheredtocloseit.""Whatdoesthatmean?""Wildguess?He'snotparticularlyworriedthathissoon-to-be-exwillclean
outtheaccount.""Oh."Thiswasgoingtobeasbadasshehadfeared."JenniferMasonappearstohavehadnoclosefriendshereintown.I'mstill
checkingthatangle,butit'snotlookinggood.ShewasnotalongtimeresidentofWhisperingSpringsandapparentlytheonlysocializingshedidafterhermarriagewaswhenshehelpedMasonentertainbusinessclients.Thatwasnotafrequentoccurrence.""Relatives?"Zoeinquired."JustacoupleofdistantcousinsandanelderlyauntwholiveinIndiana.I
calledthemthismorning.Noneofthemhaveheardfromherrecentlynorisanyoneconcerned.Theyallsaidthattheyhadn'tseenJennifersinceshewasachildandhadlostcontactyearsago.Notwhatyou'dcallaclosefamily.""Inotherwords,nooneisgoingtorushtofileamissingpersonsreport.""Unlikely,"Ethansaid."Thereisonemorething.Icheckedthelegalangle.Thereisnodivorceinprogress."Thiswasdefinitelytheworst-casescenario,shethought.JenniferMasonfit
theclassicprofileofanabusedwifewhoenjoyednoclosecontactwithfamilyorfriends.Whatwasshegoingtodonow?Shepickedupapentogiveherselfsomethingtodo,clutchingitsotightlythat
herknuckleswhitened."Thankyouforlookingintothematterforme,Mr.Truax.DoIoweyouanythingmorethantheminimumIpaidyouyesterday?""Oh,yeah.Alotmore."
Shefrowned."Howmuch?""Let'sstartwithsomeanswers.WhatdoyouthinkhappenedtoJennifer
Mason?"Shesaidnothing."Didyouknowherbeforeshedisappeared?""No.Nevermether.""YouthinkMasonmurderedhiswife,don'tyou?"Shehesitatedandthennodded,sayingnothing."That'safairlyseriousconclusion,"Ethansaiddryly."MindifIaskwhatit
wasthatmadeyoujumptoit?""JustabadfeelingIgotwhenIwentouttoviewhisresidenceyesterday.""Abadfeeling,"herepeatedneutrally."Callitintuition.""Okay,I'vegotsomerespectforintuition.Beenknowntouseitmyself.
Anythingelse?"Actnormal.Thinknormal."Thebedinthemasterbedroomisgone,"shesaidevenly."Itandasmallarea
rugaretheonlyfurnishingsthataremissing.There'safreshcoatofpaintonthewallsofthatroom."Hisbrowsrose."AndthatwasenoughtomakeyouthinkJenniferMasonhad
metwithfoulplay?"Shedecidedtotryamoreassertiveapproach."Mr.Truax,Iamaprofessional
Shedecidedtotryamoreassertiveapproach."Mr.Truax,Iamaprofessionalinteriordesigner.Igetthestrongimpressionthatyoudon'tthinkmuchofmycareerchoice,butIassureyouthatdesignersare,bytrainingandinclination,observant.SomethingiswrongattheMasonresidence.I'msureofit.""Okay,takeiteasy.YousureMasondidn'tsellthebed?""Davistoldmethathiswifehadtakenitbecauseitwasimportanttoher.It
wasaverylarge,veryexpensivebed,hesaid.But–""Yeah?""ButIsawtwofullsetsofthree-hundred-and-twenty-thread-countItalian
sheetsinthelinencloset.Thesheetsandpillowcaseswerestillintheoriginalpackaging.""Sowhat?"Shetappedthetipofthepenonthedesktop."Doyouhaveanyideawhattwo
fullsetsofking-sizedsheetsofthatqualitycost?IfJenniferMasontookthebed,I'msureshewouldhavetakenthesheetsthatsheboughttogoonit."Ethanmeditatedonthatforafewseconds.Thenhenodded."You'vegota
point.DidMasonindicatethathiswifeputthebedintostorage?""No.""Didhesayhowshearrangedtopickupthebed?""No."Thesteadylitanyof
questionswasgettingonhernerves."You'retheprivatedetectivehere,notme.""Oh,yeah,that'sright.Ikeepforgetting."Hetookapenoutofhispocketand
wrotesomethingdowninthenotebook."WasthereanythingelsethatmadeyoususpiciouswhenyouwentthroughMason'shouseyesterday?"Asidefromthescreamingwalls?Shewonderedsilently.Gosh,no,thatwas
enoughforsomeobscurereason."Therewasoneotherstrangething,"sheofferedslowly."What?""Theshowercurtains.""Whataboutthem?""Themasterbathhasalarge,glass-walledshowerandseparatetub
arrangement,buttheothertwobedroomswereobviouslydesignedasguestrooms.Theyeachhaveadjoiningbathswithstandardcombinationshower-tubs
rooms.Theyeachhaveadjoiningbathswithstandardcombinationshower-tubswithcurtainenclosures.Buttheshowercurtainsinbothoftheguestbathsaregone."Hegaveherapolitelyblanklook."Explain.""Bothroomswerefullyoutfitted
withsoap,towels,andamenities.Theshowercurtainsshouldhavebeenthere,too.Buttheyweregone."Sheshrugged."Ijustfoundthatalittleodd,that'sall."Helookedatherforalongtime."Youdorealize,"hesaideventually,"thatwehaven'tgotenoughyettotaketo
thecops?""OfcourseIdo.That'swhyIhiredyoutolookintoit.""Correction,youcametomebecauseRadnorwasalotmoreexpensive,but
we'llletthatpassfornow."Heclosedthenotepadanddroppeditintohisshirtpocket."We'vegototherthingstodo.""Suchas?""IwanttogetalookinsidetheMasonhouse.Ibegyourpardon,theMason
residence."Shestaredathim,intriguedinspiteofhermisgivings."You'regoingtobreak
in?""Hell,no.Privateinvestigatorsonlygettodostufflikethatontelevision.You
thinkIwanttoriskmylicense?""No,Isupposenot."Hisreactiontoherquestionwasentirelylogical,butforsomereasonshefelta
flickerofdisappointment.Maybeshehadallowedherfantasiesaboutprivateinvestigatorstorunamuck."Itprobablywouldn'tbepossibleforyoutosneakin,anyway,"shesaid
coolly."DesertViewisaverysecure,gatedcommunity.Idoubtifyouwouldhavebeenabletogetpasttheguards."
havebeenabletogetpasttheguards."Ethansaidnothing,justsattheredoingenigmatic.Forsomereason,shewas
suddenlyuneasy.Shewonderedifshe'doffendedhimor,worseyet,madehimfeelawkwardor
embarrassed.TruaxInvestigationswasaone-personagency,sheremindedherself.HedidnothavetheresourcesofalargesecurityfirmsuchasRadnor.Shecouldnotexpectmiracles.Andyougotwhatyoupaidfor,sheremindedherselffortheninthortenthtime.Sheclearedherthroat."Iassumeyou'veusedupthetwo-hourminimumadvanceIgaveyou.""Youassumeright,"heassuredheralittletooeasily."Blewrightthroughit
lastnight.""Iwasafraidofthat."Shedrewherselfupandfixedhimwithwhatshehoped
wasasteelyglare."Howmuchmoreisthisinvestigationgoingtocostme?""Can'tsayforsure,yet.CouldbeanotherdayortwobeforeIfigureoutwhat's
goingonhere.""Anotherdayortwo?"Shewasappalled."Ican'taffordtopayyouforthat
muchtime.Notatyourrates.""Relax.Ithinkwecanworksomethingout.Afterall,I'mtryingtogetmy
businessupandrunninghereinWhisperingSpringsandyou'remyfirstclient.Iwanttomakeagoodimpression.Gottothinkoffuturereferrals.""Whattermsareyouoffering?"sheaskedwarily."Mysister-in-lawcameupwithanidea.Ididn'tpayanyattentionatthetime,
butlastnightwhenIrealizedthiscasewasgoingtotakelongerthanexpected,itoccurredtomethatherplanhadsomepossibilities.""Describethesepossibilities.""Ineedalittleinteriordecoratingwork,"hesaid.
Thatmadeherpause."Iratherlikethelookofyouroffice.Ithasacertainshabbycharm.""Shabbycharm?""Ifyoujustreplacedthatoversizedclientchairandmovedyourdeskintoa
betterpositionandgotridofthatmirror,Ithinkyou'llfindthattheenergyflowworksverywell.""Theenergyflowworksfinethewayitis.Theoversizedchairisuseful
becauseitmakesclientsawarethattheyaren'ttheonesincontrolinthatroom.Makes'emwanttoturnalltheirproblemsovertome.Andifthedeskinterruptstheenergyflowthat'sokay,too.Ilikeitrightwhereitis.Dittowiththemirror.It'snotmyofficethatneedsredecorating.""What,then?""Mynewhouse."Hesmiled."Imean,mynewresidence.""Yourresidence?"Sheflattenedherhandsonthedeskandshottoherfeet.
"Areyouserious?Youexpectmetoredesignyourentirelivingspaceinexchangeforalittlemoredetectivework?""Soundedfairtome.""Well,itcertainlydoesn'tsoundthatwaytome.Itsoundslikeyou'retryingto
–"shebrokeoffabruptly,awarethatthephrase,screwmedidnotseemappropriate.Ethanwatchedher,politelyexpectant.Somethinginhisexpressiontoldherhe
knewexactlywhatshehadbeenabouttosay.Shefelttheheatriseinhercheeks.Shestraightenedhershouldersandfoldedherarms."Itsoundsasifyouintend
formetogettherawendofthisdeal.Myfeesforredesigninganentireresidencearequitehigh,Mr.Truax.ThereisnowaythatIwouldspendthatmuchonyourdetectingservices.""Okay,likeItoldyou,I'mflexible.Howaboutoneroom?"
"Okay,likeItoldyou,I'mflexible.Howaboutoneroom?"Shehesitatedandthenshrugged."Okay,oneroom.""Deal.ButIgettopicktheroom.""Fine.Deal.Nowtellme:howyouplantogetintotheMasonresidence?""That'stheeasypart."Ethanreplied."You'regoingtogetmeinside.""How?"
"YoucanstartbycallingmeBob."***AnhourlaterEthanstoodinthecenterofthemasterbedroomoftheMason
houseandtriedtoignorethelittletingleofadrenalinethatwashummingthroughhim.Heunderstoodthesourceofthesensation.IfheandZoewererightaboutJenniferMason'sfate,theywerestandinginthesameroomasakiller.AtleasthewasstandinginthesameroomwithMason,hethought.Zoe,on
theotherhand,stillhadbothfeetoutinthehall.Shehoveredinthebedroomdoorway,armscrossedtightlybeneathherbreasts.Untilnowshehadbeendoingaverygoodjobofactingbuthehadnoticedanewleveloftensioninherwhentheyhadreachedthisbedroom.DavisMasonwatchedhimfromashortdistanceaway.Zoehadreportedthat
he'dsoundedsomewhatsurprisedwhenshe'dphonedtosaythatshewantedtobringacontractortohishouse.Buthehadnothadaproblemwiththesuggestion.Infact,hehadofferedtoleavehisofficeearlytomeetthem."Whatdoyouthinkaboutmylightingideasforthisspace,Bob?"Zoeasked
fromthedoor."Noproblem,"Ethansaideasily."Plentyofroominheretodroptheceiling
andputinrecessedlighting.Youwantmetoworkupadetailedestimate?""Notatthisstage,"shesaid."Ijustwantedyouropiniononwhetherornotyou
thoughttheconceptwasfeasible."
"Hell,yeah,it'llwork.Thelightingwon'tbeaproblem.Pictureontheceilingsoundsweird,though."DavislookedatZoe."You'regoingtopaintapictureonmyceiling?""It'sanoptionthatinterestsme.Therearesomeexcellentmuralartistsherein
townwhocoulddosomethingveryspecialinthisspace.Aneveningskyscene,perhaps."Davisnoddedthoughtfully."Iliketheidea.Neverwouldhavethoughtofit
myself.""Gonnabeexpensive,"Ethanwarnedhim."Therecessedlightingshewantsto
illuminatetheceilingdoesn'tcomecheap,andLordonlyknowswhattheartistwillcharge."Zoefixedhimwithasteelylook."Thecostisnotyourproblem,Bob.""She'sright,"Davissaid."Priceisnoobjectforme.MywifeandIrecently
partedways.Iwantawholenewlookforthisbedroom.""Oh,man,"Ethanwhistledsoftly."Beenthere,donethatafewtimesmyself.I
knowallaboutthebedroomthing."HecaughtZoe'sstartledreactiontothatcomment,butheignoredit.Hewas
moreinterestedinDavis'sfrown."Thebedroomthing?"Davisstoodunmoving."Idon'tunderstand."Ethanshookhishead."Thisisthevoiceofexperiencetalking.I'vehadthree
wiveswalkoutonmeandfilefordivorce.Justnopleasingsomewomen,Iguess.""No,"Davissaidevenly."Womencanbedifficult."HedidnotlookinZoe's
direction."Difficultanddamnedexpensive,"Ethansaid."Especiallywhenitcomesto
beds.Bedscostalotofmoney,youknow."
beds.Bedscostalotofmoney,youknow.""Whatdoesthishavetodowithbeds?"Davisasked.Ethanshrugged."Thefirstthingyoudo,afteryoufinishpayingoffyourex
andthelawyers,isyoustartdatingagain,right?Hell,maybeyoudon'tevenwaituntilthepaperworkisfinished.Maybeyouneedsomeunderstandingcompanionshiprightaway,knowwhatImean?""No,Bob,"Zoesaidcoldlyfromthehall."I,forone,don'tknowwhatyou
mean.""Nooffense,Ms.Luce,"hesaid,makingashowofexaggeratedpatience,"but
thesearefactsoflifeforaguyinthissituation.LikeIwassaying,youwanttostartdatingagainsoyoubringanewladyfriendhome.Youturnonthemusic,haveacoupleofdrinks,andyoutellheryoursadstory."HewinkedatDavis."AmIright?""Idon'tknowyet,"Davissaid."Ihaven'tresumedmysociallife.""Yeah,well,takeitfromme,thisishowitworks.Anyhow,thingsaregoing
fineoutinthefrontroom,soyousuggestthatthetwoofyouadjourntothebedroom.She'sokaywiththat.Sofar,sogood.Thetwoofyouwalkdownthehall,enterthebedroom,andwham,nowarningatall,theladytakesonelookatthebedandstopscold."DavisandZoewerebothwatchinghimasifhehadturnedthemtostone."Whydoesshestop?"Davissoundedbaffled."Becauseofthedamnedbed,ofcourse,"Ethansaid."Shegetsthisweird
expressiononherfaceandshelooksrightatyouandsheasksyouifthat'sthebedwhereyouandyourex-wifeslept.Talkaboutaloadedquestion.""Loadedisright,"Davisgrimaced."IthinkI'mbeginningtogetthepicture
here.""Womendon'tliketosleepordoanythingelseinthesamebedyouusedwith
theex,yousee?"Ethansaid."Somekindoffemalething,Iguess."
theex,yousee?"Ethansaid."Somekindoffemalething,Iguess."HeglancedatZoe.Shelookedpained,butshekeptsilent.Davis,ontheotherhand,wasateaseagain,relaxedandsmiling.Hegave
Ethanaknowing,man-to-manlook."Imustadmit,Ihadn'tthoughtaboutthatangle.Nowthatyou'vepointeditout,Icanseewhereanoldbedcouldbeabitawkward.However,thatisoneproblemI'mhappytosaythatIdon'thave.""Yeah."Ethansurveyedthelargeemptyspaceinthecenteroftheroom."Ican
seethat.Thebed'sgone.""Myextookitwithherwhensheleft.""Justbackedupatruckandhauleditoff,huh?Talkaboutinsensitive.""Alongwiththerestofherpersonalpossessions.Tobehonest,Ihelpedher
pack.""Yeah,I'vedonethatafewtimes,too,"Ethanadmitted."Iknowwhereyou're
comingfrom.Well,asfarasthebedgoes,countyourselflucky.It'llcostyoutoreplaceit,butinthelongrun,itwillbeworthit.Trustme.""I'lltakeyourwordforit,Bob,"Davismurmured."Asyousaid,yoursisthe
voiceofexperience.Threedivorces?""Mylawyersendsmecardsonmybirthdayandmostmajorholidays.""Soundslikeheshouldsendflowers,"Zoesaidtightly.Shetookadecisive
stepback,movingawayfromthebedroomdoor."Ithinkwe'veseenenough,Bob.We'dbetterbeonourway.Ifyouwillworkuparoughideaonwhereyouthinkthefixturesandelectricaloutletscouldbelocated,I'llincludetheinformationinmypresentationtoDavisonFriday.""Sure."EthanpausedinfrontofDavisandstuckouthishand."Nicetomeet
you,Mason.Goodluckwiththeremodel.Youcan'tgowrongwithMs.Luce,here.Shereallyknowsherstuff."
Davisshookhandsbriefly,buthiseyeswereonZoe."I'mlookingforwardto
workingwithher.""Me,too,"Ethansaid."It'salwaysinteresting,knowwhatImean?"Zoedidnotrespond.Sheturnedonherheelanddisappeareddownthehall.Shewascertainlyinabighurrytoleavethebedroom,Ethanthought.He
wonderedaboutthatashefollowedheroutsidetohercar.HewasawarethatshehadbeentensewhenhehadexplainedhisplansforgettinginsideMason'shome,butshehadcooperatedwillingly.Hernerveshadseemedsteadyenoughthroughoutthetourofthehouse.Butallthathadchangedwhenthey'dreachedthemasterbedroom.Hegotintothepassengerseatandclosedthedoor.Zoeslippedbehindthe
wheel,fastenedherseatbelt,startedtheengine,anddroveawayveryquickly.Heputonhisdarkglassesandstudiedhertautprofile.Herdelicatejawwas
tight.Shehadadeathgriponthewheel.Shedrovewiththefocusedconcentrationofaprofessionalracecardriverclosinginonthecheckeredflag."Areyouokay?"heaskedwhensheslowedtoapproachtheguardhouse."OfcourseI'mokay.""YoudidfinebackthereatMason'splace,"heoffered."IfIdidn'tknowyou
wereadecorator,I'dhavesaidyou'dhadsomeexperienceinmyline."Herknuckleswhitened."What'sthatsupposedtomean?""Justthatyoudidtheundercoverthingwithflair.""Flair.""Yeah.Flair.Atleastuntilwegottothebedroom.Youstartedtogetalittle
shakyatthatpoint."
shakyatthatpoint.""MaybeitwasbecauseyouandDavisgotintothatridiculousconversation
aboutchangingbedswhenyouchangedwives.""Wasn'tridiculous.It'safact.LikeItoldMason,I'verunintotheproblema
fewtimes.""Youreallyhavebeenthroughthreedivorces?Ithoughtmaybeyou'dmadeup
thatstorytogethimtotalkaboutthemissingbed.""Itwasthetruth.""Goodgrief."Shesoundeddazed."Children?""No."Okay,sosheobviously
didnotthinkthathewasMr.Perfect.Healreadyknewthat.Whythehelldidhecareaboutheropiniononthesubject?"Whataboutyou?Itakeityou'renotmarried?""No.""Divorced?""No."Shebrakedfortheguardhouse."Iwaswithsomeoneforalongtime.It
didn'tworkout."Hecouldhaveheardtheslammingofthatdoorfromamileaway,hethought.Whateveritwasthathadhappenedinthatrelationship,ithadleftscars.Slammeddoorsalwayspiquedhiscuriosity.Hewonderedwhatwouldhappen
ifheprobedalittledeeper.Atthatmoment,theguardemergedfromthesecuritystation.Zoeloweredher
windowandmurmuredsomethingbriskandpolite.Theguardnoddedandwishedheragoodday.Zoeputherfootdownonthethrottleandsentthevehiclehurtlingthroughthe
gatesandoutontothemainroad.ShewasobviouslykeentogetawayfromDesertView.
"Well?"shesaid."Didyoupickupanyusefulcluesbackthere?""Maybe."Sheshothimanirritatedlook."That'sthebestyoucando?Maybe?""Forthemoment."Heglancedbackoverhisshoulder.Thesecurityguardwas
makinganentryinalog.Methodicaltype.RadnorSecuritySystemswasbigonprocedures.Itwasprobablythesecretoftheirsuccess."Whatdowedonow?"Zoeasked.Heturnedhisattentionbacktotheroad."NowIfindthemissingbed.""Whyonearthdoyouwanttowastetimetrackingdownthebed?""SomethingtellsmethatwhenIfindit,I'llfindoutwhathappenedtoJennifer
Mason."
ChapterSevenThefollowingafternoon,ZoestoodaloneinthefronthalloftheTaylor
residenceandsavoredthegraciouswarmththatflowedthroughthespace.Afterayearinhernewprofession,shehaddiscoveredthatthiswasher
favoritemomentinthedesignprocess.Everydetailfromwindowtreatmentstocarpetswasinplace.Thefurniturehadbeendeliveredandpositioned.Thecraftandconstructionpeopleweregoneatlast.Hercreationwascomplete,buttheownershadnotyetmovedintotheirnewhome.Shehadtheplacetoherself.Itwastheonlychanceshewouldeverhaveto
walkthroughthespacesaloneandcritiqueherownwork.Itwasheroneopportunitytodecidewhetherornotshehadachievedherdesigngoals.Thislargeresidencehadbeenoneofherfirstbigprojects,andithadbeena
challenge.Shehadworkedonitformonths.Aftergivingheradetailedlistoftheirrequirements,theTaylorshadannouncedthattheywereleavingeverythinginherhandsandhadtakenoffonaworldcruise."MyhusbandandIwentthroughonecompleteinteriordesignexperience
togetherearlyoninourmarriage,"MaryTaylorhadexplainedwithashudder."Wealmostgotdivorcedbecauseofthestress.Wedomanythingswellasacouple,butinteriordesignisnotoneofthem.Thistimearound,wewantaturnkeyoperation.Whenwegetback,Iwanttowalkbackintoacomplete,finishedhome."TheTaylorswereduetoreturnnextmonth.Zoethoughttheywouldbe
pleased.Theywereintheirsixties,successful,high-energy,gregariouspeoplewithanactivelifestyle.Shehadsetouttocreateaserenebackgroundagainstwhichtheirvivaciousnatureswouldshine.Theresidencewasbrand-newwithwell-proportionedlines,highceilings,and
sweepingvistas.Shehadworkedcloselywiththearchitectbecauseshehadwantedtobecertainthatherdesignsenhancedhiswell-executedspaces.
wantedtobecertainthatherdesignsenhancedhiswell-executedspaces.Granted,shehadbeennewatthejob,butherinstinctsandherdegreeinfineartshadbothtoldherthatharmonywasbestachievedwhenthearchitecturalandinteriorelementsworkedtogether.Sheslippedtheheavycrimsontoteoffhershoulder,putitdownonthetileof
thefronthall,andwalkedintothespaciousgreatroom.Thesmall,intimateseatinggroupsthatshehadusedtobringacomfortablesenseofscaletothevastinteriorworkedwell.Sheimaginedtheroomfilledwithahundredguests.Theenergyandnoiseofalotofpeoplegatheredinonespacecouldbedifficulttoorchestrate,butshewasconfidentthatthisroomcouldhandlethejob.Shecontinuedherwalk-through,makingtinyadjustmentshereandthere.A
senseofcalmandtranquilityenvelopedher.Itoccurredtoherthatshehadcomeheretodaynotjustbecauseitwasagoodopportunitytotakeonelastlookatherwork,butbecauseshehadbeenbadlyinneedoftheserenityshehaddesignedintothisresidence.ThesecondvisittothemasterbedroominDavisMason'shousehadlefther
moredisturbedthanever.Thescreaminginthewallshadnotdimmed.Theinvisiblepainwasatsuchanintenselevelthatshecouldnotunderstandwhyothersfailedtonoticeit.Davishadappearedoblivious,justashehadthelasttime.Buttherehadbeen
afewsecondstherewhenshehadwonderedifEthanhadunconsciouslypickedupsometraceofwhatshefeltemanatingfromtheterribleroom.Ithadtodowiththewayhehadmovedinthatspace,shedecided.Itwasasifhe'dbecomemorealertorsomething.Hehadn'twalkedorstrolledthroughtheroom;hehadprowled.Thenshehadrealizedthatitwasn'tasubliminalawarenessoftheenergyin
thewallsthatwasaffectinghim.WhatshehadseeninEthanwastheanticipationofthehunteronthetrail.Shecametoahaltinthecenterofthegleamingcopper-and-granitekitchen
andthoughtaboutthat.Atinychillflickeredthroughher.EthanTruaxcouldbedangerousundercertaincircumstances.Thatrealizationwouldnothavebotheredherquitesomuchwereitnotforthe
Thatrealizationwouldnothavebotheredherquitesomuchwereitnotfortheextremelyunsettlingknowledgethatshewasattractedtohim.Shehadfinallyfacedthatfacttoday.Shedidnotunderstandthelittletinglesofexcitementsheexperiencedinhispresence,buttherewasnopointdenyingthem.Thereallyweirdpartwasthatshehadnotgivenanymansomuchasasecond
glancefortwoyears,andnow,hereshewas,fantasizingaboutalow-rentprivateinvestigatorwhohadadmittedtothreemarriagesandasmanydivorces.EthanTruaxwasverydefinitelynothertype.Preston,withhisloveofartand
historyandhisgentleways,hadbeenhertype.WhateveritwasshewasfeelingforTruax,itprobablyonlyinvolvedalotofhormonesthathadbeendormantforalongtime.Sheleftthekitchenwithitslargeadjoiningpantryandwalkedpastthe
handsome,polishedsteeldoorofthenewwalk-in,climate-controlledwinecellar.Inadditiontotheirextensiveentertainingneeds,theTaylorscollectedrareandexoticvintages.Thecellarwasemptyandunlockedatthemomentbecausethevaluablecollectionofwineshadnotyetbeenmoved.EdwardTaylorhadmadeitclearthathewishedtosupervisethatdelicateprocesspersonallywhenhereturnedfromthecruise.Shecontinuedalongthespaciouscentralhall,admiringtheartfulpatterns
workedintothefloortiles.Whenshereachedthefullyequippedexerciseandsaunaroom,shepausedtocheckthatallofthehigh-techmachineswereproperlypositioned.Shewasonherwaytotheguestwingwhensheheardthefaintwhisperof
soundfromthebackofthehouse.Shefroze;herpalmsfeltasthoughshehadjustplungedherhandsintoice
water.Ithadbeenonlyatiny,hushedcreakthatcouldeasilybewrittenoffasa
figmentofherimagination.Itwasjustthesortofthinlittlenoisethatyoucouldexpecttohearinalargeemptyspacewheresmallsoundstendedtoecho.Butitseemedtoherthattheflowofairdownthehallhadalteredalittle.OneoftheFrenchdoorsthatseparatedthekitchenareafromthepoolterracehadjustbeen
Frenchdoorsthatseparatedthekitchenareafromthepoolterracehadjustbeenopened.Shewasnolongeraloneinthebighouse.***"Hurryup,okay,man?"Thestoragelockerattendantworkedthecodetoopen
thedooronthesecondflooroflockers.Heglancednervouslyoverhisshoulder."Someonemightcomealong,y'know?IfthebossfindsoutIletyouin,he'llfiremyass.""Thiswillonlytakeacoupleofminutes."Ethanshovedafewcrispbillsinto
theman'shand."Gobacktoyourdesk.I'llgiveyoutherestonmywayout.""Justmakeitfast,okay.""Sure."Theattendantpocketedthemoneyandhastenedofftowardthestairwell.Ethanwentdownthelonghalloflockeddoorsuntilhecametonumber203.
Accordingtotheattendant,thiswastheonethathadbeenrentedtoamanmatchingDavisMason'sdescription.Masonhadusedanothernameandpaidincash,buttheattendanthadrememberedthebed.Areallybigone.Saidhiswifehadlefthimandhedidn'twantit.Hegavemetwentybuckstohelphimunloaditandgetitintothelocker.Ethanopenedthesmallboxoftoolshehadbroughtalongandselectedthe
pickhethoughtwoulddothejob.Hegotthestandardissuepadlockopeninlessthanfifteensecondsandrolled
thegaragedoor-styleclosureupintotheceiling.Hesawtheheadboardfirst.Itwasproppedintheshadowsagainsttheleft
wall,amassive,ornatechunkoffurniture.Thecoldglowofthefluorescentfixtureinthehalldidlittletoilluminatethe
Thecoldglowofthefluorescentfixtureinthehalldidlittletoilluminatetheinterior,buthecouldseetheendsofthesupersizedboxspringandmattress.Themattresswaswrappedinseveralyardsofopaqueplastic.Hetookoutthesmallflashlighthehadbrought,switchediton,andplayedthe
beamaroundtheroom.Inadditiontothebed,therewereanumberofpackingcartonsstackedinsidethelocker.Hetookaknifeoutofthetoolkitandslitopenthenearestcarton.Hewasnot
surprisedtofindatangledheapoffeminineclothinginside.Agoodstart,hethought.Hisnewclientmightevenbeimpressed.Butit
wouldbenicetohavealittlemoretotaketothecops.Hefoundwhatheneededwhenhewenttoworkcuttingawaythelayersof
plasticthatshroudedthemattress.Themassivebedwasbadlystainedwithaliquidthathaddriedtoan
unmistakableshadeofbrown.Blood.***Panichithardandfast.HadthebastardsfromXanadumanagedtotrackher
down?Orhadshehadtheextremelybadlucktotimeherlonelywalk-throughonthesameafternoonthataburglarhaddecidedtoenterthevacantresidence?Shehaddeactivatedthesophisticatedalarmsystemwhenshehadenteredafewminutesago,makingitalltooeasyforhim.Whatevertheanswer,shewastrapped.Hertote,withthephoneinside,wasa
millionmilesawayinthefronthall.Evenifshehaditinherhand,shecouldnotriskusingitbecausetheintruderwouldheareverywordshesaidintheechoingsilenceoftheemptyhouse.Thephonewasnottheonlythingthatwasalongwayaway.Hercarkeys
Thephonewasnottheonlythingthatwasalongwayaway.Hercarkeyswerealsointhetote.Theonlyadvantageshepossessedwasanintimateknowledgeoftheinterior
spacesofthelargeresidence.Pulsethuddingheavily,sheslippedoutofhersandalsandbegantoworkher
waybackalongtheguestwinghallwaytowardthekitchen."I'mgoingtohavetopunishyou,Zoe."DavisMasonspokefromsomewhere
inthegreatroomarea."JustasIdidJennifer.You'relikeherinsomeways.Icouldn'ttrusther,either.Ididn'twanttohurther,butsheforcedmetopunishherfrequently.Andthenshestartedtalkingaboutgettingadivorce.Well,Icouldn'tallowhertodothat,couldI?Ihadtokillher,yousee."Shealmoststoppedbreathing.DavisMason.NotsomeonefromXanaduora
passingburglar.Talkaboutyourgoodnews,badnewsdays."You'reprobablywonderinghowIfigureditout."Davissoundedasthough
hewasaddressingtheweeklymeetingofhisbusinessclub."I'mnotstupid,youknow.Thatfirstdaywhenyoucametolookatmyhouse,Irealizedthatyoumusthaveseensomethinginthebedroom.Untilthatmoment,everythinghadbeenfine.Butthenyousuddenlytensedup.Icouldtellthatyouwerenervous.Youcouldn'twaittogetaway.Andyouaskedaboutthebed."Shecouldhearhisfootstepsonthetilesofthegrandcentralhall.Hewasnot
makinganyefforttoconcealhimself.Hesoundedsoarrogant,soconfidentthatsheknewhemusthaveagun."Ifollowedyoubacktoyouroffice,"Davissaid."Isawyoumeetyourfriend
atthatcafe.IthoughtmaybeI'dbeenwrongaboutyou.Maybeitwasallokay,afterall.ButjustasIwasabouttodriveaway,yougotupfromthetableandwalkedseveralblockstotheofficeofthatprivateinvestigatoronCobaltStreet."Herbarefeetmadenosoundonthecooltile.Shetookanothersteptowardher
goal."Itoldmyselfthatyoumighthavesomepersonalreasonformeetingwitha
PI.Areasonthathadnothingtodowithme.Afterall,ifyoususpectedI'dkilled
PI.Areasonthathadnothingtodowithme.Afterall,ifyoususpectedI'dkilledJennifer,you'dhavegonestraighttothepolice,right?Butthenyoucalledmeyesterdaymorningandaskedtobringacontractortothehouse.Aftertellingmethatyoudidn'thaveanytimeformeuntilFriday.Iknewthenthatyouwerelying,justlikeJenniferusedtodo."Hewasgettingcloser."Whenthatdamnedcontractorstartedtalkingaboutbeds,Iknewthathewas
probablythatPIfromCobaltStreetandthatyoumusthaveaskedhimtofindJennifer.Iknewthenthatthereasonyoudidn'tgotothecopswasbecauseyouhadnoproof."Shetookanotherstep."Youknowwhat,Zoe?Yourinvestigatorneverwillfindanyproof.Iputthat
bedintostorage.Gotanyideahowmanyhundreds,maybethousandsofrentalstoragelockercompaniesthereareinthisstate?"Davischuckled."NeitherdoI.Talkaboutaneedleinahaystack.EvenifitoccurstoTruaxtocheckoutthestoragelockerangle,hewouldn'tknowwheretostart."Herhandbrushedagainstacool,steelsurface."I'mafraidyou'regoingtobethevictimofaburglaryousurprisedwhenyouwalkedintothishousealonetoday,Zoe.Youknow,it'sreallytoobadthingshadtoendthisway.Icouldhaveusedsomegoodfengshui."***EthanstoodinZoe'sofficeandlistenedtotheringingofhercellphone.
Eventuallyhefellintovoicemail."ThisisZoeLuce.Pleaseleaveamessage.""ThisisTruax.Callmeassoonasyougetthismessage."Herattledoffthe
numberanddroppedthephoneintohisjacketpocket.Theedgytensionvibratedthroughhimlikeelectricitythroughawire.
Everythingfeltwrong.HelookedatZoe'scalendaragain,butnothinghadmaterializedinthespace
reservedforthatafternoonsincehehadlastcheckeditafewsecondsago.
Wherethehellwasshe?Hehateditwhenclientsdisappearedlikethis.It
alwaysmeanttrouble.Heflippedthroughhertelephonecardfile,foundMason'sofficenumber,and
dialedit.Awomanwithapleasantvoiceanswered."MasonInvestments.""DavisMason,please.""I'mafraidMr.Masonisoutoftheofficethisafternoon.MayItakea
message?""No,I'llbeintouch."Hecheckedthespeed-dialfunctiononthephoneandfoundonlyonenumber
hadbeenentered.Therewasn'tevenaname,justtheletterA.Hecalledit."GalleryEuphoria,"awomansaidinavoicethatbelongedtoanightclub
singer."I'mlookingforZoe.""Whoisthis?""EthanTruax.I'mworkingforher.It'simportantthatIlocateherimmediately.
Anyideawheresheis?""TruaxInvestigations?""Yes.""I'maclosefriendofZoe's.Issomethingwrong?""She'snothere.Hercalendarisblankfortheafternoon."
"She'snothere.Hercalendarisblankfortheafternoon.""IsthisaboutDavisMason?""Yes,"hesaidtryingtohangontohispatience,"Justtellmewhereyouthink
shemightberightnow.""Isawheratlunch.Shetoldmethatshewasgoingtodoafinalwalk-through
atthehomeofaclienttoday.""Givemeaname.""TheTaylors.ThereshouldbeanumberandanaddressinZoe'sfiles.What's
thisallabout?Didyouturnupsomethingimportant,Mr.Truax?""Thebed."***Zoe'scarwasparkedinthedrive.TherewasnoindicationthatMasonor
anyoneelsewasinthevicinity.Ethantoldhimselfthatwasagoodsign,buthisgutwasn'tbuyingit.Heremovedhispistolfromthecenterconsoleandgotoutofthecar.There
wasnoneedtoworryaboutalarmingtheneighbors.Thelotswerelargeinthisneighborhood.Thenearesthousewasalmostaquartermileaway.Hewenttothefrontdoor.Theknobturnedeasilyinhishand.Helethimselfintoanelegantfronthall.Thefirstthinghenoticedwasared
tote.Thesecondthingwasaslightdraft.Therewasanotherdoororawindowopeninthehouse."Zoe?"Therewasnoresponse.
Therewasanintercompanelonthewall.Atthetopwasabuttonlabeledsendall.Hepressedit."Zoe,thisisTruax.Talktome."Thewordsechoedthrougheveryroominthehouse."Ethan,getout,"Zoeshoutedthroughtheintercom.Shehadalsohitsendall.
Herwarningblaredfromeveryspeakerintheplace."Mason'shere.He'sgotagun.""Bigdeal.I'vegotone,too.Areyouokay?""Yes,I'minsidethewinecellar."Shesoundedbreathless,butcoherent."The
doorislocked.Hecan'tgettome.Afewsecondsagohewasinthekitchen,butIdon'tknowwhereheisnow.ForGod'ssake,getoutofhere.Callthecops."Hedidnotrespond.Hewasoutofhisshoes,movingsilentlydownalong,
airycentralhallwitharchedopenings.Hecouldseethelivingroomandkitchenarea.Footstepseruptedsuddenlyfromthevicinityofthekitchen.Masonburstinto
view,fleeingtowardFrenchdoorsthatopenedontoawalledpatioandpool."Stop.It'sover,Mason."Masonspunaround,guncomingup.Ethandovebehindthenearestsolidobject,anornatewoodenchest.Masonfiredwildly.Aglasscasecontainingacollectionofantiquesilverandturquoisejewelry
explodednearby.AcoldrainofshardsfellaroundEthan."Youcan'ttouchme,"Masonshouted."You'llneverproveanything.Youhear
me?You'llneverproveit."
Thegunroaredagain.Shotsthuddedintotheheavychest.Theguyhadgoneovertheedge,Ethanthought.Hemadehiswaytothefarendofhiswoodenbarricade,leanedaroundthe
corner,andsqueezedoffasingleshot.Masonyelped,jerked,flailedwildly,andthencrashedheadlongontothetile
floor.Hedroppedtheguntoclutchhisrightleg.Ethancountedtofivebeforegettingtohisfeet.Piecesofglassfellfromhis
shirtandhairandskitteredonthetile."Ethan,wait."Zoewasflyingtowardhimdownthehall,sandalsinherhand.
"There'sglasseverywhereandyou'realreadybleeding."HedidnottakehiseyesoffMason."Youshouldn'thavecomeoutherealone
today."Sheignoredthatandslidherfeetintohersandals."Hangon,"shesaidwithstartlinggentleness."I'llgetarugtocovertheglass."Shewastalkingtohimasifshethoughthewasinshock,herealized.Maybe
shedidn'tknowhewasjustfurious."GetMason'sgunfirst,"hesaid."Right."Shescoopeduptheweaponandbroughtitbacktohim.Thenshe
seizedalongcarpetrunnerandtosseditdownacrosstheworstoftheglass.Whenshestraightened,hegotagoodlookatherface.Sheappearedtoopale,
butshewasobviouslyincontrol.Shegavehimaquick,frowningsurvey,andthensheuntiedthelittleredand
orangesilkscarfsheworeatherthroatandhandedittohim."Thatcutdoesn'tlooktoobad,butit'sgettingmessy."
looktoobad,butit'sgettingmessy."Hefeltsomethingwarmandwetandrealizedthatatrickleofbloodwas
runningdownhisjaw.AbsentlyhedabbedatitwiththesilkscarfashecrossedthelivingroomtowhereMasonlay,moaning.Zoefollowed.Masonclenchedhisthighwithbothhands,grittinghisteeth.Apoolofblood
hadformedonthetiles."Youcan'tproveanything."Masonlookedup,hisfacetwistedwithpainand
rage."Youcan'tproveadamnedthing.""Don'tbetonit."Ethanbrushedacoupleofsliversofglassoffhisshirt,
reachedintohispocket,andtookouthisphone."Ifoundthebed."
ChapterEight"Okay,"Zoesaid,"Howdidyoufindthatbed?"EthantookaswallowofthechampagneArcadiahadinsistedonorderingfor
thetableandputdowntheglass.Champagnewasnothisbeverageofchoice,butZoeseemedtolikeitandhewastryingtogoalongwiththeclient.HeconsoledhimselfwiththethoughtthathecouldalwayspourhimselfastiffshotofwhiskeylaterwhenhegotbacktoNightwinds.Itwaslate,andthetrendylittleFountainSquarerestaurantwasstartingto
emptyout.Afewcoupleslingered,andtherewasonelargegrouponthefarsideoftheroom.Herecognizedafamiliarfaceandfigureditforabusinessdinner.IthadbeenZoe'sideathattheygoouttoeatafterthelongsessionwiththe
police.Theywerebothexhausted,andshesaidshewasconcernedabouttheirstresslevels.Theyneededtounwind."Dinnerisonme,"shesaid."It'stheleastIcandoafterwhathappenedtoday."Theofferhadsoundedtoogoodtobetrue,and,aswasoftenthecasewith
suchoffers,itprovedtobeexactlythat.ZoeinvitedArcadiaAmestojointhem.Theresultwasthatinsteadofanintimatedinnerfortwoduringwhichhecouldhavetoldheringreatdetailwhyshe'dhadnobusinesstakingoffalonethatafternoon,hewasstuckwiththisnot-so-cozythreesome.Hewasacutelyawarethathehadnorealgroundsforcomplaint.Ifithadnot
beenforArcadia,hemightstillbelookingforZoe.EverytimehethoughtaboutZoelockingherselfinsidethehigh-tech,steel-
dooredwinecellartoescapeacrazywifekiller,hefelttheinchoateangerandgotthefreezingsensationinhisgutalloveragain.Ithadbeensodamnedclose.Soherethethreeofthemsat,squeezedintoasnugcornerbooth,sipping
champagne.Maybeitwasbetterthisway,hethought.HisrelationshipwithZoe
champagne.Maybeitwasbetterthisway,hethought.HisrelationshipwithZoewassupposedtobeallbusiness,andthetruthwasheprobablywouldhavetriedsomethingreallystupidifhe'dfoundhimselfalonewithhertonight.Theproblemwasthateventhoughhewaswellandtrulypissed,healso
wantedverybadlytotakehertobed.Theresultingtensionhadmadehimalittlesurly,anditwashardworktryingtoconcealhisbadtemper."Thebed,"hesaid,focusingontheneutraltopic."Right,intheendthat
provedtobeMason'sbiggestproblem.Itwaseasyenoughtowraphisdeadwifeintheshowercurtainsandburyherinthebackgarden.Buthecouldn'tquiteseediggingaholebigenoughtoburyaking-sizedboxspringandmattress.""Thatmighthavegottentheattentionofsomeofhisneighbors,"Zoesaid
dryly."Buthecouldn'tjusthaulthemofftoalandfill,either.Peopleprowlthroughlandfillslookingforthingstosalvageandthebedwasinprettygoodshape.""Exceptforthestains,ofcourse."Arcadiaturnedherchampagnefluteslowly
betweenherfingertips."Heknewthatiftheblood-soakedmattresseverturnedupitcouldbeusedasevidenceoffoulplay."Ethannodded.OnthesurfacehecouldnotseewhatZoeandArcadiahadin
common,buttheemotionaltiethatboundthemtogetherwasunmistakableanditworriedhim.Hewonderediftheconnectionbetweenthetwowomenwassexual.Hisinstinctstoldhimthatitwasnot,buthedidnottrusthisgutreactionwhenitcametothatkindofthing.Womenwereamystery.Hisinstinctsmightbeindenialtonightbecauseallhecouldthinkaboutwashavinghot,sweatysexwithZoe.Getyourmindoutofthegutter,Truax.You'resupposedtobeaprofessional.Zoesmiledathim.Shelookedbetterthanshehadafewhoursagowhenshe
hademergedfromthewinecellar,buttherewasanunnaturalbrightnessinhereyes.Heknewwhatwascausingit.Shewasfeelingtheaftereffectsoftheadrenaline,justashewas."Daviswassurethatyouwouldneverbeabletofindthebed,"shesaid."He
claimedthatevenifyouguessedthatitwasinstoragesomewhere,therewasno
claimedthatevenifyouguessedthatitwasinstoragesomewhere,therewasnowayyoucouldfindtherightrentalfacility.Hesaidtherewerehundreds,maybethousandsoftheminthestate.""Probablyare."Ethanremovedthelidoftheclaywarmerinthecenterofthe
tableandremovedanotherplumpcorntortilla.Hedippeditintooneofthethreesalsasthatthewaiterhadbroughttothetable.They'dfinishedthesalads,butthemaincourseshadnotarrivedyetandhewasravenous."So?"Zoeprompted."Thethingis,Ididn'tneedtosearcheverystoragelockerfacilityinthestate."
Hetookabiteofthetortilla."Ionlyhadtocheckouttheonesthatcouldbereachedwithinaboutathirty-minutedrivefromDesertView.Ialsoassumedthatinordertoremainasanonymousaspossible,Masonwouldhavegonewithalargeoperationthathadlotsoflockers,notasmalloutfitwheresomeonewasmorelikelytorememberhim.Thatcutthenumberofpossibilitiesdowntoamanageablenumber.Igotonthephoneandstartedcalling.""Waitasecond."Zoeheldupahand."Howdidyouknowthatthestorage
facilityhadtobelocatedwithinathirty-minutedrivingradiusofDesertView?""Igotthepickupanddrop-offtimesoftherentedtruckthatMasonused.I
knewalmostexactlywhenheleftDesertViewwiththebed.Itwasn'thardtocalculatehowfarhecouldhavegone,allowingforthetimetounloadthebedatthelockerfacility."Hepausedtotakeanotherbiteofthesalsa-lacedtortillaandnoticedthatthe
businessdinnerontheothersideoftheroomwasbreakingup.Attheheadofthetable,thebig,sandy-hairedmanintheexpensivelinenblendjacketpickedupthetabfortheotherfivepeoplewithaneasyflourish.Itwasnicetohavealargebudgetforentertainingclients,Ethanthought.He
turnedhisattentionbacktohisownclientandhercompanion.Zoegavehimanadmiringlook."I'mimpressed.Youmakeitsoundsosimple
andlogical.Themindofadetectiveisanamazingthing."
"Thanks,"Ethansaid."I'vealwayswantedtobelovedformymind."Damn.Thatwasnotquitewhathehadwantedtosay,hethought.Maybehe
hadbetterlayoffthechampagne.Itdidnotseemtobemixingwellwiththeaftermathoftheadrenalinecocktailthatstillflowedthroughhissystem.Arcadialookedfaintlyamused,butshedidnotsayanything.IfZoefoundthe
crackaboutbeinglovedforhisbraininappropriate,shegavenoindication."I'mstillalittleconfusedthough,"shesaid,seriousagain."Howdidyou
figureoutwhichtruckrentalcompanyMasonusedandhowdidyoufindoutpreciselywhenheleftDesertView?"Ethanstartedtoanswer,buthebrokeoffwhenthebigmaninthestylish
jacketsuddenlyloomedoverthetable."Truax."NelsonRadnorgavehimaneasygrin."Goodtoseeyou.Ihearyou
closedabigonetoday.Congratulations.""Wordtravelsfast,"Ethansaid."I'vegotmysources."Nelsonexaminedthebandagethatcoveredaportionof
Ethan'sjawandraisedhisbrows."Lookslikeyougotknockedaroundalittle.""Justsomeflyingglass."Ethanglancedacrossthetable."ZoeLuce,Arcadia
Ames.ThisisNelsonRadnor."Zoemadetheconnectionimmediately."RadnorSecuritySystems?"Nelsongaveheranapprovingsmile."Right.Apleasure.Iunderstandthere
wasawomanatthescenethisafternoonwhenTruaxtookMasondown.CanIassumeitwasoneofyoutwolovelyladies?""I'dappreciateitifyouwouldn'tmakeanyassumptions,"Ethansaidevenly.
"Myclientwouldliketokeepalowprofileinthismatter.""Noproblem."NelsonswitchedhisattentiontoArcadia."Truaxisalucky
"Noproblem."NelsonswitchedhisattentiontoArcadia."Truaxisaluckymantobeenjoyingsuchcharmingcompanionshiptonight.Gotahunchhe'shavingalotmorefunthanIdid."ThebestthatcouldbesaidforArcadia'ssmile,Ethanthought,wasthatitwas
polite.Therecertainlywasn'tmuchwarmthinit.NotthatRadnorseemedtonotice.Ethanangledhisheadtowardthesmallgroupofpeoplemakingtheirway
towardthefrontdoor."Clientdinner?""Yeah.Routine."Nelsoncastaquick,satisfiedglanceatthedeparting
membersofhisdinnerparty."ThemanagerandsomeofhispeoplefromLasEstrellas.""Thenewresortoutsideoftown?"Zoeasked.Nelsonnodded."LookslikeRadnorwillbehandlingsecurityforthem.""Congratulations,"Ethansaid."Nicecontract.""Thanks.Youknow,Imaygiveyouacalloneofthesedays,Truax.We're
runningatfullsteamoveratRadnor.Mightbeabletothrowalittleofthesmallstuffyourway.Youinterestedinsomesubcontractingwork?""Depends,"Ethansaidcarefully."I'llbeintouch."Nelsonappearedtorealizethathehadoverstayedhis
welcome.HenoddedatZoeandArcadia,hisgazelingeringanextrasecondorsoonArcadia,andthenhemovedbackapace."I'llletyoufolksgetonwithyourdinner.Seeyouaround,Truax."Hewalkedofftowardthedooroftherestaurant."Icallhimmycompetition,"Ethansaid."Butthetruthis,we'renoteven
playinginthesameleague.""Maybenot."Zoesoundedamused."ButifIhadtoguess,I'dsayhe's
jealous."
jealous.""OfthefactthatIgettohavedinnerwithyoutwoinsteadofthosefolksfrom
LasEstrellas?"Ethannodded."Aswellheshouldbe."Zoeshookherhead."He'snotjealousbecauseyou'reeatingdinnerwithus.
It'sbecauseofwhatyoudidtoday.""She'sright."Arcadiasaidwithquietcertainty."Radnormightbethebig-time
operatorhereintownwhenitcomestothesecuritybusiness,buthispositionastheCEOofalargecorporationmeanshe'llprobablyneverhaveanopportunitytoplaytheheroicprivateinvestigatorwhocomestotherescueinthenickoftimethewayyoudidtoday."Zoechuckled."Probablynotmuchopportunityforswashbucklingwhen
you'reinthebusinessofdoingroutineemployeebackgroundchecksandsupplyingguardsforplaceslikeDesertViewandLasEstrellas.""Gotnewsforyou,"Ethansaid."Myswashnearlybuckledpermanentlytoday
whenIrealizedyouwereinthathousealonewithMason.Talkaboutstressingoutonthejob.ThankGodyouhadthepresenceofmindtogetintothatfancycooler.""It'snotacooler.It'sastate-of-the-artwinecellarcompletewithitsown
refrigerationandhumiditycontrolsystems."Shespokeveryevenly."TheroomwasdesignedtobephysicallysecurebecausetheTaylorscollectextremelyvaluableoldvintages.""Andanotherthing,"hecontinued,gettingintoitnow."Youshouldhave
stayedinsidethatstate-of-the-artcooleruntilthecoastwasclear."Shesaidnothing.Arcadiastiffened."Ihadn't,"shesaidslowly,"thoughtaboutthesizeofthe
winecellar."ShebrokeoffandgaveZoeasharp,searchinglook."Areyousureyou'reokay?""Yes,"Zoesaidfirmly."Itwasjustaroom,Arcadia.Icanonlythankheaven
"Yes,"Zoesaidfirmly."Itwasjustaroom,Arcadia.IcanonlythankheavenitwasavailablewhenIneededit."Arcadia'smouthtightened."Havesomemorechampagne."Shedidnotwaitforaresponse.Haulingthebottleoutoftheicebucket,she
refilledZoe'sglass.Ethanwatchedthetwowomeninsilence.I'mdefinitelymissingsomething
here.Itwouldn'tbethefirsttime,ofcourse,buthehadafeelingthiswassomethingimportant,somethingheneededtoknow.ZoelookedatEthan."Ibelieveyouwereabouttotellushowyoucameto
learnsomanyofthedetailsaboutthetimingofMason'smovementsthedayherentedthetruck.""Yes."Arcadiawatchedhimwithaspeculativeexpression."Finishyourstory.
Howdidyoucomebyallthosefactsandfigures?""Radnor'sacheapemployer,"Ethansaid."HechargestheDesertView
CommunityAssociationalotofmoneytosupplysecurityguards,buthedoesn'tpayhismenverywell."Zoe'seyeswidened."YoubribedoneoftheDesertViewguardstoletyou
lookatthegatelogs?""Yeah.""Thestraightforwardapproach.Ilikethat,"Arcadiastated."Soelegantlysimple.Whydidn'tIthinkofthat?"Zoemarveled."Probablybecauseyouarenotatraineddetective,"Ethansaid."Thatmustbeit,"sheagreed."HowmuchdoesitcosttobribeaRadnor
securityguard?""You'llfindoutwhenyougetmybill.Thatbribe,aswellastheoneIusedto
gettheattendantatthestoragefacilitytolooktheotherwaywhileIopened
gettheattendantatthestoragefacilitytolooktheotherwaywhileIopenedMason'slocker,willbelistedundermiscellaneousexpenses."***Outsidetherestaurant,thedesertnightfeltgoodbutitdidnothingtodispel
Zoe'sstrangemood.Shewonderedifshehaddrunktoomuchchampagne.Arcadiahadrefilledherglassseveraltimes.Sheknewwhyherfriendwasdeliberatelytryingtogetheralittledrunk.Arcadiawasworriedaboutthetimeinthewinecellar.Asmallroomwithalockeddoor.AsArcadiasuspected,theexperiencehadbroughtbackalotofunpleasant
memoriesthattonightmightwelltriggerafewbaddreamsabouthertimeinXanadu.Butitwasnotasiftherehadbeenalotofoptionsthisafternoon.ThewinecellarhadkepthersafeuntilEthanhadarrived.Thatwastheimportantthing.ToobadtherehadbeennoEthanTruaxtocometotherescueatXanadu.She
andArcadiahadbeenforcedtofindtheirownwayoutofthatnightmare.ShewatchedEthanfromthecornerofhereyeashewalkedbesidehertoward
thecar.Hishairgleameddarklyinthelightofthestreetlamps.Hisfacewasinshadow.Hemovedthroughthenightwithaneasyconfidence,relaxedbutawareofhissurroundings.Shehadthefeelingthatthetrickwasahabitthatcamenaturallytohim.ThethreeofthemgotintoEthan'sSUV.Arcadiagavedirectionstohercondo.
Whentheyarrived,ZoeandEthanwalkedhertoherdoor.ShepausedinthewhitecarpetedhalltolooksearchinglyatZoeonelasttime."Areyousureyou'llbeokayalonetonight?"sheasked."You'rewelcometo
stayhere.Youknowthat.""Thanks,I'llbeokay."Thatwasalie.Itwasgoingtobeabadnight.Butthere
wasnothinganyonecoulddoaboutthenightmares.Shehadtodealwiththemonherown."Don'tworryaboutme.IfIcan'tgettosleep,I'llspendthetimethinkingupwaystoexplaintotheTaylorswhytheirantiqueSpanishchesthas
thinkingupwaystoexplaintotheTaylorswhytheirantiqueSpanishchesthasbulletholesinit.""Allright.I'llseeyoutomorrow."ArcadialookedatEthan."Youprobably
needrest,too.""Probably,"hesaid,notsoundingoverlyconcerned.Arcadiaclosedthedoor.Zoeheardherslidetheheavyboltintoplace.Itwas
followedbythemuffledclinkofachain.EthanglancedbackatthedoorasheandZoeturnedtogodownthestairs.
"Soundslikeyourfriendtakessecurityseriously.""Webothdo.Awomancan'tbetoocareful.""Yeah,youdidsortofprovethattoday,didn'tyou?"Thetoo-neutral,give-nothing-awaytonewasbackinhisvoice,shenoticed.
Hewasinanedgy,unpredictablemood,justasshewas,butshedidnothaveacluetowhathewasthinking.Sheremindedherselfthathehadbeenthroughaverytraumaticexperiencethatafternoon.Outsideonthestreet,theygotbackintohisvehicle.Theinteriorseemeda
gooddealsmallerandtheatmospherefarmoreintimatethanithadafewminutesagowhentherehadbeenthreeofthem.ShewasveryconsciousofEthansittingsoclose.Hewasnotoneofthose
beefymenlikeNelsonRadnorwholookedasifhe'dplayedfootballincollegeandwhoalwaysseemedtocrowdawoman.Nevertheless,Ethansomehowmanagedtotakeupmorethanhisshareoftheavailablespace.Hisnearnessdidthingstohernerveendings,unfamiliarthings,thingsshecouldnotrememberexperiencingbeforearoundaman,noteveninherotherlife.Shewonderedifshewassufferingsomeformofdelayedshock.Hedrovetheshortdistancetothetwo-storybuildingthathousedher
apartmentandparkedinthelot.
Withoutaword,hegotoutofthecarandopenedthedooronthepassenger
side.Sheknewwhathewasprobablythinking.Acedetectivethathewas,hecouldnothelpbutnoticethattheCasadeOroApartmentsdidnotexactlyliveuptoitsgrand-soundingname.Butwhiletheplacewasnohouseofgoldandalthoughitwasconsiderablymoredown-marketthanArcadia'sluxurycondo,itwaseverythingithadclaimedtobeinthenewspaperadshehadanswered:clean,quiet,and,mostimportantofall,affordable.Clutchinghertote,sheextricatedherselffromthecloseconfinesofthe
interiorandwalkedwithhimtothegreenwrought-irongate.Itwaslate,sherealized,reachingintohertotefortheheavykeyring,almost
midnight.Itwasstrangetothinkthat,afterallsheandEthanhadbeenthroughtogethertoday,shehardlyknewhim.Yetherehewas,takingherhome.ShewonderedwhathewouldsayifsheinformedhimthathewasthefirstmantogetthisclosetoherfrontdoorsinceshehadmovedtoWhisperingSprings.Thenagainmaybehewouldnotbeinterestedinthatsmallfactoid.Probably
justhandherhisitemizedbillandaskherwhenitwouldbeconvenientforhertotakealookattheroomhewantedhertodesign."Here,I'lldothatforyou."Ethantookthekeychainfromherhandand
mutteredsomethingbeneathhisbreathwhenhefelttheheftofit.Holdingituptothelight,heexaminedthelargemetalballattachedtothering."Whydon'tyoujustgetyourselfanicerockifyouwanttoaddalittleextraweighttoyourpurse?""It'sanantiquedoorknob.IfounditinanoldresidenceIredidafewmonths
ago.Itookittoalocalcraftsmanwhoworksinmetalandhadhimattachthekeyringtoit.""Icanseethatit'sabigolddoorknob."Hetwistedthekeyinthegatelock.
"WhatIdon'tunderstandiswhyyou'reusingitforakeyring.Somekindofdesignstatement?"Shegavehimacoolsmile."It'sbigenoughthatIcanfinditeasilyinmytote."
"Uh-huh."Hedidnotlookimpressedwithherexplanation."Yousureashell
don'twanttodropitaccidentallyonyourbigtoe.You'lllimpforaweek.""I'mcareful."Sheslippedquicklythroughthegateandledthewayalongthe
walktothedoorthatopenedontothesmalllobby.Hefollowed,carryingthebrassdoorknobinhishand."It'sthelong,silverkey,"shesaid.Heopenedthedoorandstoodaside.Shemovedintothelobbyandstopped,
lookedupwithindecision.Shouldshesaygoodnighthereorallowhimtoseehertothedoorofherapartment?Didoneofferacupofcoffeetoamanwhohadarguablysavedone'slife?Anotherchillofawarenesswentthroughheratthethoughtoftakinghim
upstairstoherapartment.Thiswasano-brainer.Clearlythesmartthingtodowastobidhimgoodnighthereinthelobby.Sowhywasshedithering?Ethanstudiedherwithanassessingexpression."Yousureyou'reokay?You
don'tlookgood.""Thanks.Youreallyknowhowtoflattertheclient,don'tyou?""Thinkofitasaprofessionalobservation.""I'mstillfeelingalittlejumpy,that'sall.ItoldArcadiathatI'mexhausted,and
that'strueasfarasitgoes.ButI'mallrevvedupinside.IfeellikeI'llneversleepagain.""Youoverdosedonadrenalinetoday,"hesaid."Webothdid.Toomuchof
thatstuffdoesarealnumberonyournervoussystem.Takesawhiletogetpastthejag.""Iknow,"shesaidautomatically,notstoppingtothink."Beenthroughitbefore,huh?"
Thathadbeendumb,shethought.Itoccurredtoherthat,betweentheevents
ofthedayandthechampagne,herdefensesweredangerouslylow.Shehadbettergetupstairstoherapartmentbeforeshesaidanythingelseequallystupid."I'veheardaboutthesyndrome,"shesaidsmoothly."Soundslikeyou've
experienceditpersonally.""Onceortwice.Goeswiththejob,occasionally."Helookedatthestairwell.
"I'mbettingyou'reupstairs.""Yes."Thiswasthemomentwhensheshouldthankhimonceagainfor
comingtoherrescueandsaygoodnight.Butthewordsseemedtohavegottenstuckinherthroat.Hegaveheranothercriticalsurveyandthengraspedherelbowinafirmgrip.
"I'dbetterseeyoutoyourdoor.Idon'tthinkyoushouldbewanderingaroundlooseinyourpresentcondition.""I'mallright,really."Sheclungtohertoteasifitwereaflotationdeviceand
shewasabouttojumpintosomeverydeepwater."You'retheonewhogottheworstofittoday."Butshedidnotresistwhenhesteeredherupthestaircase.Shecouldfeelthe
powerinthehandwrappedaroundherarm.Ifheweretotightenhisgripfractionally,sheknewshewouldbeunabletoescape.Butshealsosensedthecontrolthatseemedtobesomuchapartofhim.Thecombinationofstrengthandself-disciplinewasdisconcertinglysensual.Maybeitwasjustthisstrangemoodshewasintonight.Sheremindedherself
forwhatwasprobablythetwo-hundredthtimethathewasnothertype.AtthelandingEthanpausedtostudythedoorsthatlinedthehall."Which
one?""Thecornerapartment."Hewalkedhertothedoor,selectedthecorrectkeyfromtheheavyring,and
Hewalkedhertothedoor,selectedthecorrectkeyfromtheheavyring,andletherinsidehersnuglittlehome.Shemovedquicklyintotheminiaturefoyer,turnedontheoverheadlight,and
lookedathim."HaveIthankedyouforwhatyoudidtoday?"Heproppedoneshoulderagainstthedoorframeandfoldedhisarms."You've
mentioneditacoupleoftimes.Ifyoudoitagain,I'llprobablystartbackinonmylectureabouthowyoushouldn'thavegoneoutalonetotheTaylorplacethisafternoon."Sheshuddered."I'djustassoonnothearthatparticularspeechagain.ButIdo
wantyoutoknowI'mverygratefulforwhatyoudidtoday."Hismouthcurvedfaintly."IguessthisisthepointwhereIgettosay,allpart
ofthejob,ma'am.You'llgetmybillinthemorning."Forsomereasonshefoundthatincrediblyfunny.Shesmiled.Thesmileturnedintoagiggle.Andthensherealizedshecouldnotstop.Somethingwaswrong.Shenevergiggled,atleastnotinthisunnatural,high-
pitchedway.I'mlosingit.Horrified,shedroppedthetoteonthefloorandslappedherpalmoverher
mouth.IntenselyawareofEthanwatchingher,shetookadeepbreath.Thenshetookanother.Mercifullytherunawaylaughtersubsided.Cautiouslyshetookherhandawayfromhermouth.Shecouldfeelherselfturningredwithembarrassment."Sorry,"shemumbled."Me,too,"hesaid."Thatwasn'tmybestline.""Maybethechampagnewasnotsuchagoodideatonight,"shesaid."I'msureitseemedlikeitatthetime."
"Yes,itdid.""MindifIaskyouapersonalquestion?""Idon'tknow."Somethinginhisexpressionmadehercautious."What'sthe
question?""YouandArcadia.Areyoutwo,uh,acouple?"Ittookheratleasttwobeatstoprocessthatquery.Thenshemanagedtograsp
hismeaning."No,"shesaid."We'refriends.Veryclosefriends.Butwe'renotlovers.I'm
notgayandArcadiais,well,I'mnotsurewhatsheis,tobeperfectlyhonest.ArcadiaisArcadia.We'veneverdiscussedhersexualorientation.""ThatwasthewayIhaditfigured,butIjustwantedtobesure."Shecouldnotseemtolookawayfromhim.Timewasslowingdownand
turningviscous.Shefeltlikeabutterflytryingtomovethroughthickhoney."Why?"shewhispered.Ethanstraightenedverydeliberately,unfoldedhisarms,andtookonestep
forwardintothehall."BecauseIdidn'twanttomakeacompletefooloutofmyselfwhenIkissed
you,"hesaid.Timestoppedaltogether.Thiswasoneofthosedeer-in-the-headlights
moments,shethought.Shegropedforsomethingintelligenttosay,triedtocomeupwithasmart,sophisticatedwaytobreakthroughtheheavyspellthatheldherinthrall.Butherbrainrefusedtoengage.Alloftherestless,chaoticenergythathadbeenebbingandflowingthrough
herforthepastfewhourssurgedabruptlytohightide.Everynerveinherbodywasshimmeringwithatensionthatwasnotunlikewhatshehadexperiencedwhenshehadheardthegunshotsoutsidethewinecellar.
whenshehadheardthegunshotsoutsidethewinecellar.Thememoryofthatmomentofhorrifieddreadjoltedheroutofthesilence."Iwasterrifiedthathe'dshotyou,"shewhispered.Ethanputhishandsonher
shoulders.Heflexedhisfingers,tighteninghisgripexperimentally,asifwaitingtoseeifshewouldtrytorun.Hedrewherslowlytowardhim."Allthemorereasonwhyyoushouldn'thavegoneouttherealonetoday,"he
said.Hereallywasangry,shethought.Ormaybenot.Itwasimpossibletobecertainofanythingexcepttheheatinhiseyes.Itwassointenseitcouldhavethawedaniceberg.Itwascertainlydoingaterrificjobofmeltingsomethingdeepinsideher,somethingthathadbeenfrozenforalongtime.Sheraisedherfingerstothesmallbandageattheedgeofhisjaw.Hehadgone
hometoshowerandchangeafterthesessionwiththepolice.Evidentlyhehadtakenthetimetoshave,too.Itwasincrediblyexhilaratingtotouchhimlikethis."Areyoureallymadat
me?"sheasked,intrigued."I'mnotsure,"hemuttered."MaybeI'mjustpissedoffatmyselfforlettingthesituationgetoutofcontrol.Ishouldneverhaveallowedyoutogetintothatmess.""Itwasn'tyourfault.""Yeah,itwasmyfault."Hepulledherhardagainsthimandputhismouth
veryclosetohers."Andthisisgoingtobemyfault,too.Noonetoblameherebutmyself.Ireallyhatewhenthathappens."Hismouthclosedoverhers,fierceanddemanding.Herresponsewas
immediateandelectric.Excitementcrashedthroughher.Shewasliterallyshakingwithit.Withatiny,muffledmoan,shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandclung
tohim.Sensationpouredthroughher,leavingherdazzledandbreathless.Shehadknowndesireinthepastbutneverlikethis.Shecouldfeelherselfgrowingdamp,andhewasjustkissingher.Shewasawarethatwhatwasleftoftherationalpartofhermindwastryingto
getamessagethrough,butsheignoredthewarning.Sheknewthatshehaddriftedintosomeuncharteddangerzone,butshenolongercared.
driftedintosomeuncharteddangerzone,butshenolongercared.SheandEthanhadsurvivedabrushwithdeathatthehandsofacold-blooded
killer.Asfarasshewasconcerned,theeventsofthedayhadcreatedabondthatwouldexistbetweenthemfortherestoftheirliveseveniftheyneversaweachotheragain.Thenagain,maybethatwashowyourationalizedaone-nightencounter,shethought.Worksforme.ShewasvaguelyawareofEthanclosingthedoorwithonehandwhilehe
pinnedhertohimwiththeother.Shewastoobusykissinghisthr