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