Brad glanced at the faint frown between Charlotte's eyes and then smiled slyly. “You couldn't budge me.”
“Great.” Cam slapped him on the shoulder before turning away. “Come on, Charlotte. Let's get this thing over with.” He strode out of the library.
Charlotte hesitated and started to speak.
“Don't say it,” Brad murmured. “We're on the same side.” He added, “If you don't piss me off.” He followed Cam into the foyer and watched George, the butler, help him into his coat. “Very impressive. I haven't worn a tux in fifteen years. Does that tell you anything?”
“It tells me you're damn lucky.” Cam took Charlotte's arm and helped her down the front steps toward the waiting limo. “Make yourself at home, but don't go to bed. You made me a promise.”
“Does that mean I can't get drunk on your excellent brandy?”
“No, I want you stone cold sober.” He smiled at him over his shoulder. “I have an ace in the hole and need to tell you about a job that may intrigue you enough to lure you here. It's right up your alley.”
“Weird and sinister?” he asked, straight-faced.
“I'm going to get my way, Brad.”
“Now, don't nag him, Cam,” Charlotte said gently. “Brad knows what he wants to do.”
“But not what's best for him.”
Brad watched them get into the limousine. He'd planned on going back inside, but he couldn't resist standing here and letting Charlotte see him so at home on her front step. Dressed in tennis shoes, worn jeans, and an old sweatshirt, he couldn't have been more of a blot on her fine landscape. His enjoyment was totally immature, but he didn't give a damn. He usually didn't mind Charlotte's attempts at manipulating Cam. She was a good wife to him and that was all that was important to Brad. Tonight she was trying to manipulate Brad as well, and that he couldn't tolerate.
“Would you like me to serve you coffee in the library, sir?” George asked from behind him.
“Why not?” He grinned at him over his shoulder. “Since I've been forbidden the comfort of—”
Whoosh.
“Dear God!” George's eyes were wide with shock.
Brad's head jerked around and followed his gaze to the limo.
“Christ in heaven!”
The interior of the limousine was a sheet of fire. He could see Cam and Charlotte writhing like burning scarecrows in the flames.
“Son of a bitch!”
He flew down the steps toward the car.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
SIX MONTHS LATER
Kerry carefully touched the blackened timber lying across the bathroom sink. It was still slightly warm from the fire that had destroyed the restaurant two days ago. That wasn't unusual. Sometimes, hidden pockets of embers remained burning for days.
Sam, her Lab, whined and pushed nearer to Kerry. He was easily bored and they'd been here at the burned-out ruins for over an hour.
“Be quiet.” She reached beneath the timber and dug. “We'll be out of here soon.”
There it was! With an effort she pushed the timber aside.
“Find anything?” Detective Perry asked from behind her. “Bad wiring?”
“No, gasoline,” Kerry said. “The fire originated here in the bathroom and spread throughout the restaurant.” She nodded at the burned and blackened device she'd found beneath the timber. “And a timing device to set it off.”
“Dumb.” The police detective shook his head. “I thought Chin Li was brighter than that. If he wanted to collect the insurance, why didn't he set the fire in the kitchen? He'd have had a better shot at convincing everyone the fire was accidental. You're sure?”
“Sam's sure.” She reached out and touched the dog's silky black head. “And I usually go along with him. He's not often wrong.”
“Yeah, so I've heard.” Perry awkwardly patted the dog's nose. “I don't understand how these arson dogs do it, but it makes my job a hell of a lot easier. I guess I'll go talk to Chin Li again. Too bad. He seemed like a nice little guy.”
“And not stupid?” Kerry got to her feet and dusted the soot off her palms. “Then maybe someone else set the fire. Someone who didn't have access to the kitchen. Insurance isn't always the right answer. Just the easy one.”
His eyes narrowed on her face. “Are you saying that I'm looking for an out?”
She grinned. “I wouldn't presume. I'm just saying that you should ask Chin Li if he had any enemies. Perhaps rivals in business? Or—this is a high-crime area—are there any protection rackets operating that might have decided to make him an example?”
“Possibly,” he said slowly. “There are a couple teenage gangs that are stepping up to the plate and trying to control the area.”
“Would they know how to set timing devices?”
“Everyone who has Internet has access to practically any information. Want to make an atomic bomb? Go on the Internet.”
She'd done all she could. Time to step out of the picture before he got belligerent. “Well, we'll know more once we finish the investigation. Sam and I are just the advance team.” She smiled. “And we're finished for now. Have a nice day, Detective.”
“Wait.” He said awkwardly, “This is a lousy neighborhood. If you'll wait until I finish with Chin Li, I'll give you an escort back to your office.”
“That's nice of you, but I'm not going back downtown. It's my day off and I'm going to visit a couple friends at the firehouse on Morningside.”
“If it's your day off, why are you here?”
“They needed Sam's nose.”
“Then I'll drive you and Sam's nose to this firehouse.” He frowned. “Why do they let you go to neighborhoods like this alone, anyway? You're just a little bit of a thing.”
She felt a prickle of resentment that she quickly quenched. She was average height, but she knew her slender frame and delicate bones made her appear smaller. He was a nice guy and she was used to having her fragile appearance equated with helplessness. She gave him the answer he was most likely to accept. “I have Sam to protect me.”
He gave the Lab a skeptical glance. “He may have a great nose, but he doesn't look very threatening to me.”
“It's because he has those crossed eyes. He's really a great guard dog.” She waved and carefully picked her way through the rubble toward the door. Sam lunged eagerly forward, almost pulling her from her feet. “Idiot,” she grumbled. “Do you want to break both our necks? I'd think you'd learn.”
Sam burst out into the street and started barking.
“Oh, God.” All she needed was to attract attention in this slum neighborhood. She hurriedly pulled the dog toward her 4Runner. She knew as well as the detective that Sam looked about as dangerous as a cuddly koala. “Why didn't I get a big German shepherd at that pound?”
Because she'd looked at him in that cage and hadn't been able to resist. “Let's go, Sam. And, for Pete's sake, shut up.”
Full house.” Kerry grinned as she pulled in the pot from the middle of the table. “That should just about take care of my rent for the month. Another hand?”
“No way.” Charlie grimaced as he pushed back his chair. “I'm cleaned out. I'm going to go peel the onions for dinner.” He cast a sly look over his shoulder. “Beef stroganoff. Remember? Firehouse Number Ten specialty of the house.”
“I'm drooling. May I stay?”
“Hell, no. Go back to your snooty office downtown and eat in that fancy cafeteria.”
“Cruel.” She looked at Jimmy Swartz and Paul Corbin. “Another hand, guys?”
“Not me.” Jimmy stood up. “I've got to have enough money to make sure my wife lets me in the house when my shift is over. Come on, Paul. Let's play a game of pool.” He gave Kerry a stern glance. “And, no, you can't play with us. This is for real firemen, not desk jockeys like you.”
“You're just scared I'll beat you.” She got up and followed Charlie to the kitchen. “You're trying to torture me. You know I love your stroganoff. Come on, let me stay.”
“Maybe.” Charlie handed her a bag of onions and a knife. “If you do the onions.”