Part 13 (1/2)
”Not if I can help it,” she muttered.
”What?”
”He appears to know his job,” she said calmly. ”Though his methods lack a certain style.”
”Arson's a dirty business. And a dangerous one. I'm worried about you, pal.”
”Don't be. You're the cop, remember.” She struggled out of her jacket, promising herself she'd hang it up before she left. ”I'm the CEO in the ivory tower.”
”I've never known you to stay there. I want you to keep me up-to- date on the investigation.”
”I can do that.” She wiggled out of her skirt, and guiltily left it pooled on the floor. ”And tell Mom and Dad, if you talk to them before I do, that things are under control. I won't bore you with all the business data-”
”I appreciate that.”
She grinned. Boyd had no patience with ledgers or bar graphs.
”But I'm about to put another very colorful feather in the Fletcher Industries cap.”
”With underwear.”
”Lingerie, darling.” A little breathless, she fastened on a strapless black bra. ”You can buy underwear at a drugstore.''
”Right. Well, I can tell you on a personal level, Cilia and I have both thoroughly enjoyed the samples you sent out. I particularly liked the little red thing with the tiny hearts.”
”I thought you would.” She stepped into the dress, tugged it up to her hips. ”With Valentine's Day coming up, you should think about ordering her the matching peignoir.”
”Put it on my tab. Take care of yourself, Nat.”
”I intend to. With any luck, I'll be seeing you next month. I'm going to scout out locations in Denver.”
”Your room's ready for you anytime. And so are we. I love you.”
”I love you, too. Bye.”
She hung up by dropping the phone on the bed, freeing herself to zip the dress into place. Not exactly a sedate number, she mused, turning toward the mirror. Not with the way it draped off the shoulders and veed down over the curve of the b.r.e.a.s.t.s.
Repressed? She shook back her hair. This ought to show him.
The phone rang again, making her swear in disgust. She ignored the first ring and picked up her brush. By the third, she'd given up and pounced on the phone.
”h.e.l.lo?”
Just breathing, quick, and a faint chuckle.
”h.e.l.lo? Is someone there?”
”Midnight.”
”What?” Distracted, she carried the phone to the dresser to select the right jewelry. ”I'm sorry, I didn't catch that.”
”Midnight. Witching hour. Wait and see.”