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Andrew still appeared unhappy, but he asked, "What about your place last night?"
"No one came in last night; they waited until I left this morning."
"How do you know that?"
'"Cause Maria just called. And she knows my habits like she knows the Psalms. She's been keeping that place for five years now. She wanted to know why there was a file on my desk. She knows I always keep them in the cabinets."
"And you didn't leavea rile on your desk?"
"No."
"You know, Lee, maybe we can't handle this thing. Maybe we need to get some security men in or something."
Lee shook his head. "I still don't know for what. The police would laugh me out of their office and tell me I'm a paranoid 'star.' I could hire private detectives, but something tells me not to right now. Nothing has really happened--that I know about. I don't want to just catch some flunky prowling around my house. I want to know what's going on."
Andrew yawned. "Well, I bloody well hope we find out soon. I could use a week of solid sleep. Oh, by the way. How did your date go?"
"It didn't. As you know, she left early."
"Oh, sorry."
"So was I. Sorry enough to wish I had made a bargain."
"What?"
"Never mind.Thanks for helping me keep up the vigil, Andrew."
"No problem--" Andrew began. He broke off as they heard the front door open. From the den they could see that a tall figure was silhouetted in the doorway.
"Condor?"
Lee looked puzzled; then he frowned as he realized who the man was. "What in hell does he want?" he asked Andrew.
"He who?"Andrew demanded softly.
"It's that damned politician. Remember, the guy from the country club. He said he wanted to see what we had done here, and like an idiot, I told him to stop by anytime."
"Public relations," Andrew reminded him dryly.
"Yeah, public relations!"
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Lee set down his coffee cup and stepped out of the den. "Mr. Hammarfield. Come on in. This is it."
The politician was, as always, followed by several men. As they came in the foyer, Andrew moved up by Lee and asked discreetly, "What the bloody hell is he doing here?"
"Maybe he needs a testimonial to win the youth vote. I don't know."
Dirk Hammarfield approached him with a wide grin and an extended hand. Lee accepted the handshake and introduced Hammarfield to Andrew. "Can we help you with something?" Lee asked.
"No, no, I just wanted to take a look at the oldFultonplace now that you've got it all fixed up. I have to get to the city
soon, so I just thought I'd stop by.Too early to catch any of the action, huh?"
"I'm afraid so," Lee replied.
"I'll be on my way then. But I'm having a fund-raising dinner next week at the Swan. You--and your boys--are welcome to attend.On me, of course." "Thanks. We'll let you know."
Hammarfield smiled,then turned to leave with his navy-suited escorts following behind. "Why don't I trust him?" Andrew asked. "Because he smiles too much," Lee replied. He walked to the foyer and stared out the triangular door window. He frowned. Bryn and Barbara had arrived, together. And Hammarfield was approaching them, greeting them with enthusiasm.Too much enthusiasm. He was kissing Bryn on the cheek. And it wasn't a brotherly gesture. The politician was still smiling with the innocence of a bright boy, but his eyes sizzled with nothing less than lust. "What is his game?" Lee hissed softly. "It's hard to tell," Andrew supplied dryly. "But unless you want to be known as 'I Spy,' I'd come away from the door." Lee grimaced and did so. When Barbara opened the door, he greeted her with a smile,then tried to hide the frown that followed as he realized that the usually imperturbable blonde looked decidedly nervous and a bit like she'd been through hell. Bryn looked even worse. She pretended not to see him, which was a feat in itself since he was standing in her way, and continued through to the den and the coffeepot.
On an impulse he followed her. She jumped when he came through the door, scowled and cleaned up the coffee she had spilled. "What do you want?" she asked sharply.
"Just to inquire after your welfare," he replied in a dry drawl.
"Well, I'm just fine. And I'll stay just fine as long as you stay away from me."
He leaned against the doorway and lifted one brow. "Yesterday she purred, today she stretches her claws. Well, I can't very well stay away from you. We work together.Unless you've decided to quit?"
He could tell she was grinding her teeth as she gave her attention to her coffee cup. "No, I haven't decided to quit." She gazed at him again. "Am I fired?"
"No."
He wanted to shake her; he walked away instead. There had been something about her eyes....
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