A Will and a Way

Laboratories.”
    Randall skimmed the printout, then tucked the sheet into the box. “Your uncle’s attorney…” He referred quickly to his notes. “Fitzhugh reported trespassing several weeks ago. We’ve had a squad car cruise the area, but at this point you might agree to having a man patrol the grounds once a day.”
    “I’d prefer it,” Michael told him.
    “I’ll contact Fitzhugh.” Seeing his cup was empty, Pandora took it and filled it again. “I’ll also need a list of the relatives named in the will.”
    Pandora frowned over her rim. Between her and Michael, they tried to fill in the lieutenant, as best as they could. When they had finished, Pandora sent Randall an apologetic look. “I told you we aren’t close.”
    “I’ll get the lawyer to fill in the details.” Randall rose and tried not to think about the cold drive back to town. “We’ll keep the inquiries as quiet as possible. If anything else happens, call me. One of my men will be around to look things over.”
    “Thank you, Lieutenant.” Michael helped the pudgy man on with his coat.
    Randall took another look around the room. “Ever think of installing a security system?”
    “No.”
    “Think again,” he advised, and made his way out.
    “We’ve just been scolded,” Pandora murmured.
    Michael wondered if Logan’s Run had room for a cranky, well padded cop. “Seems that way.”
    “You know, Michael, I have two schools of thought on bringing in the police.”
    “Which are?”
    “It’s either going to calm things down or stir things up.”
    “You pay your money and take your choice.”
    She gave him a knowing look. “You’re counting on the second.”
    “I came close tonight.” He bypassed the coffee and poured another brandy. “I nearly had my hands on something. Someone.” When he looked at her, the faint amusement in his eyes had faded. The recklessness was back. “I like my fights in the open, face-to-face.”
    “It’s better if we look at it as a chess game rather than a boxing match.” She came close to wrap her arms around him and press her cheek to his shoulder. It was the kind of gesture he didn’t think he’d ever get used to from her. As he rested his head on her hair, he realized that the fact that he wouldn’t only added to the sweetness of the feeling. When had he stopped remembering that she didn’t fit into his long-established picture of the ideal woman? Her hair was too red, her body too thin, her tongue too sharp. Michael nuzzled against her and found they fit very well.
    “I’ve never had the patience for chess.”
    “Then we’ll just leave it to the police.” She held him tighter. The need to protect rose as sharply as the desire to be protected. “I’ve been thinking about what might have happened out there tonight. I don’t want you hurt, Michael.”
    With two fingers under her chin, he lifted it. “Why not?”
    “Because…” She looked into his eyes and felt her heart melt. But she wouldn’t be a fool; she wouldn’t risk her pride. “Because then I’d have to do the dishes by myself.”
    He smiled. No, he didn’t have a great deal of patience, but he could call on it when circumstances warranted. He brushed a kiss on either side of her mouth. Sooner or later, he’d have more out of her. Then he’d just have to decide what to do with it. “Any other reason?”
    Absorbing the sensations, Pandora searched her mind foranother easy answer. “If you were hurt, you couldn’t work. I’d have to live with your foul temper.”
    “I thought you were already living with it.”
    “I’ve seen it fouler.”
    He kissed her eyes closed in his slow, sensuous way. “Try one more time.”
    “I care.” She opened her eyes, and her look was tense and defiant. “Got a problem with that?”
    “No.” His kiss wasn’t gentle this time, it wasn’t patient. He had her caught close and reeling within moments. If there was tension in her still, he couldn’t feel it. “The only problem’s been dragging it out of you.”
    “You’re family after all—”
    With a laugh, he nipped the lobe of her ear. “Don’t try to back out.”
    Indignant, she stiffened. “I never back out.”
    “Unless you can rationalize it. Just remember this.” He had her molded against him again. “The family connection’s distant.” Their lips met, urgently, then parted. “This connection isn’t.”
    “I don’t know what you want from me,” she whispered.
    “You’re usually so