Family Man

“Christ, I can't do that, and you know it. It will confirm everything she already believes about my lack of business ability.”
    “Then talk to Luke.”
    Darren looked at her in amazement. “Are you crazy? Go to Luke and ask for a hundred and fifty grand to bail myself out of trouble? He'd laugh in my face.”
    “I'm not so sure about that.”
    “I am. Katy, you've got to help me. I can't go to anyone in the family. Justine will be furious. My parents will believe she's been right about me all along if I tell them what's happened. And as for Luke, the Bastard probably wouldn't care if I wound up in jail. I'm depending on you, Katy.”

CHAPTER

SEVEN
    L uke spotted the black Porsche as he walked out of the Dragon Bay Super Food Mart with a week's supply of dog food. Darren's car was parked on Bay Street in front of a fast food restaurant, the place where Matt and several of his friends held part-time jobs. The bright yellow and green logo on the roof was familiar.
    Luke scowled at the sight of the Porsche, surprised that Darren had driven all the way to Dragon Bay for a burger and fries. Then he recalled the tail end of the conversation he had overheard on Justine's balcony last night. Darren was in town because he wanted to talk to Katy.
    Luke tossed the sack of dog food into the trunk of the Jag. He wondered if Darren's idea of treating Katy was to take her out for a cheap meal.
    He closed the lid of the trunk, pocketed his keys, and started across the street. When he reached the corner he saw the door of the restaurant open. Matt, grinning widely, emerged with a couple of friends in tow.
    As Luke watched, Matt tossed a set of keys into the air and sauntered toward the Porsche. After one last lingering look at the car his friends reluctantly headed off in the opposite direction.
    Luke reached the Porsche at the same time Matt did. Matt glanced up in surprise.
    “Hi, Mr. Gilchrist. What are you doing here?”
    “Buying dog food. This is Darren's car, isn't it?”
    “Yeah. He wanted to talk to Katy, so he let me take it for a spin.” Matt shrugged. “Probably wanted me out of the way, but what the heck? It may be the only chance I'll ever have to get behind the wheel of a car like this.”
    “Darren's with Katy now?”
    “Yeah. At the cottage. I guess I'd better get his car back to him before he starts wondering what happened to it.”
    “No rush. I'll explain things to Darren if he wants to know why you were delayed. Let's go back inside. I'll buy you a coffee or soda or whatever you want to drink.”
    Matt hesitated. “Why?”
    Luke grinned. “I see you've got your sister's natural caution.”
    “She always says to be wary of Gilchrists bearing gifts.”
    Luke shook his head with mock regret. “I can't imagine why she's got such a negative attitude toward the Gilchrist family. Come on, let's go inside and get something to drink.”
    “All right.”
    Five minutes later Luke slid into a booth opposite Matt and eyed the boy with a thoughtful glance. “What is Darren discussing with your sister?”
    “Who knows?” Matt jiggled the ice in his cola. Maybe he wants her to talk to Justine about something for him again.”
    Luke considered that possibility. “What kind of things does Darren have her talk to Justine about?”
    “A while back he wanted Katy to convince Justine to let him manage Gilchrist's on Lake Union.”
    “Katy was obviously successful,” Luke observed. “He's managing it.”
    “Sure. Katy can usually convince Justine to do things. But not always. She couldn't get Justine to give Darren a shot at running Gilchrist, Inc.”
    “Justine can be stubborn.”
    “Yeah. Maybe Darren wants Katy to try again. You'd think he'd give up now that you're on the scene, though. But Katy says Gilchrists can be real persistent when they want something. She says they get obsessive.”
    Luke swore softly. “Your sister seems to have made herself an authority on Gilchrists.”
    “Uh-huh. Had to, I guess.” Matt's brow furrowed. “I'll be glad when she's finally free of them. I've tied her down long enough. As soon as I'm in college she'll be able to dump the Gilchrist job and get on with her life.” He glanced up, abashed as he suddenly realized what he had said. “No offense.”
    Luke smiled grimly. “Don't worry. I don't understand how she's been able to work for Justine Gilchrist as long as she has.”
    “Liz says it's because Katy's adaptable and non-confrontational.”
    “What does