Family Man

wheel and deal in the business world.”
    “How does it work?”
    “Nyle sets up a real estate partnership deal that's too good to be true. Very little money required up front. Huge profits when it's finished. Folks like Darren fall for it and then get told the partnership has folded. They're told that, as partners, they're liable.”
    Katy pushed her hair back behind her ear. “Then they're told they have to come up with cash to pay off innocent people who actually purchased the properties or risk going to jail?”
    “Right. The kicker is there aren't any innocent purchasers. There was no development project. Just Nyle. He collects what he can from the various partners and vanishes. Goes somewhere else and sets up shop.”
    “Good grief.” Katy was shocked. “And poor Darren fell for the scam?”
    “Yeah.”
    “But how did you find out it was all a con?”
    “I did a little research. The kind of basic investigation Darren should have done when Nyle first approached him through the broker. Nyle's partnership deal is a complete fraud. It's all built on smoke and mirrors. Darren is safe.”
    “He must be terribly relieved to hear that.”
    “He doesn't know it yet,” Luke said succinctly.
    “You haven't told him? Luke, how could you do that to him? You know how worried he is.”
    “It won't hurt him to do a little more worrying. I told him how to go about finding out what he needs to know to save his ass. He'll discover that he's in the clear in a few days if he goes after the information I told him he'd need. In the meantime, maybe he'll learn something.”
    Katy mulled that over for a couple of minutes. The fact that Darren was safe was wonderful news. The fact that he did not yet know it seemed cruel. Perhaps she should call him tonight and tell him the whole truth.
    “Don't even think about it, Katy.”
    “Think about what?”
    “I can read you like a book. You are not going to call Darren and tell him what I just told you. He's going to learn this lesson the hard way. The Gilchrist guardian angel is going to stay out of it.”
    “But Luke—”
    “Forget it. That's an order, Katy. You asked me to help. You got my help. Now you're stuck with it. If you don't like the way I solve problems, that's just too damn bad.”
    “I'll remember your approach the next time I have a problem,” she grumbled.
    Luke grinned suddenly. “You do that.”
    She did not like his smile. Too many teeth. She decided to change the topic. “Did yesterday's round of meetings give you any new information?”
    “Not really. I'm convinced the problems we're having in the restaurants and in Gilchrist Gourmet are due to criminal actions, not bad luck or even bad management.”
    “Oh, dear. So you're continuing with the investigation?”
    “Yes.”
    Katy hesitated. “You still think someone in the family might be behind the problems, don't you?”
    “Let's just say I'm not ruling anyone out.”
    “But Luke, the only members of the family who work in the business are Darren and Eden. They wouldn't do anything like this.”
    “I'm not so sure about that. But you're wrong when you say they're the only suspects in the family. Maureen and Hayden have been connected to Gilchrist, Inc. for decades. They don't work directly for the company, but they've had access to vital information for years. And in this day of computers, anyone who knows what he's doing can cause trouble.”
    “But why would any of them want to cause trouble?”
    “How about a nice little motive like revenge? It may have escaped your notice, angel, but not everyone in the family thinks Justine is a saint.”
    Katy winced, remembering Maureen's frustrated anger and fear of Justine. She also recalled the computer in Maureen's gallery. “I suppose you're right.”
    “Of course I'm right. When it comes to business, I'm always right. Now let's talk about something that's a hell of a lot more interesting than Darren and the rest of the family.”
    “What's that?”
    “Us.”
    A delicate thrill went through Katy. She had been trying hard not to think about their relationship. At the same time she had known that sooner or later she would have to confront it. The knowledge had filled her with an edgy anticipation. “What about us?”
    “I just want to be real clear here. I don't want any misunderstandings. We're together now, Katy. You and me.”
    The intensity in him was radiating outward, drawing her into his force field. Katy found herself struggling to