Flash

amusement in his voice floated straight over the top of Madeline's head without ruffling a single silver hair. But Olivia heard it quite clearly. She raised her brows.
    "I'm glad you approve." She gave him a very pointed smile. "Madeline was just telling me how much she likes the silver effect. She feels it underscores the company name in a very elegant way."
    "Indeed it does," Madeline said happily. "Jasper, I really am delighted to see you here tonight. I keep telling you that you don't get out enough."
    "You aren't the only one who's mentioned that lately." Jasper smiled. "Always good to see an old friend, Maddy."
    "Old friends?" Olivia repeated blankly.
    Madeline looked at her. "Oh, yes. We've known each other for ages. Jasper's firm supplied financial backing and management expertise for our youngest son several years ago when Charlie Junior went into the software business."
    "Oh." Olivia could not think of anything else to say. It occurred to her that after a decade of venture capitalism in the Northwest, Jasper probably had tentacles throughout the local business community.
    "Silver Galaxy Foods was having a bit of a cash flow problem at the time," Madeline explained. "We weren't able to help Charlie Junior out much. But Jasper took care of everything."
    "I see."
    Madeline winked at her and then at Jasper. "So the two of you are partners in Glow, now, eh?"
    "That's right," Jasper said evenly.
    "Charlie Senior was talking about Glow just the other day." Madeline's musing tone belied the sharp speculation in her eyes. "He said he hoped that it would not be sold or merged now that Rollie is gone."
    "Not a chance," Olivia said.
    Jasper looked amused again. "You heard the lady."
    "That's very good news. We'd hate to see another old family firm put on the block." Madeline smiled at Jasper. "But how on earth will you continue to operate Sloan & Associates now that you've taken the helm at Glow?"
    "I'm selling Sloan & Associates," Jasper said.
    "How very interesting," Madeline murmured. "Jasper, why don't you and Olivia go on into the lounge and enjoy that very expensive band we hired?"
    The fond, almost maternal gleam in Madeline's gray eyes alarmed Olivia. "Mrs. Silverthorne, I'm not a guest, I'm here in my professional capacity this evening."
    "Nonsense." Madeline waved a silver-gloved hand. "One dance won't shatter your professional image. Everything is going very smoothly, thanks to all your advance planning. Run along now, I insist."
    Olivia was about to protest again when she felt Jasper's hand close very firmly around her arm.
    "Good idea, Madeline," he said. He hauled Olivia toward the door. "Haven't danced in years."
    Olivia plastered a smile on her face and allowed herself to be steered through the crowds at the buffet tables into the adjoining lounge.
    The band, attired in silver lame jackets similar to those the servers wore, launched into a slow, smooth, easy ballad. Jasper went straight out onto the floor and pulled Olivia into his arms.
    "I like the dress," he said before she could demand further explanations of his presence.
    For some reason the compliment confused her. Automatically she glanced down at the simple column of heavy black silk she wore. The only touch of silver was the narrow trim on the discreet curve of the neckline and at the wrists of the long, close-fitting sleeves.
    "It was the only thing in my closet that had any silver on it," she admitted.
    His mouth curved slightly as he took in the glittering decor in the lounge. "I wouldn't have thought that there was this much foil and tinsel to be had in Seattle."
    Olivia grinned in spite of herself. "I cleaned out my suppliers. I only hope none of my competitors is trying to do a twenty-fifth silver jubilee wedding anniversary tonight. I can just about guarantee that there is not a single silver candlestick or tray left in town to rent."
    "I believe it."
    "All right, let's have it." She stopped smiling and pinned him with a severe glare. "What are you doing here tonight? When I talked to you this morning you said nothing about attending."
    "That was before I found out that the business press was planning to be here this evening," he said.
    "Of course the business press is here. Mrs. Silverthorne invited the business page reporters from the
Banner-Journal
, the
Seattle Times
, and the
Post-Intelligencer
, personally. This is a major business affair. The whole point is to garner publicity for Silver Galaxy Foods."
    "I found out late today