Hidden Riches

off, lights flash—and some guy with a bullhorn shouts for me to come out with my hands up.”
    “So don’t forget the code.”
    “I’m not good with numbers. That’s why I have an accountant.”
    “Had an accountant. He’s clean, by the way.”
    “Clean? Andrew? Of course he is. His mother checks every night to see if he’s washed behind his ears.”
    Jed’s measuring tape rewound with a snap. “Why the hell did you ever go out with him in the first place?”
    “He was talking about paragraph twenty-five of the new tax law. I was terrified not to.” Then she smiled because at least they were having a conversation. “Actually, I felt kind of sorry for him. His mother really is a smothering old witch.”
    “On the night in question, Andrew was with the smothering old witch and about two dozen other people at the Dawd, Dawd and Goldstein Christmas party. He’s alibied tight until ten-thirty.”
    “I never thought it was him anyway.” She spent anotherfew moments separating receipts from invoices. “I called the hospital.”
    “What?”
    “Mrs. Lyle, on the news this morning? I couldn’t get it out of my mind.” Dora refiled a Federal Express receipt. “She’s still in a coma. I sent flowers. I guess that was stupid.”
    “Yeah.” Christ, why was he letting her get to him this way? “But people usually appreciate stupid gestures.”
    “I do.” Dora let out a long breath and shoved back from her desk. “Skimmerhorn, you want to get out of here?”
    “I’m almost finished with the measurements. Then I’ll get out of your way.”
    “No, I mean out.” Restlessly, she pulled her hand through her hair. “Do you want to go get a pizza, see a movie? I don’t want to face this pile of paperwork right now.”
    “It’s a little early for a movie.”
    “It won’t be after the pizza.” She put on her best persuasive voice. “Be a pal, Skimmerhorn. The only thing worse than going to the movies alone is going to a drive-in movie alone.”
    He shouldn’t, he knew. After what had nearly happened between them the night before, he should be avoiding her. “What’s your security code?”
    “Why?”
    “Because we’ll have to lock up if we’re going out.”
    The tension cleared out of her eyes. “It’s twelve twenty-four ninety-three. Christmas Eve, ninety-three?” She smiled and grabbed her coat. “I figured it was a date that would stay with me.”
    “Good thinking.” He shrugged into his jacket. After a brief hesitation he took the hand she held out. “We’ll check the locks.”

CHAPTER
NINE
    M ary Pat believed in the direct approach. The best way to satisfy her curiosity about Jed’s landlord was to do a little shopping. She entered Dora’s Parlor, as pleased with the ambience as she was to see her car-pool partner.
    “Lea, hi.”
    “Well, hello.” Lea set down the blown-glass cuspidor she’d been dusting. “What brings you to this part of town?”
    “My mother’s birthday.” It hardly mattered that it wasn’t for three months. “I loved the biscuit barrel Jed bought me from here, and thought I might find something unique.”
    “Unique we have. How are the kids?”
    “Oh, driving us crazy. I’m counting the days until school starts up again.”
    “Who isn’t?” Lea’s mind worked fast. Mary Pat wouldbe the perfect source to pump about Jed. “So, you and Jed are friends.”
    “For years.” Mary Pat examined a collection of Goss china and looked for an opening to casually grill Lea about her sister. “He and Brent were partners before Jed made captain, were on the same squad for six years. Your sister has a charming place here. How long has she been in business?”
    “Since the first grade,” Lea said dryly. “She always liked to wheel and deal. But officially, for about three years.”
    A hard-edged businesswoman? Mary Pat wondered. A profit hound? “She certainly has some beautiful things.” She edged over a price tag on a Deco cocktail shaker, let out a soundless whistle. “I hope she hasn’t had any more trouble since the break-in.”
    “No, thank God.” Lea walked over to the silver coffee service and poured two cups. “Cream, right? No sugar?”
    “Mmmm. Thanks.”
    “We’re awfully grateful Jed was here. It eases the mind knowing that Dora’s got a policeman right across the hall.”
    “And one of the best, too. Brent thinks if Jed pulls out of this and comes back on the job he could be chief in another ten years.”
    “Really?”