Rarities Unlimited 03 - Die in Plain Sight

said.
    Before We Met. It was the way Susa and Donald Donovan divided their lifetimes.
    “Yes,” she said. “I look down at the land and I’m haunted by the talented men who never found what they were looking for and stopped painting, and the talented women who weren’t fortunate enough to find a mate who supported their work, praised their abilities, and made painting part of raising a family. I was so lucky to find you. Have I ever thanked you for that, my love?”
    “Every time you smile.”
    “I wish I could kiss you.” She hadn’t wanted him to go and had told him so more than once before he left. For God’s sake, Don, why do you think I put up with our strapping, looming sons and quick-witted daughters if not to let them take over the business so we can play?
    But Don was as stubborn as she was, which was why they were still individuals and still together. “How are the negotiations going?”
    “Slowly.”
    “You’re going to miss the auction.” It wasn’t a question.
    “I’m afraid so.”
    “Afraid? Ha! You’re chortling.”
    “Well, smiling maybe, but not chortling. I never chortle.” He yawned hugely. “Couldn’t sleep until I heard your voice.”
    “Are you saying I put you to sleep?” she teased.
    “Eventually. Damn it, honey. I should be with you, not over here talking through interpreters to people who see dollar signs when I walk in the room.”
    “Then come home.”
    “Always.”
    “But not tonight, huh?”
    “No.” He sighed. “I swear I’m going to put a leash on one of our kids and make them take my place.”
    “Remind me to be somewhere else when you try.”
    He bit back a laugh. “Be safe, my beautiful Susa. Call me even if you think I’m asleep.”
    “Same for you. Don’t let down your guard, love.”
    “Don’t worry. Uncle Sam assigned me some company. Three guys. They remind me of Jake and Archer, cool around the eyes and always ready to jump in any direction.”
    Susa’s heartbeat quickened. Their son Archer and their son-in-law Jake had once spent time in the kinds of government service that Congress didn’t oversee. “Don’t worry?” she asked in a rising voice. “What’s going on?”
    “Nothing. The government just thought it was easier to keep an eye on me than to find me if I got lost,” he said.
    She let out a long breath. “Good for them.”
    “You think it’s a good idea?”
    “Anything that keeps you safe is a good idea.”
    At the other end of the line, her husband grinned. Gotcha . “Then you’ll cooperate with Ian Lapstrake.”
    “Who?”
    “The man who’s meeting you at the airport. He’s Lawe’s friend.”
    “Oh, that Ian.”
    “He’s also one of Rarities’ top security men. I’m sure you’ll enjoy his company every minute of the time you’re hauling yourself and your half-million-dollar paintings all over the southern California landscape.”
    “Are you saying—” Susa began hotly.
    “I love you.”
    Being a wise man, the Donovan hung up before Susa could answer.

Savoy Ranch
    Tuesday afternoon
8
    T he room was more than a hundred years old, a symphony of brass and polished wood, thick Persian carpets and heavy draperies, brown leather couches so deep that only a fit man could get out of one without grunting. A wood fire leaped and licked at the huge hearth. Ward Forrest hadn’t changed any of the Savoy decor when he married Gem and united the Savoy fortune with the Forrest ambition. He’d even left the trophy heads on the walls—mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, antelope, moose, bear, cougar. Though he’d personally shot bigger game, he’d never felt the need to stare at the results over coffee and brandy.
    Ward went back to studying the contract-labor arrangements for the Savoy Hotel. Although it wasn’t well known, the conglomerate that owned the hotel was largely owned by one of the many arms of Savoy Enterprises. It was a belated—and probably too late—attempt to diversify from an entirely land-based business. Because Ward had insisted on overseeing every detail of the hotel personally, down to the kitchenequipment, uniform sources for everyone from cooks to concierge, and security arrangements on every floor for every reason, the Savoy Hotel had taken up a large part of his working days. He would be glad when the damn thing was launched and he could stay home and go back to being semiretired.
    The grandfather clock chimed repeatedly like someone humming the opening note for a choir of angels. The