Rarities Unlimited 04 - The Color of Death

other.”
    So what else is new? Sharon stepped into the elevator car and punched in the floor she wanted. “He chews on everyone, but you’re his favorite flavor. What lame excuse did he use this time?”
    “He’s blaming me for everything from the beat-up courier to the murders in the parking lot, and I’m here in L.A., for Chrissake. What the hell am I supposed to do? I’m a salesman, not a gun-toting agent.”
    She looked at her watch. Three minutes to spare. If the elevator didn’t stop at every floor, she’d make it on time. “He blames everyone. You can’t take it personally.”
    “You always say that. Then you tell me to find another job.”
    “You’re a very good salesman. You could sell sand in the Sahara. A different employer would appreciate that. Dad never will.”
    “But last year I increased the business by—”
    “Give it up,” she cut in impatiently. She turned her back on the other two people in the elevator and spoke in more discreet tones. “I know you’re all that kept us afloat last year. Dad may or may not know, but he won’t say either way. You should have had my pragmatism or I should have been born with your hang-downs. But youdon’t and I wasn’t, and Dad can’t get over either one. He’ll go to the grave disappointed in his children. I can live with that. You can’t. That’s why you should get out.”
    “Can you live with it?” Sonny asked unexpectedly. “I mean really ? Are you sure you aren’t trying to make up for failing him by being booted out of the Bureau?”
    “I resigned,” she muttered as the elevator slowed to a stop at her floor.
    “Oh, come on. Don’t split hairs with me. You didn’t have a choice about resigning and everyone knows it.”
    “Sure I did. I could have sued the bastards for sex discrimination for not making my SAC resign along with me.”
    Sharon stepped through the open elevator doors, dodged someone who was desperately trying to make the elevator before the doors closed, and started toward the Sizemore Security Consulting suite. It was actually adjoining rooms, but God help anyone who pointed that out. Her father was still pissed off at not getting his deposit in on time. Her fault, of course.
    Everything was.
    “But you didn’t sue anyone,” Sonny pointed out. “You came home with your tail tucked between your legs and took the job Daddy offered.”
    “Man, Dad must have really given your ego a going-over,” she said in a low, fierce voice. “Don’t take it out on me. You know damn well I spent six months applying for other jobs before I came home.” And during each of those six months had to look at the leers from every other law-enforcement agency type who had heard what really happened. And they all had heard. “The pay was the same working for Sizemore Security Consulting and I don’t have to suck anyone off to keep my job. Just one of the perks of working for my daddy.”
    Sonny blew a long breath over the receiver. “Sorry, sis. I didn’t mean it. I was feeling raw and…I’m sorry.”
    “Don’t worry. Dad’s given me a lot worse. Did he chew on the whole L.A. staff or just you?”
    “He was pretty rough on Jason.”
    “Okay, I’ll call him. We can’t afford to lose Jason. He’s the best connection we have to the jewelry trade in general and exclusive collectors in particular. He and his brother know where all the bodies are buried, who’s buying, and who’s lying.”
    “I tried to smooth it over, but Jason needs to hear it from you too. Everyone knows that for all Dad’s shouting, you’re the glue that holds it all together.”
    “First insults, now flattery.”
    “Not flattery. Truth.”
    “Yeah, well, I’ll tell Jason the seagull manager joke.”
    “What’s that?” Sonny asked.
    “A seagull manager is one that flies in from nowhere, squawks a lot, craps on everything, and flies off.”
    Sonny snickered. “You just described Dad.”
    “Ya think?” she asked sardonically. “Listen, I’ll call you later. I’ve got to go or I’ll be late for Dad’s coffee pep talk to the staff here.”
    “Better you than me. Thanks, sis. Since Mom’s been gone, I don’t know what we’d do without you.”
    “Don’t thank me. Just go out and hustle more business. We’re going to need it when news gets out about the courier. That’s three in the last three months we’ve lost.”
    “Four. Brady backed out of the deal this morning. We’re looking for another courier now.”
    “Jesus. Did