Sweet Fortune

guys like that tend to go through a place in a methodical fashion. Makes sense to start upstairs and work down. Use some logic here, instead of drama, Jessie. What could he have been searching for in Valentine Consultations? You haven't discovered anything incriminating about DEL yet, and you're not likely to do so. The DEL crowd probably knows that better than anybody.”
    “Maybe.”
    He considered the stubborn, mutinous set of her mouth out of the corner of his eye as he poured milk over the cereal. “You're trying to overdramatize your Big Case, Jessie. Forget it. Waste of time.”
    “Oh, yeah?”
    “Yes.” He sat down across from her and reached for the coffeepot. “Eat your breakfast like a good girl and then you can send me off to the office with a wifely little kiss.”
    Jessie scowled ferociously. “Don't get any ideas just because I let you spend the night on my couch.”
    “I'll keep that in mind.” Hatch dug into his cereal. He was actually getting a lot of ideas, but he figured he could wait to tell her about them.
    Negotiating with Jessie was a tricky business, and he had no intention of giving away too much information in advance. He waited for her to lecture him further, but when she spoke again, she surprised him with her question.
    “What did you do to that jerk in Alex's office, Hatch?”
    “Took out my frustrations on him.”
    “I mean, seriously, what did you use on him? Karate or something?”
    “Nothing that fancy. Just some old-fashioned alley-fighting techniques.”
    “Where did you learn them?”
    “In an old-fashioned alley. Look, could we change the subject? I had what is frequently referred to as a misspent youth. I'd prefer to forget it.”
    “Whatever you say. Still, I'm glad it was you who went into that office instead of me.”
    “Which brings up an interesting point,” Hatch said, deciding to seize the opportunity. “The only reason you didn't go charging into that office first was that you conveniently happened to stumble over Alex. I warned you not to rush blindly into that place.”
    “We all know I don't take orders well, Hatch. Want some more coffee?”
    “Quit trying to change the subject. You're walking on thin ice, lady. I am not in a good mood this morning.”
    “Oh, my. Are you going to yell at me?” She fixed him with an expression of great interest, as if waiting for a show to begin.
    “I've resisted this long, I think I can manage to hold back what would seem to be a very natural urge under the circumstances. But I wouldn't advise you to push me.”
    “Veiled threats. How exciting. I've never seen you quite like this, Hatch. It's a whole new you. I'll bet you're only holding back because you don't want to lose any of the territory you think you gained last night by conveniently falling asleep on my couch.”
    “Is that right?”
    “I know exactly how your mind works, Hatch. You've weighed the pros and cons of losing your temper with me and decided that it's in your own best interests not to yell at this rather delicate stage of the game.”
    “You think you know me very well, don't you?”
    “Well enough to know how you think.” She took a swallow of coffee and wrinkled her nose. “But I'll admit I didn't realize you'd make coffee like this. It tastes like pure, refried, undiluted grounds.” She tried another tentative sip. “With perhaps just a hint of old tires thrown in for body.”
    “I grew up on a cattle ranch. Nobody drinks weak coffee on a ranch.”
    A wary spark of interest lit her eyes. “You grew up on a ranch? Where was it?”
    “Oregon.”
    “Do your folks still live there?”
    “No.” He wished he had kept his mouth shut, but one look at her expression told him it was too late to close the subject. She was curious. A curious Jessie Benedict was a dangerous Jessie Benedict.
    On the other hand, it was gratifying to have her exhibit some real interest in him.
    “Where are your parents living now?”
    Hatch sighed. “When I was five my mother decided she couldn't take ranch life any longer. Or maybe it was my old man she couldn't take. Whatever, she filed for divorce and left. Went back East and married some guy who worked for an insurance firm.”
    Jessie's brows came together in a swift frown. “What about you?”
    Hatch shrugged. “I stayed on the ranch with Dad until I was sixteen and then I left.”
    “You went off to college early?”
    “No. I just left home early. Dad and I were not what you'd call a real