Many thanks for beta reading to BeachBum and Snowolf. (October 2007)

"Are you hungry yet?"

"Famished," Erin admitted with some surprise.

She looked at her watch and was shocked to see it was almost five o’clock. Time had a way of passing so quickly when she was with Carson, and they had been so busy with the tree that Erin hadn’t even thought about food.

"How do grilled steaks with sautéed mushrooms sound?"

"Like heaven, but isn’t it a little cold to grill steaks outside?"

"Well, it is cold, but I think it’s worth it. I usually step out and light the grill and come back in until it’s ready."

"If you’re sure," Erin relented. "I don’t want you to freeze just for me."

Carson shook her head and smiled. "I do this all the time. Sometimes I even sit out on the deck and watch the duck pond. It’s frozen over right now, but other animals still play on it."

So Carson was a nature lover, and that was why she owned a big old house so far out from the city. From what she knew of Carson’s childhood Erin guessed she also wasn’t a big fan of large crowds.

"I’d like to see the duck pond," Erin said softly.

"We’re going to need our coats."

Erin followed Carson to the coat closet and they bundled up before they went outside. A door off the family room led out to a large wooden deck, and Carson flipped some wall switches as they passed through. Lights came on out on the deck, and Erin was enchanted by the view. The ground sloped away and about two hundred yards from the house Erin could see the large pond that was really a small lake. It was frozen over just as Carson had said, and a low mist hovered just above it.

No wildlife was in sight at the moment, but large trees came down to the edge. Erin could imagine in the spring and summer the place would be booming with all manner of wildlife.

A covered patio table was surrounded by four chairs, and took up center stage on the deck. The cushions had been removed for the winter and all but one of them had been tilted so that the backrest was against the table to keep the rain off of them. Erin could almost see Carson out here sipping coffee as she relaxed and took in the day. Down by the water’s edge near where the sea wall was being built there was an old boathouse, and a dock.

"Do you go out on the lake a lot?"

Carson nodded in answer while she concentrated on removing the grill cover. She lifted the lid and pushed the ignition switch. Flames flared in the bottom of the grill, and Carson adjusted the heat control before she lowered the lid.

"I like to fish when it’s warm enough," Carson admitted, "but strictly on a catch and release basis. I’m allergic to freshwater fish. Do you like to fish?"

Erin shrugged and put her hands in her pockets. "It’s been years since I’ve been. The last time my dad took me I was ten years old, so I don’t remember much about it, just being on the water with him."

"Are they pleasant memories?"

Erin couldn’t detect any hidden meaning behind the question, and guessed that Carson was merely curious. She didn’t seem jealous of Erin’s close relationship with her father, something Erin knew Carson hadn’t experienced with her own father.

"Oh yes," Erin grinned. "Once, I remember we were going down the Ohio River on an old bass boat he had restored. My dad insisted he knew the best fishing spot, and it turned out to be a little eddy completely filled with submerged tree stumps. He was standing in the front when the boat hit one of the stumps, and he flew head over heels into the water."

Erin laughed at the memory, and Carson chuckled along with her. "I was the only one with him, and he was yelling at me to turn off the motor. By the time I had it shut off, and he swam to the boat he was exhausted!"

"You’re very lucky to have memories like those," Carson said and slipped an arm around Erin’s shoulders.

For a moment they just stood there and looked down at the pond, each lost in their own thoughts. Then Carson asked, "Would you like to go fishing again sometime?"

"I’d love to." Erin looked at Carson and smiled. "But not until it warms up a little, huh?"

"Good point. Now, what do you say that we go inside while the grill heats up?"

"I thought you’d never ask."

Back inside they deposited their coats on a chair since they would be needed again, and then Erin followed Carson into the kitchen.

"I’ve already made the salads, and they’re in the refrigerator."

Carson lifted some plastic wrap off a bowl, and two of the biggest steaks Erin had ever seen were marinating inside. Carson didn’t notice Erin’s eyes popping, and continued on. "I was thinking we could have baked potatoes on the side, and I made a chocolate caramel cheesecake for dessert. That bottle of red wine you brought would go perfectly with our meal."

"And after that we could have a heart by-pass," Erin added dryly.

Carson looked at her quickly with a question in her eyes. "Would you prefer something else?"

"I’m sorry," Erin said instantly contrite. She walked over to Carson and slipped her arms around the other woman’s waist. Carson returned the embrace and pulled Erin’s head onto her shoulder. "It all sounds lovely. I’m just not accustomed to someone taking care of all the details for me."

"Does it bother you?"

"No," Erin shook her head minutely. "To be honest I rather like it. It’s just not easy for me to let someone else make the decisions. I’m used to being in charge, and the one that everyone else goes to."

Carson held her gently for a few seconds before she said; "You don’t need to be in control all the time with me. I like doing things for you."

Erin laughed and pulled away slightly so she could look up at Carson. "Something tells me that you wouldn’t let me get away with it anyway."

"You are correct."

Something hot and primal flashed between them, and Erin’s breath came faster when Carson’s eyes lowered to her mouth. Erin reached up and touched each side of Carson’s face to pull her down to her waiting lips. As their lips met Erin tried to reach up with her entire body to merge with Carson.

The kiss deepened quickly as Erin’s mouth engulfed Carson’s and her tongue pushed gently against full lips. Instinctively Carson parted her lips and a wave of new sensations, more intense than any she'd felt before filled her completely. She moaned involuntarily as her desire expanded.

For long moments the world around dropped away and Carson absorbed the taste of Erin’s lips and the almost rough stroking of the tongue inside her mouth. Slowly she came back to herself and eased away from delicious contact.

Carson’s blue eyes were dark with desire, and she took deep, open-mouthed breaths to regain her equilibrium. Thoughts of dinner went out the window as she tried to capture Erin’s lips again in another heated kiss, but Erin turned her head to the side and embraced Carson instead.

"Erin?"

The hesitant question twisted Erin’s heart. She wanted nothing more than to make love with Carson, but she felt it was too soon.

"I’m sorry, darling. I guess I’m just a little nervous."

"It’s all right. I’m nervous, too, but I do enjoy kissing you."

Erin clung to the other woman helplessly before she answered with a smile. "I love kissing you, too. That’s what scares me, how easy this is between us."

"Easy? At least you’ve done this before. I’m so afraid you’ll decide I’m inept at this, and head for greener pastures!"

Erin laughed gently and pulled away from Carson. Then she stood on tiptoe and kissed the tip of her nose. "I don’t think you have to worry about that. Your kisses are wonderful, and I’m already hooked on them. Now, how about dinner, and maybe we’ll have more of those delicious kisses later?"

"All right," Carson agreed with a small smile. "But, I hope dinner goes quickly."

She took a deep breath and stepped completely out of Erin’s embrace. "I’ll get the potatoes ready for the microwave, and then put the steaks on."

"Would you like for me to set the table?"

Carson was pleased to note that Erin’s voice wasn’t very steady. Just the idea that Erin was more affected than she let on helped steady Carson in a way that all the thoughts of having patience couldn’t.

"That would be great. Wine glasses are in the top cupboard over the espresso machine, and plates are on the opposite side."

Erin smiled at her, and Carson felt the rest of her tension drain away. Each of them was busy the next few minutes and conversation was deliberately light with comments on the winter storm that was expected in later that night.

Carson pierced the potatoes with a fork and put them into the microwave while Erin set the table. The attorney even pulled out the wine and opened it up to breathe as Carson took the steaks and a pair of tongs out onto the deck.

As was her custom, Carson walked out onto the deck in her shirtsleeves. She was very aware of Erin’s eyes on her as she walked outside. The air was cold, but there wasn’t any wind at the moment, and Carson enjoyed the extreme temperatures. She lifted the lid and placed the steaks on the grill before her eyes wandered down to the frozen pond.

A curious sensation came over her unexpectedly. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling by any means, and she frowned wondering what it could be. Carson closed her eyes to concentrate on the feeling rather than push it away as most people might have done. It was her customary way to solve problems, and always worked for her as it did now.

The feeling was fear, but it was more specific than that and was directly related to their experiences in Erin’s office building. Goosebumps broke out over her arms and Carson shivered at the memory. She didn’t know why she thought of him now, and guessed it to do with the frigid temperatures she had deliberately exposed herself to. Carson had felt a similar cold in the Holcomb Building, but it was a chilly sensation of dread that had little to do with the actual temperature. Dark and dreadful shapes flickered in her mind, the memory of the dead and injured security guards.

Carson wondered if Erin had thought of the killer again, and hoped not though she didn’t think it was possible to merely forget. Memories such as those were not easy to dispel.

She shivered again, and Erin startled her by saying, "You’re going to freeze to death. I brought your coat. What are you doing?"

Carson opened her eyes and smiled. "Thank you." She put her coat on, and answered, "Nothing, just thinking."

"From your expression I’d say they weren’t pleasant thoughts."

Carson turned the steaks over to buy time before she said, "The steaks will be done in a few minutes. How do you like yours done?" The change of subject wasn’t very subtle, but she hoped Erin would just let it go. Carson wasn’t sure she could articulate what was bothering her, and she didn’t want to worry Erin unnecessarily.

"Medium rare."

"Ah, in that case they will be done sooner than expected."

"You like yours medium rare, too?"

"Yes," Carson nodded. "I know that from a strictly religious standpoint rare meat is unacceptable, but I think the meat is too tough if it’s anymore well done."

"I agree, and religion has nothing to do with how tender I like my steak."

Carson poked at the meat with a fork a few minutes later and announced they were done.

Dinner was pleasant, and the wine flowed freely. Carson wasn’t able to hold onto the fear she had experienced on the deck, and it disappeared like it had never been. Instead, being near Erin brought back the earlier feelings of warmth and heightened sensations she had begun to associate with the other woman.

After dinner they stacked the dishes in the dishwasher, and then settled on the sofa with coffee and dessert.

"Delicious," Erin said after the first mouthful.

Carson concealed her pleased smile as she concentrated on her own dessert. Finally dessert was finished and they sat back on the sofa to enjoy the fire. Erin surprised her when she snuggled up against her chest. Carson happily wrapped her arms around the older woman, and inhaled the scent of her perfume as they stared into the fire.

"This is nice," Erin mumbled.

"Hmm."

Erin lifted her head, and Carson took immediate advantage. She closed the short distance and captured Erin’s lips in a soft kiss. For a moment she held her breath nervously afraid that Erin would pull away, but she needn’t have worried. Erin groaned into her mouth, and the sound set Carson’s blood on fire.

When Erin moaned her lips parted and Carson felt her tongue, warm and gentle, touch her upper lip. Her arms circled Carson’s waist and pulled her into the lean, strong body. Then they were kissing deeply, mouths open and tongues tangling sweetly.

Carson’s breath came in soft sighs as Erin teased her lips with gentle tugs and tender nips. Her tongue stroked Carson’s soft lips and Carson moaned with desire.

Carson leaned forward to lay Erin back onto the sofa cushions, and Erin’s arms slid around her neck to hold her tightly. Erin’s legs parted to welcome Carson deeper into her embrace as she circled her hips. Carson shuddered at the feel of Erin’s soft breasts pressing against her. She released Erin’s bruised lips and sucked gently at the elegant throat. Carson felt Erin shudder as she panted helplessly and slid the fingers of one hand into her hair.

"Carson."

Carson didn’t respond as she started to caress the soft skin beneath her with one hand. Her mouth explored Erin’s neck then she moved up to lick gently at the shell of the small ear, while her hand moved slowly toward the soft breasts that she had wanted to touch for so long.

"Carson!"

Erin tensed, and this time Carson pulled slightly away to see what was wrong. Erin’s eyes were tightly closed, and her tongue darted out to wet her lips nervously. Slowly she opened her eyes and looked up at Carson. Erin raised one hand to Carson’s cheek and stroked softly with the back of her fingers as she smiled tremulously.

"Do you need to stop?" Carson asked considerately.

Erin looked away quickly, caught by her hesitance before she looked back up at Carson. "If we don’t, I won’t be able to. Things are going just a little too quickly for me. Is that all right?"

"I won’t say that I’m happy to stop," Carson admitted gently, "but I understand. I know you want me, I can feel it, and I can taste it in your kiss. Right now that’s enough. But can you tell me why you are afraid to be with me?"

"Because there will be repercussions. Carson, you haven’t been with anyone before, and if we do this there will be consequences. Maybe you’ll think that you feel more than what you do because of a physical relationship, and then later you’ll regret what happened. I couldn’t bear that. I guess I just want you to be sure."

Carson pulled away slowly and sat up. Her hands were folded between her knees and she stared into the fire while Erin sat up beside her.

"You sound like you’ve been through this before, like someone hurt you very much." Carson looked away from the fire and into Erin’s sad eyes. "But I am not this other woman, and I know how I feel."

"I’m sure you think you do," Erin acknowledged gently. "And it’s true that this has happened to me before. I thought she loved me, I thought we were both in love. Later she told me that it had all been a mistake, and that she wasn’t in love with me. Six months later she married a man that she worked with. That was six years ago."

Carson was torn by the story she heard. On one hand she felt her heart go out to the woman that she knew she loved completely, but at the same time she was concerned that Erin would judge her by the other woman’s actions.

"What was her name?" Carson asked trying very hard to keep her voice neutral.

"Rose; Rosemarie Cantorri."

Erin’s expression was so bleak Carson was sure that she was reliving her experience in her mind. Carson was sympathetic to Erin’s fear, but she was also frustrated with passion. What she mostly felt at the moment was her own burning need, and her disappointment that Erin was unable to move beyond her past. If Erin wasn’t ready to move forward, Carson had to be content with that but it was important for the other woman to look at what was developing between them with fresh eyes.

Carson put an arm around Erin’s shoulder and pulled her close against her side. She rested her cheek against Erin’s soft hair, and thought about what Erin had told her.

"All along you’ve been saying that you want me to be sure, but that isn’t true." Carson said gently. "You want you to be sure. I can’t help you with that, Erin. But make no mistake, I know how I feel, and I know that I want to be with you. When you’re ready, let me know."

Carson’s voice lowered the more she spoke and when she finished it was barely above a whisper. Maybe it was time to call it a night before things got too serious. She squeezed Erin’s shoulders gently, placed a kiss on top of her head, and stood up. Carson looked down at Erin’s bent head before she offered her a hand to stand up.

Erin stood and looked into her eyes and Carson lowered her head briefly for a gentle kiss.

"Goodnight, Erin. Sleep well."

That night the use of hot water in Carson’s house was minimal as both women opted for cold showers, and even though the bed in Carson’s guestroom was comfortable Erin tossed and turned most of the night.

The softness of Carson’s skin and the feel of her full breasts as they pressed against Erin’s own smaller offering played over and over again in her mind.

Why the hell had she insisted that they slow down anyway, Erin wondered? Clearly Carson was more than ready for a more intimate relationship, and Erin was only using Carson’s innocence as an excuse. What was worse, Carson had figured it out. Erin was the one afraid. She was frightened that Carson would hurt her just as Rose had years ago. But Erin wasn’t being fair. Carson wasn’t Rose, and Erin knew very well that there were no guarantees in love.

There and then Erin almost got out of bed to see if Carson was still interested in consummating their relationship. Instantly she changed her mind and rolled over to thump her pillow. It was late and Carson was probably already asleep.

Eventually Erin did fall into a fitful sleep, but it was to dream of soft pink nipples and heated embraces. In her dream there were no doubts or fears. The fantasies of her waking thoughts intruded into her subconscious.

"Carson," she said again hoarsely, reluctant to leave the erotic dreamscape of passionate kisses and flesh wet with desire. It was the soft whoosh of the central heat as it swished on that brought her fully awake.

Erin’s throat was dry and she had the distinct impression that she had been panting in her sleep. She pushed back the covers and walked out into the hallway on bare feet. A glass of water would help her calm down, and maybe she could get back to sleep. Erin raised a trembling hand to her mouth and was surprised to find sweat beaded on her upper lip. The wetness between her legs cooled, and made her shiver.

In the hallway she saw Carson’s partially closed bedroom door, and stopped as she contemplated her actions. She was so tempted to walk in there, to eliminate the distance between them and fulfill the desires they both longed for. The urge was so strong that Erin walked over to the doorway and raised a hand to push the door open just a little more.

She could hardly see anything in great detail. Light from the window cast shadows across the bed, and Erin could only make out the lump of Carson’s body. Carson didn’t move, and Erin could hear soft, even breathing. Just watching Carson sleep brought back the feelings from her dream, and Erin swallowed thickly against raging desire. She knew she should walk away, but all Erin wanted was be near the younger woman.

No, that’s not true. I want her, and damn the consequences. It was a feeling she had denied herself after Rose, and thought she would never feel again, and somehow it made her feel more human than she had in years.

Erin’s fingernails dug into the soft wood of the doorframe as she struggled to control her passion. She had to walk away now, while she still could.

"Erin?"

Carson’s sleep husky voice brought Erin’s full attention to where Carson lay. The younger woman propped up on one elbow to observe her closer. For a second Erin could believe that their eyes met and held in the darkness before Carson finally moved. She raised the covers to invite Erin into the bed with her, and that was all it took.

Erin heard the groan come from her own lips, but she had already crossed the room and slid into the bed.

"Carson,"

"Shhh," Carson whispered. "Just sleep here with me."

Erin snuggled into Carson’s strong body and settled her face comfortably just above her breasts. She wanted to make love to Carson, but just couldn’t get past the horrifying idea that what Carson felt was only infatuation. If something happened between them, and then Carson changed her mind Erin knew it would break her heart. She was just grateful that Carson was willing to wait, even if she didn’t necessarily agree with it.

Warm, and safe in Carson’s arms Erin fell into the best sleep she had enjoyed in a very long time.

Carson heard the murmured delight in Erin’s voice from where she stood in the kitchen, and smiled indulgently. Erin had still been asleep when Carson left her side to plug in the lights on the tree and start a pot of coffee.

She had learned many of the sounds Erin made in pleasure during the night, and shuddered delicately at the memories. Erin was not a quiet sleeper and tended to giggle and converse with herself while she dreamt. Carson had lain awake most of the night simply holding the other woman, and laughing softly at the sounds she made.

At the moment however, she thought Erin’s delight had more to do with the huge fire in the fireplace and the lights on the tree. Carson poured two cups of coffee, and walked into the living room eager to see the expression on Erin’s face.

Erin sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the coffee table. Her feet were bare and she wore flannel pajamas and a robe. Carson was suddenly aware of her own meager clothing and felt a soft flush of arousal. She was also dressed in sleepwear, but as tempting as Erin was Carson had made a silent promise to go at the other woman’s pace. Eventually Erin would realize that what Carson felt wasn’t fleeting. Just sleeping in her arms was enough for the moment.

Erin heard Carson come in and glanced over her shoulder with a warm smile. "Good morning," she said softly, almost shyly.

Carson sat the coffee cups on the table before she knelt down next to Erin and slipped her arms around the other woman. She placed a kiss on the soft cheek and fought the urge to giggle while she murmured her own greeting.

"What’s so funny?"

Amusement threaded Erin’s voice as she asked the question, and Carson pulled away to look at her semi-seriously.

"Erin, I have seen you first thing in the morning on three separate occasions, and you always look as though you have been pushed out of bed."

"So I’m not a morning person," Erin groused good-naturedly. "So shoot me."

"I would rather kiss you."

Erin gulped loudly and looked intently into Carson’s eyes before she whispered, "Sounds good to me."

Carson slowly lowered her head, maintaining eye contact with Erin for as long as possible until she gently took possession of Erin’s lips. After all the practice from last night on the sofa Carson felt she knew exactly how Erin liked to be kissed, and took advantage of that knowledge to kiss Erin until she trembled.

Finally Carson pulled away and waited for Erin’s eyes to flutter open before she said softly, "Merry Christmas, Erin."

"Oh, yes. It’s definitely that."

Carson grinned at the heartfelt response and released Erin to hand her a coffee.

"You’re too good to me."

"I know," Carson teased back. Then unable to stop herself, Carson teased, "Of course if I enjoyed sleeping as much as you do I would hate to wake up, too."

Erin froze with the cup halfway to her mouth. "What do you mean?"

"Oh nothing, but if you’re going to talk in your sleep the least you could do is speak up so that I can understand what you’re saying?"

"Huh? I don’t talk in my sleep."

Carson laughed at the indignant tone, and said, "Actually, you do. And you giggle, and grin. It’s very cute."

"I most certainly do not giggle!"

"Of course you don’t."

Erin eyed the grin on Carson’s face, and tried to scowl at her but it didn’t work. Eventually she settled on looking bemused, and said, "Well, I’m glad you were at least entertained."

Carson rested a hand on Erin’s thing and said, "It was the best night of my life."

They sipped their coffee quietly for a moment, and Carson wondered how much longer Erin could stand it. The attorney couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away from the tree, and Carson remembered how she had decorated the tree with almost childlike enthusiasm. Even now Erin’s eyes were wide with curiosity and Carson was forced to smother another chuckle.

After a few more minutes she decided to take pity on the other woman, and sat her cup on the table. Carson grinned and asked, "Would you like to open your gifts now?"

Erin fairly thrust her cup into Carson’s hands, and coffee sloshed dangerously close to the rim before Carson managed to sit it down.

"Well, I didn’t want to rush things," Erin said already across the room on her knees, "but since you asked, sure. Why not?"

Carson did laugh then, and scooted over next to Erin on the carpet. The attorney was so eager Carson was surprised she wasn’t rubbing her hands together in glee.

"And since it is my idea, I shall pick the one you may open first."

"Okay," Erin nodded in acceptance. "Then I get to pick yours."

Erin leaned over on her hands and knees and plucked the smaller package she had brought for Carson. It was the one Carson had indicated might contain cigars, and Erin couldn’t resist the mischievous smirk that settled on her lips.

"You can open this one."

Carson accepted the small package, and considered that turnabout was fair play. Just for that Erin could wait for her bigger gift too. She picked up the small package and handed it to Erin just as she was assailed by doubts. Was her gift too childish?

Last night Carson had considered the gift to be a small gesture of her affection for the fiery redhead. Now she wondered if it wasn’t just a touch juvenile. Perhaps she should have let Erin open the larger package, after all. Unfortunately it was too late. Erin had already snagged the small package from her and had eagerly started to rip into the decorative paper.

Carson bit her lower lip in worry, and hoped that if Erin didn’t like it she would at least refrain from laughing.

Holiday paper was discarded messily and Erin struggled with the tape that held the box closed before she finally got it loose. She looked into the box, and her smile faded. If possible, Carson felt even worse. Obviously the gift was so childish that Erin didn’t know what to say, and was undoubtedly trying to come up with something gracious.

Carson held her breath while Erin reached into the box and pulled out a fluffy white teddy bear. The teddy bear had been scented with Carson’s own perfume, and around its neck was a silver bracelet from the same jewelry store where she had purchased Jay’s watch.

A single charm hung from the bracelet, and was the kanji symbol for longevity.

Erin met her eyes softly, and she said, "Carson?"

Carson cleared her throat. It was already done. All she could do now was go along with it, and act like nothing was wrong. Her stomach fluttered, and she tried to hide her disappointment that Erin didn’t like the gift.

"The symbol is for long life. If you don’t like silver, I can always exchange it for a gold one."

"What? Are you crazy? I love it!"

Erin flung her arms around Carson’s neck and flattened her against the carpet before she kissed her breathless. She released Carson’s lips and planted several small kisses all over her face saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Carson held on to Erin and laughed at the other woman’s reaction. "You’re welcome, I assure you."

Eventually Erin climbed off Carson and removed the bracelet from the bear, before she offered it to Carson to help her put it on. Erin sat for a moment simply enjoying the shine of the bracelet from the firelight. Then she looked up at Carson. "Your turn."

Carson picked up the gift and shook it slightly while she affected a curious look. "You’re sure it’s not cigars?"

"Brat," Erin pushed her leg slightly with her toes. "Just open it."

Carson removed the paper in a much more refined way, but when the paper was off she tore into the box with just as much enthusiasm as Erin had shown. She was greeted by a small leather case, and she opened it carefully.

"They are beautiful, Erin. Thank you."

Carson was almost speechless from the simple elegance of the pen and pencil set. She picked up the pen and noticed that her initials had been carefully engraved into the side. No one had ever given her anything like it and she looked at Erin with shining eyes.

"Hey," Erin said. "It’s just a writing set."

"No, it isn’t." Carson shook her head. "It is wonderful."

How could Erin ever understand the poverty Carson had grown up with, and the lack of generosity her father had shown his only child?

There had never been Christmas dinner, or a tree, or the magnitude of gifts most children enjoyed. Usually Carson had spent Christmas alone with a meal of macaroni and cheese, and barely an acknowledgment of the day from her father before he headed out to the bar. He preferred drinking beer with his buddies, and watching football to spending the holiday with the only family he had left.

"I didn’t mean to make you cry."

Carson realized tears were running down her face and she sat the writing set aside before she gathered Erin into her arms.

"They’re tears of joy, Erin."

Erin’s arms tightened around her neck and said, "I’m glad. I never want to cause you pain."

"Then you should release me," Carson squawked. "You’re choking me."

Erin laughed and pulled away. She hadn’t meant to squeeze so hard. "Sorry about that. Now, we still have gifts to open."

"Right!"

Carson and Erin reached for their gifts for each other at the same time and butted heads. Carson saw stars and sat back to rub the sore spot on the top of her head. After her vision returned properly, Carson shook her head and said, "Perhaps you should go first."

Erin was laying flat on the floor laughing her head off, and Carson smiled indulgently. Then the attorney sat up and handed Carson her final gift. Carson handed Erin a large package and they agreed to open them at the same time.

From the shape and texture beneath the paper, Carson guessed hers was some type of framed picture. She opened the gift slowly, more interested in seeing Erin’s reaction to her present. The gasp that greeted her didn’t disappointment.

"Oh my! Carson, I don’t know what to say. This is amazing!"

Erin pulled the fountain pen desk set out of the box and stared at it intently. The desk set was mounted on polished cherry wood. It boasted a clock, and calendar as well as the traditional fountain pen and ink well.

"You truly like it?" Carson asked softly. She hadn’t been sure that replacing Erin’s old set was the right thing to do. What if it had been a gift from her father? Erin had mentioned him when Carson asked about the old-fashioned writing instrument.

"Oh yes. The other one’s almost worn out, and I wasn’t sure where I was going to find another one. Where did you get it?"

Erin looked at her wondrously, and Carson smiled. "No way. I can’t give away all my secrets."

"Fine, I guess I’ll just have to keep you around in case I need another one of these beauties. Now, don’t keep me waiting."

Erin indicated Carson’s present with her chin and Carson finished ripping the paper away. When she saw what it was she couldn’t believe it. Erin had given her a print from one of the major works they had seen during the Japanese Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A stream wound through the background surrounded by trees and men fishing. Fish jumped in the stream, and the colors were so vibrant that Carson almost felt the scene come to life.

Carson swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at Erin. A tender expression rested in the blue-gray eyes and Carson felt their connection through that gaze.

"Thank you. I shall cherish it always."

Erin reached over and cupped Carson’s cheek. Then she pushed a strand of blond hair behind her left ear and reached behind Carson’s head to pull her closer. The kiss was soft, tender, and completely without passion. It was an expression of gratitude and genuine caring.

"You’re welcome. Are you going to tell me where you’ll hang it?"

"Hmm. If I put it here no one else will be able to enjoy it, so I think I’ll hang it in my office."

"Sounds fair," Erin said. "After all, my gift will be on my desk, too."

With everything settled they cleaned up the wrapping paper and settled back to sip coffee. About an hour later Carson announced that she had to get things going or Christmas dinner would be late.

"Oh no!" Erin exclaimed. "Isn’t it too late for the turkey to go in?"

Carson looked at her strangely for a moment before she said, "Erin, I got up at five o’clock this morning and put the turkey in. Didn’t you feel me get out of bed?"

Erin flushed slightly and waved a hand dismissively. "I guess I must have been out of it."

"You must have needed it. Now, why don’t you go take a shower and I’ll start cooking."

Erin left for her shower and Carson began to peel yams and prepare them for baking. Besides turkey and sweet potatoes, Carson had dressing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, and fruit salad planned. She had already begun seasoning the dressing before Erin returned.

"Anything I can do to help?"

Carson looked over her shoulder and smiled. The heat of the shower flushed Erin’s skin, and her eyes sparkled with her mood. She was dressed in dark jeans, and a slate blue turtleneck sweater. With sneakers on her feet, Erin was dressed more casually than Carson could remember seeing her.

"You can start peeling apples if you want." Carson nodded toward the dining room table. She had already laid out apples, oranges, bananas, and a bag of walnuts.

"Where are the knives?"

Erin came up behind Carson and slipped her arms around her waist. The soft nibbles on her ear caused Carson to shudder pleasantly. "If you keep that up I won’t be able to concentrate."

"So who said I wanted you to concentrate?"

Carson turned her head and met Erin’s lips in a tender kiss. The caress lasted only a moment before Carson felt Erin smile against her lips.

"What are you thinking?" Carson asked.

"Just that I can’t believe how good it is to be here…with you."

Erin tightened her arms briefly before she released Carson. Carson wanted to return the embrace, but her hands were covered in raw dressing. Soon, she promised herself.

"I’m glad you’re comfortable. I’m not used to having anyone here, but it just seems so natural with you."

Erin smiled broadly, and then asked, "Knives?"

"That drawer," Carson indicated with her chin.

Erin opened the drawer and selected a very sharp pairing knife before Carson warned her to be careful. It was a new knife, and Carson knew the company that made it had a reputation for fine cutlery.

The atmosphere felt positively domestic. Erin sat at the table peeling and chopping fruit while Carson prepared the dressing. It gave Carson a sense of home such as she had never experienced before, and she felt her heart warm. Constantly aware of Erin at the table behind her, Carson used a couple of potholders and took the turkey from the oven. It only needed another hour to be done, and she judged it was time to add the stuffing. She had found through experience that if she added the stuffing too early it would be dry, and hard.

Carson sat the twelve-pound bird on the stovetop, and started to scoop dressing into the cavity. When it was full she added the rest of the stuffing around the sides and re-covered the turkey before she placed it back into the oven. Erin was separating segments of orange and putting them into the bowl of chopped apples.

"I’m going to take a shower now," Carson said. "You all right for a while?"

"I’m fine. I know I’m not much of a cook, but even I can chop fruit without too much trouble."

Erin smiled that lopsided smile that Carson had grown fond of, and Carson could only smile back before she left the room.

After her shower, Carson returned to the kitchen to finish the other side dishes. By one o’clock the table was set and they settled down to a wonderful Christmas dinner.

Carson and Erin clinked their tea glasses together in silent toast.

"This all looks delicious," Erin said. "I don’t remember the last time I had a home cooked Christmas dinner."

"Especially one that you helped to create?"

"Har har," Erin said dryly. She didn’t mind being teased by Carson and had to admit to a sense of accomplishment. Cooking wasn’t one of her favorite pastimes, but she was proud to have helped prepare their meal even if all she had done was make the fruit salad.

Later they sat close together on the sofa. The fire crackled warmly as they sat with their arms around each other. The day was almost over and for Carson the experience had been almost magical.

"You know you’re going to have to take me home soon, right?"

Erin hated to spoil the mood, but Tuesday was a workday and she needed to go over some briefs before her ten o’clock meeting. What a way to spoil a mood!

Carson snuggled into Erin’s hair before she murmured, "Are you sure you have to go?"

The huskiness of Carson’s voice hit Erin’s midsection like a physical blow. No, the last thing she wanted was to go home, but she had no choice. Work came first, even if it was awfully tempting.

"Don’t ask me that. You know I don’t want to go."

"But work comes first."

Carson kissed the top of Erin’s head and tightened her hold. "It’s all right. I understand."

Carson said she understood, but Erin could hear the reluctance in her voice. She concurred completely, and the last thing she wanted was to leave this warm, soft spot in a beautiful woman’s arms.

Finally Carson relented and reluctantly drove Erin to her apartment. After a lingering kiss, and meaningful gaze between them Carson left the penthouse floor. Although Erin had stuck to her guns where her work was concerned she regretted the decision, and knew it was going to be a long night before she could see Carson again at work the next day.

Sometimes Erin really questioned her decision not to let romantic relationships interfere with business. Then again, if she hadn’t made that resolution she wouldn’t be a senior partner at a prestigious law firm. With success came consequences, and fortunately it looked like Carson was all right with that.

Erin unpacked her bag and took a shower before she dressed in a silk green nightgown. Then she sat down at her home office to complete the briefs for tomorrow’s meeting. It took less time than she thought it would and Erin was in bed before ten. The sheets were cold and lonely without Carson beside her.

It was a surprise to her that one night spent in Carson’s arms, even platonically, seemed to make the woman indispensable to her. Erin huddled in the center of her bed and wished that Carson were behind her just as she had been last night. Eventually Erin fell into a cold, restless sleep.

Carson stepped back from the wall to examine her handy work. The print given to her by Erin for Christmas hung in the center of the wall behind her desk. It was perfect…just like Erin as far as Carson was concerned; although the print didn’t have the lawyer’s wonderful blue-gray eyes or that husky laugh that could send shivers up Carson’s spine.

She had just put the hammer down on the corner of her desk when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in."

Jay breezed into the door with a huge grin on her face. Her salt and pepper hair bounced as she walked, and Carson couldn’t help the smile on her face when she spotted her friend. The Rolex glinted brightly and she carried a newspaper in her left hand, but Carson didn’t think anything about it.

"So, did you get any?"

"Jay!"

"Oh, I guess not."

Jay smirked at the blush that settled on Carson’s face, and then she tossed the newspaper onto Carson’s desk and settled herself comfortably into the client chair.

"I thought you should check out the paper, but maybe you should sit down first."

Carson could tell from Jay’s tone that she was only half teasing, and she was intrigued about what could make her happy-go-lucky friend so serious. Carson sat down behind the desk and picked up the paper. It was turned to the local news section on page twelve, and the headline screamed out at her. Carson’s heartbeat accelerated until she could feel it in her throat.

Carson’s blood ran cold as she read the words.

What if Erin read this or heard about it from someone else?

She remembered the expression of fear on Erin’s face when Carson had found her hiding in the kitchenette that night. Erin had almost shot her thinking Carson was the killer. Things had gotten much better since that night, but whenever the subject came up a haunted look would flit across Erin’s face. Whenever that happened Carson would again realize that Erin was merely putting on a front.

And how dare the reporter mention their names in the article so carelessly?

She couldn’t take the chance that Erin would hear about it from inner office gossip, and stood up from her desk.

"I have to see Erin."

For once Jay saved her flippant remarks, and stayed quiet while Carson stood up and took the paper with her. Carson was already in the elevator on the way down when it occurred to her that Erin might be too busy to see her.

She stalked into Erin’s outer office unaware that in her fear she projected the same cold air she had the first time. Josette glanced up and saw Carson. When she visibly blanched, Carson hesitated and forced a friendly expression before she walked over to her.

"Josette, is Ms. Donovan free by any chance?"

The young woman’s emotions were so clear on her face that it was almost comical. Carson could see wariness turn to dislike before it segued to curiosity, and then became a professional mask. Of course Josette’s mask had nothing on Erin’s, and it was all Carson could do not to chuckle at the secretary’s dilemma. If it weren’t for the seriousness of her visit, she might have given in to that urge.

"I’ll check with her, Ms. Tierney. Won’t you have a seat?"

Carson didn’t want to have a seat. She wanted to stalk through those doors and see Erin now. Fortunately, she didn’t have long to wait.

"Ms. Tierney? You can go right in."

Now that she had been granted access, Carson strode quickly into Erin’s office and carefully shut the door. She was halfway across the room when she noticed the tight look on the other woman’s face. Carson slowed down and walked carefully over to the chair in front of Erin’s desk. Even though the attorney had granted her access, Erin looked like she wasn’t quite aware of Carson’s presence.

"Erin? What is it?"

Erin started briefly, and then looked up at her.

"I just came from a meeting with Ray."

"Why does that not sound like good news?"

"No, it is." Erin didn’t sound very convinced. Then she shook her head and told Carson, "He says that his wife, Martha, is ill and he wants to take some time off. He called Bob and I in so that he could split his caseload between us."

Carson frowned. If Ray Eldridge split his caseload between his two partners it would create extra work for Erin, but she wasn’t the type of person to balk at a little hard work so there was something else Carson didn’t know yet.

"Is there something you’re not telling me?" Carson asked gently.

"He said since you and I get along so well he’s giving me your file."

Ah, so that was it. Erin was worried that she would allow her personal feelings to influence her judgment. Carson understood her concern, but she wasn’t worried about it. She had been unhappy with Ray’s representation of her company, and couldn’t think of a better person to represent her.

"I can’t do it," Erin said, confirming Carson’s suspicions. "What if I let myself be influenced by…this…us."

Carson considered Erin’s point carefully. She had the feeling that an emotional plea at this point would be counterproductive.

"Just the fact that you’re worried about that proves that you would never allow it. You’re too professional for that. I trust you."

"But I don’t trust myself! Don’t you see?"

Erin stood abruptly, and stalked around the desk to perch on the edge in front of Carson.

"Where you’re concerned I don’t trust myself, at least not in a business sense. If I represent you I am going to be so focused on anything that might be a threat to you that I might…"

"Might what?"

Erin looked down at the floor briefly before she looked back up. "Let’s just say that it might become a little obvious how I feel about you."

"I see. And that would make you feel vulnerable?"

"Exactly. Carson, you own your company. If your reputation takes a little hit you can just shrug it off. You’re the best in the business, and people are still going to go to you even if they find out that you’re a …"

"A lesbian? Why can’t you say it?"

"Because I’ve worked so hard not to let my personal life effect my work. I can’t afford it. If people find out about me, I lose business. There are plenty of other lawyers out there, and the conservative businessmen I represent aren’t going to want to be associated with a lesbian."

"You underestimate yourself, Erin. First of all I don’t believe you would allow yourself to act unprofessionally no matter what the circumstances. And if you are so focused on anything that would be a threat to my company, how would that be different than how you represent any of your other clients? That’s what makes you so good at what you do."

Erin listened intently, and Carson thought she might be getting through to her.

"As far as other people figuring out how we feel about each other, that’s up to us. Isn’t it? I think we’re both adult enough to keep our relationship out of the workplace. As far as I’m concerned it’s not anyone’s business, but I will not act as though we’re not friends."

"But we’re so much more than that, aren’t we?"

Carson reached up to clasp Erin’s hand gently. "Yes, we are. And if you think we can hide that completely then you’re wrong. For that reason I think it’s important that people know we’re friends."

"That way they’re not looking for something more?"

"Yes." Carson smiled up at Erin sweetly. "Make no mistake, I could care less if people knew how we feel about each other, but I know this is important to you."

Erin squeezed Carson’s hand a little tighter, and finally released her. "You’re right of course. I am panicking a little."

"Yes, you are."

"Not going to let me get away with a thing, are you?"

"Would you expect anything less?"

Erin chuckled and stood up. "Thank you for that. I have to admit I feel a little better. Now, what did you want to see me about?"

Carson looked down at the paper in her hand, and regretted what she was about to do. "Jay came by to see me a few minutes ago."

"Oh?"

Wordlessly, Carson handed Erin the paper and watched her carefully for a reaction. Erin’s eyes widened in stunned amazement, but there was no fear in her expression that Carson had expected. When Erin finished the article she looked angrily over at Carson.

"This is outrageous! It’s bad enough that a crazy man has seen who we are, but now he knows our names and who we work for. Not to mention the fact that this article says we were unavailable for comment. I don’t know about you, but no one called me about an interview! And why are we just now hearing about this? The Holcomb Building is like our own little world, and people don’t keep secrets around here. Granted this incident didn’t take place in the building, but it is associated."

"I don’t know," Carson shrugged. "Maybe after what happened last time, security is trying to keep things quiet."

"Or maybe since there were no dead bodies this time, people aren’t as interested."

Carson was a little surprised by the sharp tone. It wasn’t like Erin to be so acerbic, and Carson thought she was feeling a little overwhelmed.

"You don’t mean that."

"No, I don’t." Erin closed her eyes for a moment, and her anger drained away. Then she said, "I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I guess I’m just feeling frustrated. I thought all of this was over, but now I find it’s not."

Erin walked back around her desk and sat down. She threw the paper onto the desktop and looked over at Carson. "Regardless, I am not about to take this article lying down."

She picked the phone and started punching numbers from memory.

"Erin, who are you calling?"

"The newspaper." Just that moment the call must have been answered. "Yes, this is Erin Donovan of Eldridge, Donovan and White Law Association. I need to speak to your editor in chief."

The person on the other end must have been trying to give her the run around because the next thing Erin said was, "Well, he’d better get un-busy very quickly or your paper is going to find themselves slapped with a lawsuit for libel!"

Another pause then, "Yes, I’ll hold."

Carson chuckled and raised a hand to cover her mouth. She’d never seen Erin so forceful or commanding and found it extremely sexy.

An instant later the editor of the paper must have picked up because Erin launched into a tirade. "Your paper printed a story on page twelve of the local news section that mentioned me and one of my clients directly in the article. The way this story was written not only gives out personal information about victims of a crime, but implies that we might have some information about the killer that was inside the Holcomb Building."

Erin went on to explain that not only did they have no information of any kind, but that the reporter had placed them in extreme danger by revealing their identities. She demanded that the paper print a full retraction by the next morning, and pointed out that they were never even contacted by the reporter.

"In addition you will hold a press conference in the Holcomb Building at ten in the morning and admit to shoddy, tabloid reporting. The story will run on your news station at noon and again at six. If you don’t I will slap you with a libel suit so hard you won’t know what hit you."

Carson could hear the editor’s desperate apologies from where she sat in the visitor’s chair and stifled her laughter with both hands pressed over her mouth.

When he stopped groveling long enough Erin smiled, but the smile imparted no warmth to her features. "Yes, both Ms. Tierney and I will be ready for you at ten o’clock in the conference room on the sixth floor."

Erin didn’t say goodbye, but merely hung up the phone. She sat quiet for a second and then asked, "Any thoughts about this?"

"Only that you’re amazing when you’re pissed off!"

Both of them burst out laughing, but after their mirth had tapered off Carson said, "The article is a little sensational, but it did bring up a good point."

"Oh? What’s that?"

"Are the two incidents related? That first night when you and I were in the building we didn’t know anything about the killer’s actions on the eleventh floor."

"That’s true, but if you recall we had other things on our minds…like getting out of the building alive. But I’m more concerned that he could come back here. Because of this article, the killer knows who we are now."

"What do you mean?" Carson asked.

Erin’s expression hardened. "We know the killer had the opportunity to take Ed Cupper’s security card. He would have access to every floor, and if someone forgot to cancel that card he would still have access."

"It makes sense," Carson frowned in worry.

Erin began to tap her fingertips on the desk, and Carson wondered what she was thinking. "Erin?"

"Remember I told you that I thought the killer looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I might have seen him?"

"Yes. Are you telling me that you remember now?"

"No," Erin shook her head. "Nothing like that. But Marsters approached me about five years ago to represent their company when they were sued for spewing toxins into the air. It was the same incident mentioned in the newspaper article. I refused, but there were a lot of demonstrations at the time and a lot of people picketing on the front steps."

"You’re thinking that one of the protestors is the killer? That’s a long shot, Erin, and just because someone disagrees with chemical research companies, that doesn’t make them a killer."

"That’s true," Erin admitted after a moment. "I’m sure I’m just clasping at straws."

"In any case, I’m going to go out on a limb and remind you that you have a curfew."

Erin responded immediately, "Uh uh, I only agreed to that before Christmas. Christmas is over now."

"Erin, please, humor me? The holidays aren’t over yet, and business won’t pick up until after the New Year. We both thought that first incident was an isolated event, but the fact that Marsters has been vandalized again, even if it wasn’t in this building, proves that it wasn’t. Until the police catch this guy you need to be careful."

"The police? Are you kidding me? I haven’t even heard from Detective Hutchins. The police couldn’t catch a cold."

"Nevertheless, they are all we have."

"Are they?"

"Erin?" Carson didn’t follow where the other woman was going with this, but she didn’t think she liked the destination the attorney had in mind.

"Just hear me out," Erin said with a raised hand. "We already know that the police don’t have a clue, but you and I might. We also have access to the building, and the security personnel. I know Holcomb’s chief of security personally. Bill told me he had installed new cameras all over the building just before we were attacked here. Since the police were focused on the first floor, sixth, and eleventh floors they might not have seen all of the tapes."

"Then we need to tell them. They don’t have all the facts so of course they won’t be able to find the suspect."

"No, I don’t want to tell them."

"What? Why not?"

"Because if we tell them we won’t be able to find out who it is?"

Carson lunged to her feet. "Erin, we can’t go around playing Nancy Drew!"

"Why? We can figure this out."

"You are going to get yourself killed, that’s why. I won’t let you do it!" Carson was surprised that Erin would even consider such a thing. "Don’t you remember what it was like before? That guy is strong, and not altogether sane. He will kill you without a second thought."

That last statement seemed to hit home, and Erin’s expression tightened briefly with remembered fear. All the wind went out of her, and Erin finally relented. "You’re right, he would. Okay, you make a valid argument, but if I’m still on curfew so are you."

"Beg your pardon?"

Erin put her fists on her hips, and stubbornly jutted out her chin. "That’s the way it is. I’ll draft a memo to all of the firm’s personnel telling them that until this guy is caught everyone will be out of the building by five-thirty. And that includes you. Agreed?"

It only took a moment for Carson concede. "Agreed. I’ll do the same with my people. Our new contract doesn’t go into effect until after the first anyway, and most of the preparatory work is already finished."

"Good. Now, I better get back to work."

Carson nodded and took the paper when Erin offered it to her. She was almost to the door when Erin said, "Oh, Carson? Since we want people to understand that we’re friends how does lunch sound?"

Carson turned around and her stomach tingled at the look in Erin’s eyes. Her expression said that friendship wasn’t the only reason she wanted to have lunch together. Carson nodded, and said, "I’ll stop by to get you at twelve. There’s a little bistro down the street I’ve been wanting to try."

"Make it twelve-thirty, and you’ve got yourself a date."

"Twelve-thirty," Carson agreed.

Erin sat in her chair for a few minutes after Carson left. She was more afraid than she had let on to the other woman, but Erin was also tired of being scared. She didn’t like to feel weak, and had learned that when she felt that way she needed to do something to take control. That was why she insisted that they were the ones to unravel the mystery. She could understand why Carson wouldn’t want to do this, but once Erin found some concrete evidence she was confident that Carson would go along with her.

Something else occurred to her, and Erin reached for her phone to speak with Josette. The secretary picked up immediately.

"Josette, I’ll be taking over Mr. Eldridge’s account for Ms. Tierney. If I’m not busy when she comes to see me you can show her in."

Josette sounded a little surprised when she said she understood, but Erin was already focused on other things.

Erin hung up the phone and walked over to the small filing cabinet she kept in the corner. As a rule she held onto every document that crossed her desk for three years. Most of them were kept in the archives downstairs after the one-year mark, but anything Erin felt was particularly significant she kept in the bottom drawer. The wrongful death information connected with Marsters Research Corporation fell into that category, and even though it was more than three years old she had held onto all of the research she had conducted on it.

For some reason Erin was convinced that all of this was connected to that original lawsuit, and it nagged at her like a toothache.

The file was extensive, and contained information for Marsters safety protocols, employee records, and blueprints for the main lab. In addition Erin had kept all of the newspaper clippings when the protests started. The newspaper articles contained photographs of the demonstrators, and Erin skimmed through everything very quickly. In the end all she did was familiarize herself with the case from the past. There were no pictures of the killer, and she didn’t find anything solid to connect anyone to the recent attacks, but she didn’t really have the time right now to go through everything as closely as she wanted. Erin still had to go over the client files Ray had presented her with, and get familiar with each of them before she could hope to represent the clients properly.

Carson had said that everything could be unrelated, but Erin had a gut feeling it wasn’t true. Somehow she knew they were related, but she was missing the vital connection.

Maybe what she needed was a fresh set of eyes. Erin would bring the subject up with Carson over lunch and see if she would be willing to take a look at the information Erin had on Marsters. Maybe she would find something that Erin had missed.

Erin tucked the Marsters information away in her briefcase intent on going over them at home later when she had time. After that she sat down at her desk and focused on getting some work done.

Time passed quickly while she worked and it came as something of a surprise when there was a light tap on the door.

Erin looked up from the piles of paper on her desk and frowned at the door. "Come in."

To her delight Carson was back. The tall blonde leaned around the edge of the door and smiled at her. Apparently Josette had taken her words to heart, and told Carson to go on in.

"Hey there," Erin said with a soft smile. "Is it time already?"

Carson stepped the rest of the way into the room and closed the door behind her before she answered. "I knew you would lose track of time so I figured I would come to get you."

"Good idea. I did lose track of time."

Erin stood and retrieved her overcoat from the coat rack in the corner. She left the stack of files where they lay on her desk since she intended to get right back to them after lunch. Erin’s only meeting that day was scheduled for two so she would have plenty of time to get the files organized and put away in her filing cabinet.

"So where’s this amazing bistro you wanted to try?"

"It’s just down the block," Carson said. "DeLaurenta’s, have you heard of it?"

"Yeah. I hear it’s pretty good, although I haven’t been there myself."

"That’s good. Finally, a place that neither one of us knows about."

Erin ignored the curious look she got from Josette as the two women walked out the door. "We’re going to lunch, Josette. If any one calls just take a message."

"Of course, Ms. Donovan."

They walked down the street bundled up in coats and scarves. Even in the frigid winter air the crowd was thick and they had to walk closely together. The air was cold, and the wind bit into their skin, but like most people who lived in Chicago it was just another part of a typical winter day.

Erin cast a glance overhead at the gray sky. The sun wasn’t even visible, and the air held a faint scent that told her another storm was only hours away. It wasn’t anything quantifiable, just something that one who lived for years in colder climates became accustomed to. It was almost like a sixth sense.

"Have you heard the forecast today?" she asked Carson.

"We’re supposed to get more lake-effects snow. I was planning on leaving work a little early and try to avoid the worst of the traffic. Ah, here we are."

The little Italian bistro was already humming with business, but they managed to find a small table in the back. In no time a waiter came and dropped off two glasses of water before she took their order. When she was gone Erin took advantage of the momentary lull to bring up the Marsters thing with Carson again.

"I’ve been thinking about what we talked about before, and I went back through the files and pulled everything I have on Marsters Research Corporation."

"I thought we had that settled."

Erin ignored the frown and kept talking like she hadn’t heard Carson speak. "And I didn’t really notice anything that could tell us who is doing this, but I thought that maybe you could take a look. You know, a fresh set of eyes and all that."

"You’re just not going to let this go, are you?"

Erin grinned. "If I say no will you help me?"

Carson heaved a mighty sigh, but Erin thought it was more for effect than because the other woman was annoyed. She sat patiently and waited for Carson to come to a decision.

"All right. I’m probably out of my mind, but I’ll help you with your cockamamie scheme. Now, tell me. What did you have in mind?"

Erin fought the urge to rub her hands together in triumph. "Well, I thought I’d bring the file home and go over it more closely. If you want, you could come by tonight and look at it with me."

"I don’t know, Erin. That storm is supposed to hit by early evening, and I don’t want to be out late in it."

She hadn’t thought of that, but Erin didn’t want Carson to drive in bad weather either. Still she was convinced this was important, and wanted to go over the file as soon as possible.

"What if you stayed at my place tonight? You could bring some things to leave at my apartment so you don’t always have to worry about planning ahead. That way you don’t have to drive in the storm, and we can go over the information together."

"Thought of everything, haven’t you," Carson teased with an uplifted eyebrow. "Are you sure that’s not just a way to get me in your clutches?"

Erin enjoyed the banter and easily fell into it with Carson. "If I get you in my clutches, you’ll know about it."

"Oh, I already know," Carson assured her. Then Carson became serious, and shifted in her chair. "I’ll help you look through the files, Erin. But if we find anything you have to promise me that we’ll turn the information over to the police."

"Of course." Erin just hoped Carson couldn’t hear how insincere the assurance was. "What time are you leaving work?" she asked to change the subject.

Carson frowned at her like she knew what Erin was doing, but let it pass. "I thought I’d leave about four, but I’ll have to go out to the house and get some things before I come to your place. I’ll probably go ahead and do that as soon as we finish lunch. What about you? I didn’t see your car in the underground lot, did you take a cab today?"

"No, I couldn’t get one. I guess all of the cab services are really busy because of the weather so I decided to walk."

"You walked in this weather?"

"It’s not that far."

The waitress dropped off their lunch plates and left quickly to wait on other patrons.

"Why don’t you let me drive you home then?" Carson asked and picked up her sandwich.

"All right. Come down and get me on your way out of the building."

"You don’t have any meetings that I’ll be interrupting?"

"Not today. I only have one meeting, and it should be over long before that."

"Okay," Carson smiled. "I’ll pick you up on the way down."

They spent a nice lunch together in each other’s company. The food was merely adequate, but the company was exceptional. All too soon it was time to go back to work. The sky had darkened considerably while they were gone, and Erin thought the storm might be coming in sooner than expected.

‘What time did you say this storm is supposed to hit?"

"The report I heard said by seven o’clock, but from the way the sky looks I’d say it will be here before that."

"I agree," Erin said. "I wouldn’t be surprised if it gets here by four."

They stepped into the elevator with six other people, and the car started upward.

"Do you want me to stop by earlier?"

"No, it’s not that far. Even if the snow starts before then I think we’ll be all right."

The doors opened at the sixth floor and they parted company. Erin and Carson shared a brief smile before the elevator carried Carson up four more floors.

"Brrr, it’s freezing out there! Tell me again why I walked to work this morning?"

Carson smiled at the rhetorical question and followed Erin into the penthouse apartment of the Benton. She carried a large duffel bag, and a suit of clothes over her shoulder. They were the things she would need for work tomorrow, and the press conference that Erin had planned with the Chicago Tribune.

Erin put her briefcase and a sack full of groceries that Carson had picked up at the market on the floor by the entryway, and took off her overcoat.

"Why don’t you go take a hot shower and warm up while I unpack the groceries and get settled in the guest room?" Carson asked and hooked her fresh suit on the coat rack. Erin put her coat next to Carson’s. She knew how bare Erin’s cupboards usually were and had stopped by the market for some breakfast items. She didn’t bother with dinner because they planned to order from the RL.

Erin turned toward Carson mid-way through taking her coat off. She had a frown on her face and Carson wondered what she had said wrong. "The guest room? Why in there?"

Carson shook her head slightly. "I just assumed that was where I would stay."

Erin walked up to Carson and took the duffel bag from her. She sat it on the floor, and then reached up to cup a soft cheek. "I had thought we were past that. After Sunday night I guess I just assumed that you would stay in my room…with me."

"I guess I didn’t expect that," Carson admitted shyly. She suddenly had difficulty meeting Erin’s eyes and looked down at the tops of her shoes. "You said you wanted to go slow."

Erin quietly assessed the expression on Carson’s face. She saw an uncertainty in the younger woman’s expression that she wasn’t accustomed to. It bothered her to think that Carson might think she was unworthy of Erin’s love, or that Erin was holding back because she thought Carson wasn’t experienced enough for her.

"I do. It feels so good to take our time with this, and just enjoy being together without any pressure of something more. But if you’re going to spend the night in my apartment, I really would like to sleep in the bed with you. If you want to, that is."

Carson’s eyes burned when she looked at Erin. "I would like that."

"Good. Then it’s settled. Unfortunately, there isn’t any room in my drawers for your clothes so if you want to unpack, the guestroom dresser is empty. I think I’m going to take a quick shower while you do that."

"Okay."

Carson started to walk down the hall to unpack, but Erin stopped her.

"Wait a minute, you forgot something."

A gentle hand on her arm pulled Carson into Erin’s smaller frame. The attorney stood on tiptoe, and kissed Carson gently. As usual the feel of Erin’s lips captured Carson utterly. She forgot about everything except the texture, and sweetness. Carson’s tongue explored the small creases in Erin’s lips before she deepened the kiss.

Erin had meant the kiss to be short and sweet, but it deepened until it threatened to set her on fire. The need for oxygen finally forced her to pull away.

They stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before Erin swallowed hard, and said; "I guess I should take that shower now."

Carson could only nod and watch the attorney walk away. When Erin turned the corner and went out of sight Carson took a deep breath. She needed to unpack and take a very cold shower.

And I’m expected to sleep with her?

For the next twenty minutes Carson unpacked, and waited for Erin to get out of the shower. She selected a pair of silk pajamas, and white socks to put on later. She laid the clothes across the bed, and took her toothbrush back toward the other end of the apartment. If she was going to spend the night in Erin’s bedroom it only made sense to put her toothbrush in that bathroom.

Erin was ruffling her hair with a towel when Carson walked into the living room. She wore a white terry cloth robe, and had nothing on her feet. Carson wondered if she had anything on beneath the robe.

"You look relaxed."

Erin turned her head and grinned. "And you look tense. Something wrong?"

"Nothing a cold shower won’t cure," Carson mumbled under her breath.

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing. I think I’m going to take a shower."

"I thought we could order something from the RL," Erin said to her back.

"Sounds great." Carson turned back toward Erin and tried to keep her eyes off Erin’s chest. "Why don’t you order for both of us? I trust your judgment just no freshwater fish, right?"

The lights came on in Erin’s eyes and she said, "Right. You’re allergic."

"Right."

"Where are you going?"

"To take a shower." Carson looked confused.

"I thought you were going to use my room."

Carson hadn’t considered that meant using Erin’s shower as well, but she wasn’t going to admit that. Instead she said, "I’m just going to get my clothes. Unless you prefer that I walk through the apartment in my birthday suit after I take my shower."

Erin’s eyes went wide, and blood rushed into her face at the mental picture she suddenly had. Then she let her breath out in a rush and said, "You did that on purpose."

"Of course," Carson said mischievously, and walked saucily down the hall.

Carson retrieved her clothes and passed by Erin on her way back to the attorney’s bedroom. Erin was on the phone with the RL, and had her back to the hallway. Carson couldn’t help looking at the strong legs under the short robe. Erin’s legs were lean, and well muscled. It was obvious that she exercised regularly, and Carson wondered if she used the gym on the lobby floor.

She cast an openly loving look at the attorney before she walked into the bedroom. It was the first time Carson had been in Erin’s bedroom, and she looked around curiously. She felt a bit like an intruder even though Erin obviously wanted her here. The room was dark, and sultry, decorated in burgundy and cherry wood. The mattresses on the bed were thick and covered in a heavy down comforter.

Decadent was the only possible description for what she found, and Carson swallowed hard. She noticed the door in the corner and walked into the bathroom. It was similarly elegant to the bedroom with the same colors of burgundy, and ochre. A heated towel rack stood on the wall between the oversized tub, and the separate shower stall.

Carson put her clothes on the back of the toilet, and her toothbrush in the holder next to Erin’s before she looked around more closely. A shelf next to the tub held several bottles of perfumed oils, and the tub was large enough to easily accommodate two people. Carson shivered at the thought of sharing the tub with Erin.

She turned her back on the tub and opened the shower door. Carson was surprised to see that even the shower had jets on the sides.

Carson thought of the impression that Erin gave the outside world, conservative, professional, and perhaps even a little rigid. From the things she had learned by getting closer Carson knew differently. She knew that Erin was really a free spirit when not locked into the world of corporate law.

She knew that Erin laughed in her sleep, and hated to get up in the mornings. Erin was a hopeless romantic with a hedonistic streak, and the passion that swirled just beneath the surface could quite possibly capture Carson in a whirlpool and carry her helplessly away.

Carson pushed the thoughts away with difficulty and turned the water on. If she didn’t stop thinking about Erin in a sexual way she would never be able to get through the night without doing something to embarrass herself.

When Carson emerged from the shower Erin was dressed in a red sweat suit, and had on sports socks. She raised an eyebrow at the definite change in style from the short terrycloth robe.

"Can’t exactly answer the door in a robe, can I?" Erin teased.

The doorbell rang a few minutes later, Erin having called down to the concierge and informing him that the RL would be making a delivery. The women settled at Erin’s small kitchen table, and sat down to a wonderful dinner. Erin had ordered a rack of lamb, steamed vegetables and two Caesar salads. Carson wasn’t a huge fan of lamb, but it had been expertly prepared in a light mushroom and saffron sauce.

Erin also chose a heavy red wine that perfectly complimented the meal. Dinner was a leisurely affair, and neither of them felt the need to rush. It was nice just to spend time together. Eventually the meal came to an end, and they retired to the living room.

Carson noticed Erin make a quick stop by her briefcase, and she took a breath to steel herself for what was about to happen. Obviously Erin had decided it was time to go over the file she had mentioned earlier. Carson didn’t really think the old case could be connected, but she had promised to go over the file with her.

Erin sat down closely beside her and opened the folder up on the coffee table. Carson was impressed by the size of the file, and noticed that Erin had even included press clippings related to the wrongful death suit.

By the time Carson finished reading the newspaper stories she was convinced that Marsters should have been found guilty, but was sharp enough to realize that the press could make a nun look like a mafia hit man. Still, even if most of the information was true Marsters must have paid someone off to have literally gotten away with murder.

"Why didn’t the EPA get involved in this?"

"They did." Erin dug deeper into the file and retrieved another document that she offered to Carson. "The Environmental Protection Agency had an injunction issued against Marsters after they were cleared by the courts. Marsters may have gotten off light where the victims were concerned, but the EPA is something else altogether. Marsters’ research lab was forced to shut down until more stringent safety protocols were instituted."

"But it was too little, too late," Carson said. "If the victims were correct and it was the research company’s fault that they got sick new safety procedures would have been little comfort."

"True, but there really was no way to prove the company was guilty of any wrong-doing. I mean, how do you prove why someone gets cancer?"

Carson had to admit the truth of that, but if one of the victim’s relatives came to the conclusion that Marsters was involved what lengths would they go to in order to exact revenge?

For the next hour Erin and Carson reviewed the file. They looked for anything that might explain why the company kept being targeted, and even studied the pictures of protestors in the newspaper clippings in the hopes that they would see a familiar figure.

In the end they found nothing definitive to link the events.

"I still think it’s all just a coincidence. It does look like someone has it in for the research company, but it could have nothing to do with what happened five years ago. People protest chemical research companies all the time."

Carson could tell by Erin’s expression that she was disappointed not to find the connection, and she resisted the urge to smile. Erin was like a bulldog when she latched onto an idea, and Carson thought she would have made an excellent detective.

"I guess you’re right." Erin put all the documents back into the folder and pushed it away. "Maybe I’m just grasping at straws."

Carson slid an arm around Erin’s shoulder and hugged the smaller woman against her side. "It’s understandable to want an explanation for what happened to us, but we may never know. Right now, it’s enough for me that I’m here with you."

"You say the sweetest things."

Erin looked deeply into Carson’s eyes, and Carson decided she didn’t want to think about the research lab anymore. All she wanted was the feel of Erin’s lips pressed against her own. She had just started to lower her head to kiss Erin when the attorney suddenly had to stifle a huge yawn.

Carson grinned and said, "It’s late, and you’re tired. Why don’t we get ready for bed?"

"Umm, sounds wonderful."

Erin released her and stood up from the couch. She offered a hand to Carson who didn’t really need it, but took it nonetheless. Erin let Carson brush her teeth first while she pulled down the covers on the bed. When Carson returned to the bedroom she quickly slipped beneath the sheets while Erin got ready for bed.

When Erin came out of the bathroom a few minutes later she stopped suddenly, and looked down at Carson with an unfathomable expression on her face.

"Do you prefer this side?" Carson asked confused.

Erin smiled and shook her head. "No, it’s not that. I was just thinking how strange and wonderful it is to come in this room and see you lying there."

"Come to bed," Carson said softly and lifted the covers invitingly as she had at her own house on Sunday.

Just as quickly as she had on that previous occasion, Erin got into bed and snuggled close to Carson. Carson had to lean over her to turn off the bedside lamp, and pressed their bodies even closer together.

Erin stifled a moan when she felt Carson’s full breasts crush against her, but she could do nothing to prevent the slow burn that started in her veins. Carson must have felt the sudden tension in Erin’s body. After the light was out Carson moved even closer until Erin was flat against the mattress with Carson lying on top of her. Carson rested most of her weight on her elbows, and placed her lips close to Erin’s.

Erin felt Carson’s breath whispering against her lips, and waited for the kiss she knew was coming. When it didn’t she opened her eyes to see Carson watching her in the darkness.

"What are you waiting for?" Erin asked breathlessly.

Carson didn’t answer. Instead she kissed Erin slowly, but gently, careful not to let the caress escalate out of control. Eventually Carson drew back, and Erin opened her eyes. She could feel Carson tremble against her, but after a few moments Carson lay back against the sheets. Erin cuddled against her, and finally fell asleep with Carson’s arms wrapped around her.

Carson came awake slowly and reluctantly. She was nestled in a warm cocoon of flesh amidst tousled covers. It was still dark, and for a moment she was confused about what had awakened her. Then Erin shifted again from where she slept atop Carson’s prone form and pressed her breasts against Carson’s.

A soft gasp escaped parted lips when Erin wriggled sensually against her.

She realized Erin was only partially awake and moved against her in a hypnotic, half-dream state where her body was simply responding to its desire, but that didn’t make lying motionless any easier.

Carson tried to stay still and let Erin come fully awake, or settle back into sleep, but she couldn’t prevent her body’s response. Blood surged through her veins, and her nipples hardened beneath the pajama top. Her arms had come up instinctively to hold Erin to her and now she felt them tremble.

She squeezed her eyes shut, and gritted her teeth to hold in the sounds she wanted to make. Two of the top buttons of her shirt had come unbuttoned during the night and Erin’s cheek lay against her exposed chest.

Erin moved again and mumbled something Carson couldn’t understand before she lifted slightly and pressed her lips against Carson’s breastbone. Erin’s tongue slipped between her lips and Carson felt the heated touch on her tender skin.

"Erin!" Carson grunted softly.

The sound of her name seemed to awaken Erin more fully and she raised her head to look into Carson’s eyes. Instead of stopping like Carson expected her to, Erin held her gaze and slowly closed the distance between them. Even in the dark Carson could see the heat of desire in Erin’s eyes. Her lips touched Carson’s gently, and Carson moaned into the kiss.

The kiss was gentle, exploring, and Carson’s arms tightened around the other woman. Erin shifted against Carson again, and her legs parted to straddle a muscled thigh. Her right hand slid up Carson’s ribcage to the opening of her pajamas. Carson shuddered when Erin’s strong fingers began to stroke her skin.

Carson knew this wouldn’t be happening if Erin were fully awake and had her defenses up, and that she should stop her before Erin did something she would regret, but she couldn’t. She wanted Erin too badly to push her away.

Erin slowly released Carson’s lips and slid down to kiss and nip the soft flesh of her neck. The sensations were so intense that Carson didn’t notice what Erin was doing with her hand. Sharp, white teeth closed over the lobe of her ear at the same time that she slid under the shirt and grasped Carson’s breast in a full-handed hold.

Carson cried out again and arched into the touch. She felt Erin smile against her before she slid down the long, lean form to place gentle kisses in a line across Carson’s chest.

Erin raised her head again and stared into Carson’s eyes. She released the full breast, and kept Carson pinned with her gaze while she finished unbuttoning the shirt. Folds were parted, Carson’s upper body completely exposed in the moonlight before Erin released her gaze, and looked down to see the creamy expanse of delicate soft skin she had exposed.

"So beautiful," Erin whispered.

Without warning Erin dipped down and took as much of Carson’s breast into her mouth as she could. Erin sucked at the soft flesh, and swirled her tongue around Carson’s hardened nipple.

Carson grunted and pressed a hand against the back of Erin’s head.

Erin wasn’t still during all this. The taste and feel of Carson was too much for her. The pounding pressure between her legs was getting harder to ignore, and she just needed to ease the sharp sensations a little. Erin pushed against Carson’s thigh, and the sudden intense jolt took her by surprise. She groaned against Carson, and started to move against the strong leg.

Erin’s pressed her thigh up against Carson’s center, and both women gasped. Erin could feel Carson’s heat and moisture against her bare thigh as her nightgown rode up, and she writhed in response.

The movement of Erin’s thigh made Carson aware of the new sensations that exploded in her body. Carson immediately slid her hands down Erin’s back and grasped her hips firmly.

Erin let go of Carson’s nipple and threw her head back. "Oh, yes."

With her hands braced on either side of Carson’s body Erin closed her eyes and rocked against her unashamedly. Their bodies merged, and became one in sense and feeling. Erin opened her eyes, their gazes met and held as Carson moved her hands from Erin’s hips to cup rounded breasts. It was the first time she had touched Erin’s intimate flesh directly and she gasped at the softness.

The sight of Erin moving above her was incredible. She watched Erin’s eyes half closing, her mouth open, heat pouring into her cheeks as she bit her lower lip and stroked herself back and forth over Carson’s leg. Erin’s chest heaved as she moved faster and faster.

Carson watched Erin’s breathing become harsh, and wondered if she was near release. The idea titillated her, and was so overwhelming that she released Erin’s hips to brace one arm against the small of her back to increase the contact. Erin gasped again, and Carson moved her other hand to the place where Erin rode against her leg.

"Oh, yes, Carson. Touch me."

Carson whimpered, and slid her hand between Erin’s body and her leg. Erin pressed down against her and started to move when the moment was abruptly shattered.

A sudden, strident ring stopped Erin in mid-stroke, and her eyes opened in confusion. For an instant that was an eternity she couldn’t seem to make sense of the horrendous noise that filled the air. Then both of them realized it was the telephone.

"Oh no," Carson groaned, trembling harshly in her desire. "Oh no, Erin. Don’t answer that."

Erin’s expression was stricken, but she responded, "I have to. I’m so sorry." It was obvious that Erin couldn’t quite bear to leave Carson’s embrace. She lowered her body against Carson with long fingers still pressed against her to answer the call.

Erin stretched across the bed to reach for the phone on the nightstand. She could just barely reach it with her fingertips, but finally managed to get hold of it. A quick glance at the clock on the nightstand told her it was just after six.

"Hello?" Erin said harshly into the receiver. Erin propped up on one elbow, and pushed her mussed hair away from her face with her free hand.

Carson was still caught up in the feel of the woman in her arms. She began to press small kisses everywhere she could reach on the nightgown-clad shoulder. Her fingers were still against Erin and she couldn’t resist moving them just a little to get a response. She was delighted when Erin shuddered and pressed against her hand. Then she froze and leaned away from Carson.

"Yes, sir. I’m all right."

From her tone, and the tension suddenly present in her body Carson understood that there was something special about this call, and that their incredible lovemaking had just come to an abrupt end.

Erin slowly, but insistently pulled away from Carson. She lay down against the mattress with Carson at her side while she listened to the person on the other end.

"But daddy, I really am fine. I’m sorry you had to hear about it from him, but that article was just a sensational bit of tabloid journalism. We’re having a press conference later today, and the Tribune is going to recant their story."

Another pause, and Carson could only guess what was being said on the other end.

"Yes, it’s true that we were in the building."

"Yes, some of the people inside were killed, but we’re fi…"

"What? Forty minutes? But daddy, it’s still dark outside. I’m not even out of bed!"

"Yes sir. I understand. Goodbye."

Erin slowly hung up the phone and rolled over to rest her head on Carson’s chest. Carson held Erin against her and inhaled the scent of her skin.

"Three guesses who that was."

"I only need one," Carson replied huskily.

Her tone made Erin lift her head and look worriedly into her eyes. "I’m so sorry, my darling. I would give anything if he hadn’t called."

Erin’s soft knuckles brushed against Carson’s cheek. She rose up to kiss Carson again, gently and slowly. Passion threatened to bloom again and Carson pulled away shakily.

"What did he say?"

"Hmm? Oh. Daddy said his old partner read the paper and saw the article about us. He phoned and told my father everything." Erin kissed the corner of Carson’s mouth. "Daddy took the redeye out of Phoenix and is at the airport now."

Erin kissed the corner of her mouth again, but closer to the full lips and Carson panted a little with renewed passion. She turned her head and claimed Erin’s lips in a smoldering kiss. Erin groaned into her mouth and rolled fully onto Carson’s body, seemingly intent on taking up where they had left off before the phone call.

Carson was only able to hold onto the reality of their situation by the thinnest of margins.

"Um, Erin? Erin!" Carson gasped when Erin bit gently into her neck.

"Yes, Darling?" Erin questioned and sucked Carson’s earlobe into her mouth.

It was difficult to process information with Erin’s wet tongue swirling around the shell of her ear, but Carson pushed on. "Shouldn’t we stop?"

"Why?" Erin asked softly.

"Isn’t your father going to be here soon?"

Erin froze, and drew back to stare into Carson’s eyes in something akin to terror. "Oh my God, you’re right. He’s taking a cab and is going to be here in forty minutes!"

"I don’t think it would be a good idea for him to find a half naked woman in your bed," Carson teased with a wicked smile.

She watched Erin flush crimson even in the moonlight, and couldn’t help but laugh at the woman’s plight.

"You’re very funny."

From the way she sounded, Carson knew Erin didn’t really mean it and decided to have pity on her.

Both of them scrambled out of the bed, and Carson remade the bed while Erin rushed into the shower. Within ten minutes Carson was dressed and had collected all of her belongings. Erin took a quick shower and was wrapped in a robe with a towel around her head turban style by the time Carson was ready to go.

Carson said a quick goodbye and was headed for the door when Erin grabbed her arm from behind to stop her.

"What is it?"

Erin slipped her arms around her neck and nuzzled against Carson’s chest, before she whispered, "I didn’t plan what happened earlier, I’m just sorry we were interrupted."

"So am I."

Carson held Erin against her for a few delightful moments. Then she kissed the top of her head, and said, "Another time?"

"Oh, you can count on that." Erin reached up and kissed Carson gently, careful not to let passion get the best of her again. Then she pulled away and said, "Please don’t leave. I’d really like for you to meet my father."

"Are you sure?"

"I’m sure it might be a little awkward, but if I chased you out of here I would feel like we were doing something wrong." Erin’s eyes darkened and she said gently, "Not that I’m ready to flaunt a relationship in front of my father so a certain amount of decorum is called for, but I think we can handle it."

Carson thought about it for a minute and decided Erin was right. It would be no different than if a friend had slept over at the penthouse, and there was no way Mr. Donovan could tell what they had been doing simply by looking at them.

"In that case I need to get a shower. Quickly."

The corners of Erin’s eyes crinkled when she smiled, and she reached up to kiss Carson’s nose playfully. "You’d better hurry if you’re going to unload that bag again."

Carson quickly unpacked in the guestroom and decided to take a shower there in interests of time. She could only towel dry her hair, and comb out the long strands, but by the time she emerged Erin was dressed for work, and already had the coffee ready.

"How much time do we have?" Carson asked as she walked up behind Erin at the kitchen counter and slid her arms around the other woman’s waist.

Erin glanced at her wristwatch. "About twenty-five minutes."

"Good. Since I’m going to meet your father I’d like to make a good impression."

"What did you have in mind?"

Carson didn’t miss the amused tone and brushed a kiss on the top of Erin’s head. "I was thinking I could make breakfast."

Erin turned around carefully in her arms and said, "Darling that really isn’t necessary. I’m sure he doesn’t expect it."

"Nevertheless, we all require a good meal, and it will give me something to do besides fidget."

Erin’s expression grew concerned and she squeezed Carson gently. "I didn’t even consider that you would be uncomfortable. Would you prefer to meet him another time?"

"No. To be honest I’m looking forward to meeting your father, but I am still a little nervous about it."

"Don’t worry, Darling. I’m sure he’ll love you." Erin started to say something else but caught herself just in time. "I’ll tell you what, why don’t I help you and it’ll be ready when he gets here?"

"Can you make toast?"

Carson’s tone was serious and for a moment Erin looked outraged by the question. Then she saw the sparkle of humor in Carson’s eyes, and poked her in the stomach.

"I think I can manage."

A knock sounded on the door and the women exchanged a nervous look. Erin could see a brief look of fear pass across Carson’s face before the exec drew on her neutral business face that made her look icy at times.

"Don’t worry," Erin told her, and patted Carson’s forearm. "It’ll be fine."

"Easy for you to say."

Carson didn’t know Erin heard the low comment, but she followed her to the door anyway.

Erin opened the door, and smiled a welcome before she was grabbed in a bear hug. She was assailed by the familiar scent of Sean Donovan’s aftershave, and pulled away after a moment to look at him. His eyes twinkled merrily, and he had a healthy tan. Her father’s once dark brown hair was just starting to gray at the temples with a few streaks throughout, and Erin thought he looked rather dashing in his three-piece suit.

"It looks like Arizona agrees with you."

Sean stepped into the penthouse and took off his overcoat before he said, "I had forgotten what an icebox Chicago can be this time of year. Hello. Who’s this?" he asked in a friendly voice.

Erin looked back and forth between her father and the woman she loved. She hadn’t mentioned Carson while she spoke to her father on the phone, but her dad looked open, and friendly while Carson was frozen to the spot. She looked even more pale than usual, and for a split-second Erin wondered if Carson was about to pass out.

"Dad, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine. This is Carson Tierney, head of Delphi Technologies."

Sean stuck out his hand, and Carson seemed to come out of her trance.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Donovan."

"Sean, please," he corrected. "I’ve heard of your company, very impressive."

"Come on in, dad. We can talk over breakfast."

Sean allowed Erin to take his overcoat before he surprised both of them by taking Carson’s arm. "Is that what smells so good? Erin, I don’t remember you even knowing how to cook. What’s changed?"

Accustomed to his teasing banter, Erin merely laughed and led the way to the dining room. "Nothing has changed. Carson is the cook. I definitely think I’m getting the better end of this friendship."

They sat down to a veritable feast, and Erin was suddenly glad that Carson had gone out of her way with the meal. There were blueberry pancakes with butter and syrup, crisp bacon, and western omelets. On the side of each dish Carson had placed a bowl of strawberries and fresh cream. Erin’s contribution to the meal, a plate of toast, sat center along with a carafe of hot coffee.

"Delightful!" Sean said and rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Remind me to drop by unannounced more often."

Erin thought about what they would have been caught doing had he not called first, and ignored the embarrassment that sent the rush of blood to her ears as they tucked into the meal. Carson finally began to relax a little as they ate. Conversation centered at first on the fierceness of Chicago winters, but eventually came around to the reason for Sean Donovan’s visit.

"An old colleague of mine, John Rasor, called me last night to ask if I’d heard what was happening here. He told me about the killings at Holcomb, and asked me if you were all right. Of course I had to tell him that you hadn’t even mentioned it."

Erin cleared her throat and looked away when he raised a brow in silent inquiry. "Anyone want more coffee?"

Since Carson’s cup was full, and her father merely raised his eyebrow further. Erin took that as a ‘no’.

"Really, dad. I’m sorry that I worried you, but things just happened so fast that I didn’t have time to tell you."

He looked at her blankly for a moment before he said, "Erin, it happened before Christmas, over a week ago. I would think that sometime in the last week you could have called me. You do still have my phone number, don’t you?"

"Of course," Erin said weakly. How could she tell him that she’d been too busy falling in love to fill him in on everything? Finally, she relented and asked, "What do you want to know?"

"Not much. Just everything. How did you come to be alone in that high rise with a lunatic? How did you escape when everyone else was killed?"

Erin could hear an edge of panic to his voice even though it was obvious that she was perfectly healthy. She must have scared the wits out of him to take a red eye out of Tucson, and rush to her side instead of just calling. Suddenly she felt like the worst kind of daughter, and wanted to make it up to him somehow. The first step would be to tell him everything that had transpired, even if she didn’t really want to dwell on those terrible memories.

Staring down at the tabletop because she couldn’t quite meet his eyes, Erin said quietly, "I wasn’t alone."

"Ah, that’s right. John mentioned that another person was inside with you."

"Not just anyone," Erin said softly, and looked up to meet her father’s gaze. "Carson was with me."

Sean’s eyes darted quickly to the quiet blonde, and then refocused on his daughter.

"She saved my life. If Carson hadn’t been there, I probably would have been just another victim to that guy." Erin turned to Carson and held her gaze. "I was alone at first, and frightened. I found a dead man on the elevator right outside my office door. Was the killer there when the elevator opened? I don’t know. If he was I can’t tell you why he didn’t check that floor first. All I know is that a woman I had only known for a few hours suddenly came through my door, took me under her wing, and kept me safe."

"After you almost shot me in the face," Carson amended wryly.

"Come again?"

Erin looked back at her father’s shocked tone.

"Let me explain."

Erin started again at the beginning and filled Sean in on all the details. By the time she was finished Sean was looking at Carson with new eyes. She had known he was impressed by Carson’s reputation in the computer world, but now she sensed something else.

When she was finished he sat quietly for a moment lost in thought. His coffee had grown cold while he was riveted on the tale. Then he looked up at Carson with shining eyes, and said, "I’m grateful. I don’t know what else to say. Erin’s all I have left since her mother died. If I had lost her…" Sean’s voice cracked and he looked away for a second.

"Mr. Donovan," Carson began. "Sean. The experience was very frightening, for both of us, but I’m afraid Erin is exaggerating slightly. She was very composed throughout the whole ordeal, and I am grateful that she was there. If Erin hadn’t warned me that a killer was loose inside the building, no doubt I would have walked right into him. You would have been proud of her."

"I’m always proud of her. But the question is; what could he have been after? Why kill a bunch of people for no reason in a secured building?"

"We actually have a theory about that. Come on into the living room and I’ll show you the file. Carson stayed over last night so we could look at it, but we didn’t find anything definitive. Maybe you could offer a fresh perspective."

Erin ignored Carson’s undignified snort, and led the way out into the living room. She settled onto the sofa and her father sat down beside her. Erin could tell by his expression that he was fascinated, just like her. Carson didn’t appear as enthusiastic.

"Unfortunately, I have an early meeting with Jay. My programmer," she explained when Sean looked at her blankly. "I have to be going."

This time Carson extended her hand first. "It was very nice meeting you, Sean."

"And you, Carson. I hope to see you again soon."

Carson and Erin merely exchanged glances before the blonde dipped her head briefly, and walked to the door. She paused briefly to grab her overcoat, and then she was gone.

Erin and her father spent the better part of the next hour going over the file. When they finished they were no closer than before, but her father did have an idea. He mentioned a former business acquaintance that might be able to give them more detailed information. Apparently the friend was actually connected to the old case in some way, and Sean promised to speak with the man in a few hours.

They sat the files aside and spent the next few minutes catching up. Erin was really enjoying their conversation when he blind-sided her.

"So, seeing anyone?"

Erin had just taken a sip of coffee and started to choke on the hot beverage. Her father grinned, and waited for an answer.

"When would I have the time?"

"You’re being evasive. I know. I perfected the art."

"My, look at the time. I told you we’re having that press conference this morning, so I better get ready."

"All right, all right," Sean laughed. "I’ll let you off the hook. But seriously, Erin, how long has it been since Rose? Five years, six? I just want to see you happy."

"I know, dad." Erin stood up and so did her father. "And I thank you for that sentiment, but I guess I’ll just have to muddle along in my own way."

"So you’re hinting that I should mind my own business." It wasn’t a question, but Sean seemed more amused than insulted.

"I would never be so presumptuous." Erin kissed her father on the cheek and took her coffee cup into the kitchen.

"You go ahead," Sean said. "I’ll clean up here. I still have my key."

A special key was required to allow the elevator access to the penthouse. Otherwise, the concierge had to intercede to allow guests to the twenty-sixth floor.

"Thanks, dad. I should get going. Are you coming to the press conference?"

"I wouldn’t miss it," he said conversationally as he followed her to the door. "Who’s going to do the talking? I don’t imagine you would want to be seen by the press."

"Hardly. Photos of Carson and I would be plastered all over the headlines by noon. Bob said he would speak for us, but we have to be present at the meeting before hand in the conference room."

"I’ll see you later then."

Erin had her overcoat and briefcase, but before she could close the door her father stopped her.

"Oh, and Erin? If you want my opinion, that Carson sure is a nice girl."

Erin wasn’t used to getting advice on her love life from her father, and was flustered enough not to point out that Carson was hardly a ‘girl’. Instead she chose to take the comment differently than he intended.

"She is nice, isn’t she?"

He watched the press conference from the hotel room on the outskirts of Columbus, Ohio. Robert White, one of the senior partners from Eldridge, Donovan and White, spoke for the women, and extolled their ignorance of the killer’s identity while he questioned the integrity of the journalist responsible for the questionable story.

Gamely, White ignored the flash of cameras and paraded his arrogance for the media. "And I assure you that Ms. Donovan, and Ms. Tierney have absolutely no knowledge of the suspect’s identity or his motives for the attack."

The Chicago Tribune’s Chief Editor, Ed Gilbert, stood next to the attorney, but a little to the rear. It was clear that his presence was intended to reinforce the attorney’s position, but both of the women were conspicuously absent.

Why was that? He had already seen them. Did they have something to hide?

He was distracted when the reporters suddenly began to fire questions at the lawyer.

"Mr. White, how do you account for the fact that both women were inside the building where three people were killed, yet they managed to escape without a scratch?"

Yes, very good question. He had promised Mary that anyone connected to Marsters would pay, but these two had eluded him. He felt the slow, familiar burn of anger begin to simmer in his belly.

The attorney obviously had a lot of experience performing and took the question in stride. "Sheer luck, determination and a great deal of courage, but just because they were present for those horrific events doesn’t imply any knowledge of the suspect’s identity."

Didn’t it? Why would the lawyer keep pointing that out unless they did know something? His massive brow furrowed at the implications.

The throng of journalists shouted questions, but one woman was particularly insistent and was clearly heard over the others.

"Sources inside the police department have told us Ms. Donovan and Ms. Tierney saw the killer and were able to provide a description. If that’s true wouldn’t they be seen as a threat by the suspect?"

Were they a threat? Did they know what he was doing and why? He hadn’t considered it before, but now that the question had been asked he wondered. Were the women absent from the press conference because they were planning how to stop him? Were they one step ahead, or was he?

"My dear, providing a description and actually knowing who the man is are two very different things. By implying otherwise, it is the media who are endangering these women. Now, if you’ll excuse me? No more questions."

The reporters continued to shout questions, but the attorney stepped away from the microphone and allowed Ed Gilbert to take his place. Gilbert held his hands up for silence and waited until the crowd had quieted somewhat.

"The Chicago Tribune prides itself on accurate and unbiased reporting. On behalf of the paper, I apologize to Ms. Donovan and Ms. Tierney, and I assure you that the reporter responsible for that piece of tabloid journalism will be censored. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. That’s all."

But was it all?

He turned off the television and lay back on the dusty motel mattresses to think. There was no question that finding them inside the office building had been coincidental, just as there was no question that he would have killed them. He had thought their continued existence was unimportant, but the reporter’s questions made him reconsider.

The small woman, Donovan, had been there from the beginning. He remembered how she walked through the crowd of protestors when the original suit had been brought against the research company. Someone said Marsters wanted the lady attorney to represent them, and he watched her.

At the time his heart was breaking with the knowledge of Mary’s illness, but Mary still insisted on being there. She sat in a wheelchair in front of him. Her long, golden hair was gone because of the radiation treatments, and her baldhead was covered by a scarf, but she was there.

Erin Donovan walked right in front of them, and would have kept going if Mary hadn’t dropped her purse.

He remembered the sympathy on the small face, and the compassion in her eyes when she knelt to help Mary retrieve her belongings. Even then he was confused that such a person would consider helping the enemy.

Shortly after that, Donovan disappeared from view and he forgot about her. Now she had surfaced again and been present in the Holcomb Building. His appearance had changed in five years, the beard and the bushy hair, but what if she recognized him? If she did then her companion, the Tierney woman, would also know.

He didn’t care if they caught him. His fate was unimportant. But it must not happen until his work was finished. Before they got him, he would bring Marsters to its knees. He regretted it, but they would have to be eliminated.

Tomorrow, he decided. Tonight he had work to do in Columbus. Marsters had a lab along the Hoover Reservoir that would soon no longer pose a threat, but he had to wait until dark.

Erin sat back on the sofa pleasantly stuffed. Her father sat adjacent to her in the armchair while Carson sat next to Erin on the sofa, but at a discreet distance.

"That was wonderful," Erin pronounced. "I can’t remember the last time I had pizza."

"You eat at the RL too much. I knew that was going to happen when you took over the penthouse. You have to take more time for the simpler pleasures of life."

"Like pizza and beer?" Erin teased her father.

"Like pizza and beer."

It had been a pleasantly quiet day after the press conference. Erin felt like celebrating after the workday was complete, and her father had suggested Malnati’s Pizza. Carson had been a little reluctant to join them, concerned that she would intrude on father/daughter time, but Erin had insisted. After several pitchers of beer, and two deep-dish supreme pizza pies Erin thought that Carson and her father were becoming fast friends.

"Oh, by the way Erin, I found out something you might be interested in." When Sean Donovan had their attention he said, "I spoke with Josh Keyes today about the Marsters case."

The name was familiar, and Erin was suddenly very interested. Even Carson sat forward in her chair, though she continued to insist that they leave the detective work to the police.

"Keyes? Wasn’t he one of the backers for the Dickson and Dickson law firm?"

Sean nodded. "Yes, the same firm that ended up representing Marsters five years ago. He had some very interesting things to say."

"What about client/attorney privilege?"

The question was valid, but Erin knew that Carson did understand all of the legal parameters to such a relationship, so she allowed her father to explain.

"The case was settled a long time ago, and is now a matter of public record. Josh did save me a lot of time digging, though. He said that the families were extremely upset by the court’s decision, and that one man in particular was very vocal about it. Apparently, this guy made a lot of threats against the company and the CEO in general."

"Did he remember who this guy was?" Erin asked.

"No, but he promised to look through the records to see if he could find out. The man sent several letters to the firm, but everyone just thought he was justifiably angry about the impending death of a family member."

"So they blew it off," Carson guessed.

"It’s reasonable," Sean pointed out. "If I had been in his position I might have said some things I didn’t mean, too."

"Or he may have meant them."

Sean agreed with Erin, but said, "Or it may not have anything to do with it. Marsters is a chemical research plant, and they even have some defense contracts. I’m sure they’ve made more than one enemy along the way. Unfortunately, that’s the price of doing business."

"How long will it take for him to get the information to you?"

Erin was glad Carson hadn’t pointed out that she had said the same thing, and merely asked a question. She just knew all of this had something to do with the old case.

"A few days. The file was sent to archives a long time ago, and it will take time to track it down." When no one said anything else Sean stood up. "Well, it’s getting late and I should get going."

Erin and Carson stood up with him. "Aren’t you staying here?" Erin asked.

Sean shook his head. "No, I’m going to stay at the club, tonight. I’m supposed to meet some of my buddies down there and spend some time catching up, but I’m sure I’ll see you tomorrow."

Erin hugged her father goodnight, and walked him to the door. When she returned Carson was leaning back against the sofa with her eyes closed. Erin slipped close up against her side, and wrapped her arms around Carson’s waist.

Without opening her eyes, Carson returned the embrace and sighed softly.

"Tired?" Erin asked gently.

"Hmm, a little."

"Are you ready for bed?" Erin hoped the answer was yes. She adored curling up in bed with Carson’s warmth next to her.

"Yes, unfortunately I have to go home."

"Why?"

"I have some drafts at home that I need for a meeting tomorrow."

"That’s too bad." Erin tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice, but Carson heard anyway.

"I’m sorry, Darling. I wasn’t really thinking that far ahead when I decided to stay over here."

"Could you come back? After you picked up whatever it is you need?"

Carson was quiet for a minute while she considered the question. "It’ll be awfully late."

"That’s all right," Erin smiled, and hugged Carson a little tighter. "I’ll just give you the key, and you can let yourself in when you get back."

"Are you sure you don’t mind?"

Erin leaned away and looked up at Carson. "Of course not. That is, if you don’t mind driving back here? If you prefer to get some sleep, I understand."

"I think I’d rather sleep here," Carson said, and then she leaned down to kiss Erin very softly.

Erin was tempted to deepen the contact, but Carson abruptly pulled away and stood up. "I guess I’d better be going then."

They walked to the door and while Carson put on her coat Erin grabbed her keys. They spent a few minutes kissing at the door before Carson finally left.

The temperature hovered around minus seven degrees, and Carson tried not to shiver while she waited for the heater to warm up. Her breath plumed from her with each exhalation and fogged the windshield while she rubbed her hands together vigorously for warmth. Without the threat of more snow, the sky was painfully clear and the stars shown brightly overhead. Thoughts of Erin occupied Carson’s mind as she drove toward her home.

Carson sensed that Erin was finally ready to consummate their relationship, and bitterly regretted having to leave her, but she had no choice. Tomorrow she had to meet with the defense secretary’s aide again to finalize their contract. There were details of the contract that bothered her, and she wanted to discuss them with Erin, but Carson hated to admit that she was having trouble with all the legal double talk.

Technically Erin was her attorney now, and there was no reason why Carson shouldn’t be able to talk with her.

Carson frowned as she tried to work through the legal conundrum. She was a mathematician, not a lawyer, but if she and Erin shared client/attorney privilege there shouldn’t be a problem. Carson wondered if she should clear that with the government aid first, and then snorted at her foolishness. If the government were trying to use her for their own purposes, Colonel Anderson would hardly encourage her to seek legal advice.

From what Carson understood, which she hoped was a great deal, Delphi would create encryption algorithms for government communications traffic as well as their supercomputers. The algorithms could easily be used for military applications, and if Carson went through with this the government’s scientists could take the string of code apart, and put it back together for their own purposes.

But not for at least twenty years, Carson thought. That was one condition she had insisted on, that Delphi would have exclusive control for that amount of time. After that the contract would terminate, and the government could do as they liked with the information. Computer information technology was expanding so quickly that by then, the data would be obsolete anyway. It was the one way Carson could think of to limit the military.

She realized that her imagination might be getting the best of her and she was seeing government conspiracies everywhere. The technology could be extremely important if the United States were drawn into a conflict anywhere and the encryption data could save thousands of lives. Carson was reminded of World War II and how the government had used the Navajo language because the enemy hadn’t been able to translate it. Carson didn’t know if her abilities were on par with that but she liked to think so. She liked to think that her work had the potential to save lives, otherwise what was the point of a defense contract anyway?

Carson reached her decision just as she got ready to turn off onto her lane. She would show the contract, all of the details of the contract, to Erin and get her opinion. If there was a loophole Carson wanted to know about it.

Her heart rate picked up a little as she neared her home, and her thoughts turned from work to more pleasant things. She would run in and get the documents, her suit for the meeting, and then get back into the city as quickly as possible. Thoughts of a sultry redhead alone in a queen-sized bed occupied her fantasies.

The SUV’s headlights illuminated the snowy lane before her. Trees cast shadows across the white landscape making it appear as though holes to infinity marred her path. Carson drove confidently over the smooth track with her thoughts centered on Erin’s compact form. She wasn’t really paying attention to anything until she got to the security gate that barred entrance onto her property.

Carson slowed down, and pressed the button on her visor to open the gate. It took a few seconds for her to register that it hadn’t started to move, and Carson had to slam the brakes on to avoid running into the gate. She reached up and pressed the button on the visor again, but this time she held it down. The red light clearly showed that the device worked, but the gate stubbornly refused to open.

Carson heaved a frustrated sigh before she reached down and put the SUV in park. Then she shoved open the door and hopped out into two inches of packed snow. Carson employed someone to keep the lane clear, and it had been plowed earlier in the day. She left fresh tracks all the way to the gate where she checked out the wires that lead into the solar panel. Everything looked to be in working order until she noticed the top of the panel. It was crusted in ice and snow, and Carson thought it likely that the panel had been unable to recharge, and with all the construction going on it hadn’t been hardened into the house for a back-up power supply yet.

It hadn’t bothered her that the security system wasn’t all it could be when she moved in, but after what happened inside the Holcomb Building things were different.

"That’s just great."

Carson raised a gloved hand to swipe the snow from the panel. It wouldn’t do a lot of good now, but it would give the batteries a chance to recharge the next day. What she couldn’t figure out was why the heating unit had stopped working. When the fence company had installed the panel they had discussed how harsh the winter storms could be. Carson specifically remembered that they had agreed to install a heating element to keep the panel clear of ice. Somehow, it must have malfunctioned.

That was when Carson noticed the other tracks in the snow.

At first she thought they must surely be her own tracks, and in the glow of the headlights it was hard to tell. Then she realized that the other tracks were far too large for her to have made them. Carson stood still, and looked around more carefully.

The stranger’s footprints were all around the inside of the fence. From the deeper impressions near the entrance, it looked like whoever it was had gone over the fence. It had to have happened before the lane was cleared or there would have been a lot more tracks before the gate. The tracks led from the fence directly over to the panel, but Carson doubted that the person had been trying to disable the opening mechanism. It was far more likely that they were trying to open the gate. Apparently, they weren’t very successful since there were no vehicle tracks on the inside. Even signs of Carson’s presence the day before had been obscured by the wind blowing snow over her tracks.

What had not been obscured were the tracks of her anonymous visitor. Judging by the size of the prints, her guest had been a man, and his footprints led from the gate directly overland toward her house. A very familiar sensation began to come over her, and Carson was unmistakably reminded of that night in the Holcomb Building. What if he was still waiting for her near the house? Was it the killer, and he had tracked her down somehow? Or was it some stranger that had been lost, perhaps the victim of a car accident, and had been looking for help?

Carson strained as she tried to hear anything threatening around her. All she could hear was the idling of the Lexus’ engine. If it was the killer and he was still here the engine noise had already given her away. But if it was someone that was in trouble wouldn’t they have already come out at the sound of a vehicle?

It was that last thought that finally got Carson moving. Quickly, she reached down and pulled out the bolt that would manually release the gate. It swung open easily, and when it reached its apex Carson propped it open with a rock. The rock wasn’t very heavy, but without a stiff wind it would hold long enough for her to drive through.

All of her senses were alert as Carson pulled through the entrance. She left the gate propped open in case she needed to beat a hasty retreat, and drove up toward the house. Carson stopped the Lexus in front of the closed garage door, and carefully switched off the engine. If she found any threat here at all she wanted to be in the car fast enough to lock the doors, and take off. She also hoped that her decision not to open the garage was the prudent one. It was unfortunate that she couldn’t leave her keys in the ignition to give herself a few extra seconds if needed, but she had to have the keys to open the front door.

The lights in the garage were automatically set to come on when the door opened so she couldn’t go in through the garage. Even though there wasn’t a lot for someone to hide behind she would be clearly illuminated for anyone to see.

As quietly as possible Carson opened the car door and got out. She pushed the door closed, careful not to slam it, and then walked toward the house. Fear caused her tongue to cleave dryly to the roof of her mouth, but she gamely persevered.

Nothing moved as she slowly approached the side of the house. There was no wind at the moment, for which Carson was grateful because it kept the dried tree branches from scraping together. More tracks led around toward the back of the house, and Carson quietly followed them. She had to make sure that whoever it was hadn’t gotten in somehow before she went inside.

Carson couldn’t help notice how the footprints were close up to the side of the house, as if her visitor was trying to use the shadows for concealment. She could clearly see where the stranger had stopped several times at various windows, and wondered if they had stopped to look inside. Then she was at the back of the house and followed the prints to the back deck. Small clumps of snow dotted the wooden slats, and Carson finally lost the tracks altogether. There just wasn’t enough snow on the deck to show any clear impressions since the wind had blown most of it away.

Carefully, Carson checked each window and door. Everything seemed intact, all entry points were locked, and no glass had been broken. She frowned, and wondered why someone would come out here, and go over a ten-foot security fence just to look around. It just didn’t make any sense. Could it have just been some kid out for a sense of adventure? If it was, he sure had some big feet!

Carson continued on around the house to check for any signs of a break-in. On the other side of the deck she picked up more footprints in the snow and continued around to the other side. Again her visitor had stopped at intervals to most likely peer in the windows, but there was still no sign of an intrusion. Finally she reached the front of the house and followed the footprints onto the small front porch. Then in the gloom, she noticed a set of tracks that led back toward the gate. She had driven over them in the darkness and obscured most of the prints, but there was no doubt that whoever had been here had left.

She shook her head and walked to the front door. Carson wanted to make sure it was still locked, and that no one had been inside, but in her haste she tripped over an object all but concealed in the gloom.

Carson stumbled back a step, and then focused intently on the object. It was a small cardboard box. She squatted down where she could see the package more clearly, and was surprised to see the FedEx logo on the tag. Was that what all this was about, a delivery?

Carson laughed with relief before she reached down and picked up the box. She had forgotten all about the microprocessors she had ordered, but obviously the delivery driver had taken their job very seriously. They must have handed over the package for one of the construction workers to sign for.

Since she had left instructions to leave the package if no one was available, the driver had obviously done precisely that. Carson checked the carbon of the delivery invoice and saw a signature. That’s exactly what had happened. Carson had let her imagination run away with her, and shook her head as she unlocked the front door.

She was letting herself get drawn into Erin’s Scooby Doo world of mystery, and had to get hold of her imagination.

With no further incidents Carson quickly dropped the box on the kitchen table, and walked into her office for the documents she needed. The light from the hallway was enough to identify the folder that sat on the corner of her desk. Carson grabbed the file, and took the time to walk throughout the house. All of the doors and windows were still firmly locked, and satisfied she finally picked up her suit before she left. She took the box with her as well, and would take it to the office in the morning.

The return drive to The Benton was quiet, but it was still past midnight before she pulled into the parking structure. No doubt Erin was already asleep and Carson had started to feel very tired as well.

Very few people were out at this time of the night, and Carson quietly rode the elevator to the twenty-sixth floor grateful that Erin had given her the key. She had left the folder, and the box of microprocessors in the Lexus, but still felt exhausted before the lift finally stopped. It had been a very long day since meeting Erin’s father, the press conference, and then dinner in the evening. After the excitement at home, and the resulting adrenaline rush she felt completely worn out.

She stifled a yawn and slipped the key into the penthouse lock. The apartment was dark and quiet, though Erin had thoughtfully left the kitchen light on. Carson’s clothes were in the guestroom so she took a minor detour to put her suit in the closet, shower and change into pajamas before she walked back through the apartment toward Erin’s bedroom. Carson slipped beneath the sheets, and was surprised when Erin rolled over to put a sleepy arm around her waist.

Erin snuggled into her shoulder, but slipped easily back into slumber. With Erin’s head tucked under her chin Carson joined her a few moments later.

Carson awakened warm, comfortable, and completely aroused. A small hand covered her breast possessively, and idly played with the hard little bump that formed beneath the pajama top. Carson gasped, and her eyes snapped open to look down into Erin’s peaceful features. Apparently Erin was still asleep, and didn’t realize what she was doing.

Gently, Carson rolled over on her side and encouraged the smaller woman onto her back. Erin mumbled something and her hand flopped limply back to the mattress. Carson smiled as she looked down, and thought that two could be awakened in such a delightful manner.

She lowered her head, and slowly drew the tip of her tongue up the cords of Erin’s neck. The pressure was gentle, almost nonexistent, just enough to get Erin used to the contact without waking her. Erin’s breathing remained steady as she slumbered on, but she was completely still. Carson wondered if the woman was subconsciously waiting for something more.

She smiled again and laid a hand on Erin’s ribs before she tenderly began to explore the warm body still hidden beneath a silken emerald gown. At the same time Carson’s full lips closed over an ear lobe. Carson felt the gasp of Erin’s breath against her neck as the smaller woman came fully awake.

"Carson!"

Carson didn’t respond, but her caresses became more concentrated as her hand finally covered the small, silk covered breast. Erin’s body responded immediately, and Carson could feel the hard bump jab suddenly into the palm of her hand. Carson pulled away from the shell of Erin’s ear to claim her lips in a tender kiss.

Erin responded avidly, but Carson kept the contact gentle. The kiss was slow, and agonizingly sweet, and Erin felt pulled from restful sleep into a loving assault on her senses. Her arms instinctively rose to twine around Carson’s lean form, and hold onto her tightly.

When Carson finally pulled away slightly to look into her eyes, Erin felt compelled to slow things down a little. The alarm hadn’t gone off yet, but no doubt soon would, and they both had a busy day ahead of them.

"Carson, shouldn’t we…?"

"Shhh, loving you will not change my feelings. I will not run away."

Carson placed a finger against Erin’s lips to silence her, and this time Erin knew there was no stopping what was about to happen. This was inevitable, just as that first meeting in her office had been. From the time they first spoke, they had been heading for this time, and place. Carson interrupted her thoughts.

"Don’t talk…love me,"

What little resistance Erin might have had crumbled when Carson leaned down to capture her lips in another tender kiss. Large hands avidly caressed Erin before they slid under her to cup her hips and Carson pressed herself tight against Erin.

Erin groaned aloud at the sensation that shot through her body while fireworks went off behind her closed eyes. Tongues tangled and danced sweetly as she eagerly explored the inside of Carson’s mouth to learn the curve of bone and teeth before she slid away to explore the sensitive skin of her throat.

The pulse under her lips pounded in excitement. Erin sucked more avidly on the tender flesh and forced a groan of arousal from her lover’s throat. Erin relished the loving kisses, and held tightly to Carson. She was more aroused than she could ever remember being.

"I need to feel you," Erin rasped thickly, and smiled when Carson quickly sat up and began removing her nightclothes.

Alabaster skin was slowly revealed to loving eyes. When Carson was almost finished undressing, Erin realized she was still covered with a nightgown. She had just flipped back the blankets and started to remove the garment when Carson stopped her.

"No," she whispered. "Let me,"

Carson rested her hand over the other woman’s thundering heart and watched in fascination as her nipples hardened even more under the silken material. Then she held Erin’s gaze, and slid her hand down the slender frame until she reached the hem, before she slid her hand underneath to caress the soft skin of Erin’s inner thigh.

"Please," Erin groaned.

Carson pushed the gown up until she could pull it over the other woman’s head before she dropped it negligently to the floor. Then she lay down against Erin’s side, and kissed her again as she began to slowly touch the soft skin.

Erin could feel Carson’s controlled urgency but she had waited far too long to rush this incredible event. She pulled away for only a moment and whispered, "Relax, trust me…I will take care of you."

Even while Erin spoke her fingers moved to the juncture between Carson’s legs, and dipped into the heat and wetness she found there. At the first touch Carson cried out and buried her face against Erin’s neck. Erin slid into the creamy wetness, barely entering between Carson’s folds before she brought the moisture up to swirl over and over swollen hardness. She pushed Carson onto her back before she lowered her head to take a hard nipple into her mouth, and swirled her tongue over it with the same maddening pattern as her fingers.

Carson clutched her shoulders as her body arched against Erin’s touch. She writhed and trembled, but Erin was relentless as Carson shuddered in her arms. Then Carson cried out again as she climaxed unexpectedly, the sound tore from her throat as she shook. Erin continued to caress her, and glanced up to see Carson’s eyes closed tight against the excruciating pleasure.

Gradually Erin slowed her pace as the tremors eased. When Carson could only relax against the mattress in a boneless mass, Erin finally moved up her body to kiss her gently. To her surprise Carson immediately captured her lips in a fierce kiss, and her body tensed again.

Erin cradled Carson’s face, and kissed her possessively. Her own need burned, but Carson needed more and Erin was ready to give it to her. She slid her hand down over Carson’s ribcage, and belly, stroking gently until she parted Carson’s trembling legs.

Erin caught the gasp from the aroused woman in her own mouth and slowly penetrated her with one long, slender finger. Carson’s hips lifted off the mattress as she tried to encourage Erin to move deeper.

Carson tore her mouth away from the soft lips and pleaded, "Please…more…deeper,"

Her fingers dug painfully into Erin’s shoulders in her urgency, but Erin wanted to move slowly since it was Carson’s first time. She didn’t want to hurt her. Slowly and carefully Erin moved inside Carson. At the same time she kissed her deeply until she felt Carson relax against her. As she relaxed, Erin felt another flood of moisture and moved easier inside Carson’s body until she felt her start to tremble.

"Please," Carson begged again. She whimpered in need and arched against Erin’s fingers. "More."

Erin was long past coherent thought by now. She slid another finger into Carson and began to push into her slowly. Carson’s arms were around Erin’s shoulders as she held on tightly, and countered the gentle rhythm.

Carson’s pulsing body gripped the two fingers that suddenly and unexpectedly pushed strongly into her. Her hips undulated as Erin matched her movements and sped up the pace. Their lovemaking became frenzied as each unleashed the passion they had held back for days.

Unconsciously Erin began to rub herself against Carson’s muscled thigh, gratified when the other woman raised her leg to press firmly against Erin’s heated center.

Erin suddenly arched and cried out as she was gripped and shaken by the strength of the orgasm that claimed her. The sensation was all consuming, and drowned out all coherent thought as she clung to Carson.

The rapture on Erin’s face as she peaked along with the feel of warm flesh that skidded deliciously against her swollen clitoris triggered Carson’s own release. It carried her along on a tide of pleasure until she lay limp and completely unable move.

Finally Erin felt Carson stir beneath her, and reluctantly pulled her fingers out. She smiled when Carson immediately snuggled against her with tears shining in her eyes, and declared, "My God, that was incredible!"

"Tell me again why you wanted to wait?" Erin asked slyly.

Carson looked at Erin in astonished outrage before she saw the mischief on her face. Then both of them started to laugh.

Erin’s breath caught in her throat. She looked down at Carson with her hair tangled and spread over the pillows and desire ignited again.

"I hope you’re not tired," Erin said huskily.

Carson easily read her intent and shuddered at the feral look in Erin’s eyes. It was early morning, and Carson knew she should still be tired, but sleep was the last thing on her mind. All she could think about at the moment was all of the pleasures Erin could introduce her to.

"Not at all."

"Good."

Erin moved closer very slowly. Carefully she brushed her lips across Carson’s, teasing, and stoking the fires of passion. She pulled away until she could look into Carson’s eyes that looked black in the low light.

"I…want you," Erin whispered into Carson’s mouth. She had almost admitted her true feelings and just caught herself. She wasn’t ready for that admission yet.

"I want you, too," Carson said and kissed her fully. Carson rose up to turn Erin onto her back. "But this time I want to touch you."

"Oh, yes, my darling. Anything you want."

Sometimes the sharp edge of fury felt like it had always been with him, harsh and insistent like the grief that pervaded his soul. It was the one constant in his life now just as the love and tenderness had been when Mary lived. He resolutely pushed any gentle emotions away. Tenderness now would weaken his resolve, and he couldn’t do that to Mary’s memory.

The sky was overcast and the full face of the moon barely shown through the darkness to illuminate the frozen white tundra. Anyone else would have been virtually blinded by the lack of light, but he felt he had been born into darkness. His eyes easily discerned the hulking monstrosity that jutted like a gigantic sore from the earth around the reservoir. Marsters claimed that being near a large body of water was necessary in case of a meltdown from all of the chemicals housed in the research labs, but he was sure the true reason was much more insidious.

He had come to believe that Marsters deliberately poured their toxic waste into the large bodies of water around their labs in addition to what the smoke stacks poured into the air. It was no secret that they maintained defense contracts with the government, and it was very little stretch from there to believe that the research company tested their results on the surrounding populace. Over time he came to believe that the cancer that claimed Mary and the others had been caused from a botched experiment of deliberately released biochemical compounds, and had probably surprised Marsters as much as anyone else.

But surprised or not their ignorance was no excuse and he wouldn’t let them continue their experiments. Even if he were only one man he would bring them down.

It was easy to get blueprints of the Aerotech Research and Development plant along the Hoover Reservoir in Columbus, Ohio. Even if what they did there was classified the building plans were not. A quick stop by City Hall late on a Friday night yielded the plans on microfiche. The library was almost empty, and no one had any interest in a lone man working diligently away in an obscure and little used corner. A baseball cap pulled low over his eyes, and a thick trench coat helped him maintain anonymity.

With the layout carefully studied and memorized he finally set his plan in motion. He stumbled over the uneven bank of the Hoover Reservoir as he approached the research lab from the river side. There was a high, electrified chain link fence around the perimeter of the secure lab so he had to find an alternate route. The drainage pipes that fed waste into the water would be the perfect place to find a way in. It wasn’t hard to find the entrance with the light of a full moon. Three cavernous openings were visible as huge dark shadows.

The wind off the bay chapped his face even through the protection of the heavy beard, but he ignored it while he fumbled with gloved hands to find the flashlight in the bottom of his coat pocket. A bulky backpack gave him a hunched appearance, but it was necessary since it carried all of the supplies he would need to carry out his self-appointed task.

Humidity dampened his skin and began to crystallize in the frigid air, but finally he found the light and entered the central shaft. With one hand on the curved wall for support he stumbled into total blackness. He couldn’t risk turning the light on yet for fear that it would be seen by one of the security guards that patrolled the research lab.

Detritus filled the mouth of the drainage pipe and proved that they hadn’t been flushed in quite some time. It was just more proof of shoddy safety precautions as far as he was concerned. Ignoring the urge to retch from the cloying stench he stepped over the pile and into something that squished heavily under foot. His face twisted in disgust and he finally fumbled for the flashlight switch. Still concerned with being seen before he could carry out his objective he cupped his hand over the light and picked his way carefully forward.

Rats scurried away from the flashlight, skittering and chittering in fright at the human intrusion into their domain. He ignored the vermin and traveled deep under the research lab until he came to an intersection where the mouth of the three tunnels began. There was a raised platform where workers could come into the tunnels in case maintenance was needed, but at this time of night the area was deserted. Up there somewhere was an access point into the basement of the research facility.

Determination settled within him as he thought again of Mary. Sweet Mary had never harmed another, and even after she got sick refused to be angry at those responsible. She didn’t deserve what happened to her, and even if she could never have blamed them he could.

Crossing the trisection of corridors he saw a tiny set of steps in the far left corner. He was up the steps in no time and moved along the raised walkway until he found a metal door set almost seamlessly into the concrete wall. As he suspected it was locked, but he had come prepared for almost any problems. He sat the heavy backpack down on the concrete walkway as quietly as possible. Metal items inside shifted and clanked together, but the noise was so slight no one could have heard through the door.

A quick glance through a small inset window assured him no one was nearby. He fished a crowbar out of the backpack and made quick work of the low-tech deadbolt. He pulled a can of WD-40 from the pack and sprayed the hinges to reduce the noise from what was to come next. Then he used the crowbar again to open the door.

Images of those he had killed in the Holcomb Building suddenly came to mind and he froze at the realization that he hadn’t minded the bloody work. Snapping the woman guard’s neck had been as easy as breaking dry kindling. The fear in the other’s eyes had made him feel strong, invincible. Could it be that by taking the life of everyone that had any part in Mary’s death made him stronger? Was that why every move he made to destroy Marsters was undetected by the police, and why he had come so far? Maybe this was fate’s way of making things up to him. But even if he brought Marsters to its knees it would never be enough to make up for his loss.

That thought made him angrier than ever, and his hands shook a little when he put the crowbar back into the pack. No, it would never be enough.

Silently he passed through the doorway and into a low-lit maintenance access way. He didn’t need the flashlight now, and put it into his pocket before he walked confidently down a path that would take him directly underneath the facility. There he would plant C-4 in copious amounts all around the subterranean structure. Liberal amounts of explosive in the corners and on all support beams would bring the facility down around the nightshift worker’s ears. Secondary and tertiary explosions from the chemicals would do the rest of the work for him. A smile completely devoid of humor settled on his dark features as he began to shape the charges.

=L =

"It looks fine to me. It’s just standard legal mumbo jumbo, but essentially it meets all of the points of agreement that you mentioned to me."

Carson sat in Erin’s office while the attorney assured her nothing was out of the ordinary about the government contract. Her meeting with Colonel Anderson wasn’t for another half hour, but Erin had gone over the documents far enough ahead of schedule for them to discuss the details. Before she checked over the documents Erin assured her that it was perfectly fine for her legal counsel to do so even considering the Top Secret nature of the details.

Carson knew she should be listening to Erin’s take on the contract, but memories from last night and early this morning crowded her thoughts. All she could see was the movement of wine shaded lips as Erin spoke and remembered how sweet those lips felt on her skin. Sharp desire surged through her, and she tingled at the remembered sensations Erin had introduced her to. Her breath quickened slightly as her world narrowed down to those lips. Erin was looking down at the documents while she spoke and didn’t see Carson’s silent gasp when her tongue darted out to moisten her lips.

That tongue had stroked Carson into ecstasy only a few hours ago, and Carson’s body clenched in unconscious anticipation of a repeat performance.

Suddenly Erin looked up; concerned that Carson hadn’t answered her question. Carson’s blue eyes were dark and half lidded with desire. Her lips were slightly parted as her breath rushed past them. Erin felt an answering charge through her own body and stared deeply into her lover’s eyes.

After a moment she said, "If you keep looking at me like that my behavior toward my client might become…unprofessional."

"If we were not here I would already have you beneath me."

Erin sucked in a surprised breath and held it briefly. Then she let it out with a rush. All of her ideas on office etiquette came back to haunt her in that instant. Erin remembered how she felt about office affairs, and how uncomfortable she had been with the idea that Josette might figure out something was going on between her and Carson. Then she remembered last night, and how easily Carson had gotten past all of her defenses in such a short amount of time. She still didn’t want to be caught in a compromising position at work, but speaking like this would hardly bring the corporate world crashing down around her ears.

A little flirtation was harmless, but Erin wouldn’t let it go any farther than that right now.

"Hold on to that thought," Erin told her in her sexiest growl. Secretly she delighted in the visible shudder that went through Carson’s lean frame before she concentrated again on the contract in her hands. "I was asking if there was something in particular that bothered you about the contract."

"No, I just don’t want to overlook anything vital and give the government control of our research because of some loophole."

Erin shook her head. "I don’t see anything here that would do that."

"That’s a relief. Well, I suppose I should let you get some other work done," Carson said and stood up. "I need to see Jay for a moment before the Colonel arrives for our meeting. Will you be there?"

"Of course. I am representing your company now, remember?"

Erin stood and walked over to the door with Carson. For some reason she wasn’t ready for Carson to leave and searched for a more personal topic to get the other woman to stay for a moment longer.

"My father called earlier. He really enjoyed meeting you."

Carson looked down at Erin and smiled. They had stopped just before the closed door and were well within each other’s personal space. She could see the golden flecks in Erin’s blue eyes and resisted the urge to take Erin into her arms.

"I enjoyed meeting him as well. He seems to be a very caring man. It’s no wonder the two of you are so close. Perhaps when the weather warms up we could all go fishing together?"

The words were said gently and while Carson referred to a story Erin had told her, the silent message was about something else altogether. The sexual tension was palpable and the look in Carson’s eyes suggestive. Erin suddenly wondered if Carson was going to kiss her and realized that she had unknowingly leaned into the anticipated contact. Then Carson took a deep breath and closed her eyes briefly to break the spell.

"I have to go before I do something that you’ll regret."

Carson’s voice was lower than Erin had heard from her before, a testament to how deeply she was affected by Erin’s proximity.

Erin swallowed and said, "I think that’s a good idea."

Carson left quickly and it wasn’t until after the door was closed that Erin realized what she had said. Carson said she had to leave before she did something that Erin would regret. Obviously it wouldn’t have bothered Carson in the slightest to kiss her while they were both at work. For the first time Erin wished she didn’t have such strict ideas about proper office behavior. Sighing deeply, she turned away from the door to get some work done before the meeting.

Thirty minutes later and familiar with the details of Delphi Technologies’ newest contract Erin walked into the conference room a few minutes before the meeting with Colonel Anderson was to begin. Per her instructions pitchers of ice water and glassware already sat on the table. Carson and Jay walked in a moment later and for an instant the room seemed to narrow down to the blue of Carson’s eyes. Then Jay broke the spell by thrusting her hand forward in greeting.

"Hi, it’s good to see you again."

As usual Erin grinned in automatic response to Jay’s enthusiasm. She took the other woman’s hand and said, "Ms. Parker, I’m glad you could join us."

Erin was thrilled that Carson had someone she could bring along if only for moral support, but it was the silver glint from Jay’s wrist that caught her attention.

"Nice watch."

"Thanks. Carson gave it to me for Christmas." Jay flashed her friend a smile and then held the watch up so that Erin could see it properly. Erin was astonished to see that it was a Rolex and startled by the unpleasant sensation that started in the pit of her stomach. It was an awfully expensive gift between friends and made Erin wonder.

"It’s beautiful," she said with difficulty. "Carson has good taste."

"Yeah, I was really surprised when Carson gave it to me."

Movement near the doorway interrupted the conversation and Erin looked over to see two men in black three-piece suits walk in. The man in front was near Carson’s height with dark hair that had just started to gray at the temples. His swarthy complexion said that he spent a great deal of time outdoors, and the lines on his slightly bored features belied his age. The man behind him was equally well dressed, but much younger. Erin judged him to be in his early thirties. He followed two steps behind the other man that Erin guessed to be Colonel Anderson and carried a clipboard. Apparently the aide had an aide.

Anderson walked up to the table and stood at what Erin assumed was supposed to be an intimidating stance and glared briefly around the room. His eyes passed over Carson and Jay negligently before they rested briefly on Erin.

"Colonel Anderson, this is my attorney Erin Donovan," Carson said politely.

Although her tones were courteous Erin could detect that Carson felt a little uncomfortable with the man, and she could see why. As an attorney she had learned to read people quickly. This man hadn’t even opened his mouth yet, and she didn’t like him.

"Ladies, I suggest we begin. I have another meeting in an hour and I’d like to get this over quickly."

Erin felt her hackles rise. So, pompous, and arrogant, she thought.

"Have a seat, Colonel," Erin said in her best diplomatic tone.

Anderson looked as if he would resist and Erin wondered if he had expected just to walk in and be handed the signed documents. Reluctantly, the man sat and sent his companion a harsh look. The other man flinched and reached for the pitcher of water. He poured the liquid and sat the glass in front of his superior. Erin noticed that Anderson hadn’t even bothered to introduce the other man.

"I’m sorry. What did you say your name was?"

The aid opened his mouth to answer and was interrupted by Anderson. "He didn’t. I’ll get right down to it. This contract, as it is currently written is unacceptable."

From the corner of her eye Erin noticed Carson’s expression tighten. Now she understood what was so intimidating about the man, and why Carson had initially been reluctant to bring the details of the contract to her attention. No doubt Anderson had somehow convinced Carson that the Top Secret details couldn’t be seen by anyone else. The fact that he had taken one look around the room and then made such a pronouncement led her to believe that he expected to run right over Erin as well as Carson. Was he just a sexist pig who didn’t expect a woman to stand up to him, or did he conduct all of his business in the same crude fashion?

Jay was the first one to respond before Carson could silence her with a touch on the forearm. "What? It took us a month to hash out the details…"

She looked over at Carson when the blonde touched her arm, and quieted when she saw the slight shake of Carson’s head. Jay gritted her teeth and cast a ferocious look over at Erin. Carson must have told her before hand that since Erin was their attorney she was the one expected to speak for them. She had needed the brief contact on her arm to remind her of that, and Erin smoothly moved to fill in the silence.

"Colonel Anderson, I have gone over the details of the contract extensively. As Ms. Tierney’s attorney I’m sure you understand that any information in those documents has complete client/attorney confidentiality. The details seem very straight forward so could you tell us exactly what you find unacceptable?"

"The whole thing!" he said as though it should be apparent. "As the contract is currently outlined military scientists would be precluded from any alterations to the programs. Given the state of international affairs the military must be given complete autonomy to upgrade the algorithms where needed to meet defensive conditions should we encounter foreign threats."

It took Erin a second to work through that one, and again she thought the Colonel spoke like he did to convince everyone he was smarter than he really was.

"What you’re saying is that you want Carson to turn over the patent to the software to the government."

"That is what I just said."

Erin didn’t like being talked to like she was stupid and started to get angry. She hid it well as she looked over at Carson to gauge her reaction. Carson looked horrified and Erin understood why. The software was supposed to help encrypt government communications to keep more sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.

That also took into account the need for secrecy should the United States be drawn into an international conflict. If that software were simply turned over for the military to alter at will it could be used for aggressive purposes as well. From what Erin understood the software was advanced enough that the U. S. military could fool foreign missiles into attacking their own countries.

She didn’t like to think that her own government would become involved in such a thing, but she would be naïve to think it wasn’t a possibility. That was something she considered ‘unacceptable’.

"Colonel, I’m sorry but Delphi Technologies has the patent on this software. They will freely lease it to the government, but absolutely will not simply hand it to you. I have been involved with defense contracts many times and am fully aware of proper procedures. Perhaps you should have familiarized yourself with those procedures as well before this meeting because I would never ask a client to sign away her rights in the manner you’ve just suggested."

Anderson smiled and Erin got the impression of a snake about to strike. "That’s fine. You don’t have to give up anything. I’m sure our scientists will be able to break down the code without your input."

Erin couldn’t believe her ears. Had Anderson done any research on cryptanalysis before this meeting?

"Colonel Anderson, do you understand how cryptanalysis works?"

"Sure. It’s just a string of numbers that translate into words."

Erin stared aghast at the man and for a moment had trouble even trying to formulate a reply to his ignorance. Carson wasn’t quite so speechless and immediately jumped into the discussion.

"We are not talking about Morse code, which by the way was developed using the original method of steganography called the Bacon cipher where a message was concealed in the presentation of text. To encode a message then each letter of text was replaced by a group of five letters using ‘a’ and ‘b’. Because any message of the right length could be used to carry the encoding, the secret message was effectively hidden in plain sight.

Things have become much more complex since then. Cryptanalysis has changed drastically through history through machines like Enigma in World War II to computer-based schemes of the present. It is no longer possible to have unlimited success in code breaking and it involves solving the developer’s digital signature. Our contract gives the government authorization to utilize the process, but you will not be able to provide authentication to change any of the data without that digital signature."

Anderson was flabbergasted that they wouldn’t be able to take the code apart on their own. He sputtered angrily for a moment and then declared, "But we won’t be able to make any adjustments if a conflict should break out. What if an enemy is able to hack into the system? The military must have the capacity to alter the parameters of the software should it become necessary."

Erin took over again at that point. "Delphi Technologies will make any adjustments that become necessary."

"And if those adjustments need to be made in the middle of the night what then? Will one of the programmers be on call twenty four hours a day for the next ten years?" Anderson asked sarcastically.

"If necessary," Erin assured him in a steely voice.

"Well, it would appear that we have wasted our time." Colonel Anderson stood up slowly and seemed to be waiting for something. With a flash of insight Erin realized he was trying to intimidate them into giving him what he wanted.

Erin also stood and said calmly, "Good luck. I assume you people came to Delphi Technologies because they are the best at what they do. If you want to settle for second best that’s your decision, but no one worth their salt is going to simply hand over a patent. Now if you’ll excuse us, I’m sure we’ll have better luck negotiating with the British for Ms. Tierney’s software."

Anderson pinned Carson with a scathing look and asked, "The British? Does she always speak for you, or don’t you have any say in this?"

Carson and Jay stood up and Carson said, "Why else would I employ an attorney if not to listen to her counsel?"

Erin started toward the door with Jay and Carson close behind her. When she passed Colonel Anderson she stopped briefly and told him, "When you want to make a reasonable offer feel free to contact us."

They started to leave, but Jay had to have one final shot at the man. "Better hurry or you’ll be late for your next meeting."

Silently the three walked back toward Erin’s office, but she could feel the fumes coming off of Jay. When they neared the elevator Jay said she was going to go get some coffee and blow off a little steam before she met Carson back upstairs. Before she left Jay turned to see that Colonel Anderson and his aid were still in the conference room. No doubt the other man was getting an earful, and she felt sorry for the aid.

"I didn’t know the British were interested in the software," Jay said quietly.

"Neither did I," Erin returned mischievously. She cast a look down the hall over Jay’s shoulder and added in a low voice, "I just sense that this man is trying to further his career, and I don’t get paid for that."

They chuckled quietly together then Jay said to Carson, "You didn’t tell me she was this clever."

The elevator doors opened and Jay stepped onto the lift. She looked at Erin appreciatively and waved before the doors closed and Erin thought she had given the other woman a whole new insight to her character.

Carson and Erin walked through the outer office and into her private sanctuary without comment. There were a few things they both wanted to talk about concerning the contract, but neither cared to be overheard.

After Erin closed her door she said softly, "That went well."

Carson frowned and admitted, "I didn’t expect this. I knew there was something Colonel Anderson was thinking during our last meeting, but I never thought he would expect me to hand over the patent."

Erin settled behind her desk while Carson sat in the visitor’s chair. "Carson, I know this contract is important to you but it’s not worth handing the digital signature over. You know better than anyone how this software could be used in the wrong hands."

"The contract is worth a lot of money," Carson admitted slowly, "but it’s not a money issue. It’s the credibility and reputation for producing encryption software for the government that is more important to my company."

Before Erin could respond Josette buzzed her from the outer office.

"Colonel Anderson is out here to see you, Ms. Donovan. He insists that it’s quite important."

Erin simply raised an eyebrow at Carson before she replied. "Send him in."

A few seconds later Colonel Anderson entered the room and quietly closed the door. A small frown creased his brows and Erin thought he looked worried. Maybe his superiors had ordered him not to return without that contract and he was worried to have blown it. His next words seemed to confirm Erin’s suspicions.

"Ladies, I believe we may have gotten off on the wrong foot."

Carson had her back to the Colonel so he couldn’t see her expression, but Erin could clearly see the brief look of amusement on her face.

"Can we come to an agreement?"

Erin knew when she was about to win a major victory for a client and felt the familiar surge of exhilaration flood through her, but she carefully kept her expression neutral. She found it interesting that although he was trying to smooth things out he was still a swaggering ass.

"You could have had an agreement fifteen minutes ago. I’m sorry, Colonel, but you know our conditions. You can either agree with them or take your business elsewhere." Erin stood to her own meager height and unflinchingly met his gaze. She was gratified to watch him shift uncomfortably.

"We are talking about millions of dollars. Shouldn’t we have the right to be able to make changes if we want?"

"To expect anyone to hand over their patent is rather naïve, Colonel. Don’t you think?"

For a moment it looked like he was about to argue again. Finally he huffed and said, "You know we need the contract."

"Yes, and its here, but we’re not changing them."

"Fine. I’ll sign them."

Erin pressed the button on her intercom and called Josette into the office. "Josette, we need a witness for the contract."

The secretary merely nodded and waited quietly for the colonel to sign where Erin indicated he should on the contract. As a legal secretary Josette was used to this, and often acted as a witness for her employer.

Erin glanced up at Anderson’s smarmy features while he signed and thought if he could have bulldozed them into doing things his way he would have. She wasn’t fooled for a second. She believed that no matter what happened he had been ordered to procure the agreement. Still, it was the end result that counted and Carson really wanted this contract to help strengthen her company’s reputation. After the contract was signed they wouldn’t have to deal with the pompous man again.

Erin opened the folder and pushed the documents toward the colonel. Wordlessly he signed everywhere that she indicated and then laid the pen on the desk. He waited while Carson signed where necessary. Then Josette signed as a witness and Colonel Anderson was given a copy of the documents.

"The contract will go into effect on the first of January," Erin told him needlessly, but she just couldn’t resist the urge to needle him a little.

Josette walked over to the door with the colonel and opened the door. She paused to wait for the man when Anderson turned to the businesswomen and spoke again. "Ms. Donovan, Ms. Tierney. Captain Davis, my aid, will be in touch with you next week to arrange the installation."

"Thank you, Colonel. Oh, and Colonel? Any other dealings with Ms. Tierney will go through me."

The colonel merely looked at Erin before he dipped his head and walked out with Josette right behind him.

For a moment there was stunned silence and then both women burst into relieved laughter.

"I can’t believe it!" Carson exclaimed. "He actually signed it."

Carson was deeply impressed by how Erin had handled the insufferable man and had gained a new appreciation for her replacement attorney. It was no wonder Erin’s clients insisted that she was the only one to handle their business affairs. Erin was even more protective her client’s interests than Carson had realized.

"I knew he’d be back," Erin assured her. "How about in celebration I buy you a coffee?"

Carson nodded and followed Erin through the back entrance into the break room. Carson could smell a fresh pot of coffee when they walked through the door, but was a little surprised to see Erin’s secretary staring dumbfounded at the small television mounted on the wall. Erin was similarly curious about Josette’s presence and they both walked over to see what had her so captivated.

A breaking news story was being aired and Carson could see what looked like a major structural fire in the background. Then the reporter spoke and Carson suddenly forgot about contracts, coffee or celebrations.

The meeting with Colonel Anderson went much longer than Carson expected. As a result she was left to fend for herself as far as lunch was concerned. Erin needed to make up for lost time after that encounter and had a great deal of work to get finished before she could quit for the day. Jay and Mike were deeply involved with getting the security systems in place on the tenth floor and Jeremy was working on quarterly reports for Delphi Technologies. Carson could have gotten involved with installing the security interface, but she was busy with a new program of her own and didn’t like her attention divided between projects.

When she finally decided she couldn’t stand another minute without something to eat or throwing up Carson decided to go to lunch by herself.

Carson pulled her jacket closer around her as she stepped out of the Holcomb Building and onto the front walk. The wind was blowing out of the north and she tucked her chin into her overcoat. With her hands deep in her pockets she ignored the sting of tears that the icy breeze caused and strode down the block toward a small café.

The Chicago Department of Transportation was out in full force, and orange cones blocked off part of one roadway lane. Men in insulated orange jumpsuits worked to fill potholes, shoveling asphalt while some one else came along and tamped it down into the holes. During the breaks in winter storms the repairs were only meant to be temporary, but would be filled properly when warmer weather arrived. Carson wrinkled her nose against the bitter stench of melted tar.

She wasn’t really paying attention to the workers and was more intent on getting to the café and out of the wind. One of the workers had his back to her as he shoveled lose asphalt into a pothole near the curb. He backed up just as Carson walked by him and they collided. Carson bounced off the man’s back and slipped on the icy walk. She would have fallen into the frozen grass if he hadn’t grabbed her arm at the last minute to help steady her.

"Thank you," Carson said a little breathlessly and looked up into the man’s face. An orange muffler covered his features and a hood was pulled over his head for warmth. Carson noticed he had dark brown eyes, and they seemed filled with an expression of concern.

The transit worker was a big man and towered over Carson. She had to crane her head back to look into his dark eyes. Then she glanced down where his hand was curled around her upper arm. His hand easily circled her bicep until his fingers met. Instead of answering the worker dipped his head toward her in a courteous manner and then released her before he turned back to his work.

The café was only half a block away and Carson concentrated on reaching it without smashing into anyone else. The overheated air inside the café felt like a vacation in the tropics after exposure to the blustery day and Carson sighed in relief. She blinked as she adjusted to the change in temperature and then headed for an empty booth in the corner. She sat near a large window to the side to try and balance the stifling heat inside the building with the cold from outside. While she waited for a server Carson idly looked out the window at the transit workers. The man who had steadied her against a fall systematically shoveled the road fill and worked his way down the block toward the café.

"Can I get you something, honey?"

Carson looked up at her red haired waitress, and tried to ignore the way the woman popped her chewing gum. "Coffee, please. Do you have a menu?"

The waitress scribbled something on her order pad and then said, "Sure." She whipped out a paper menu from her apron and plopped it onto the table before she left to get Carson’s coffee. The menu was spotted with food stains and grease and Carson held it carefully by the edges.

After Carson placed her order for a club sandwich she sipped her coffee. She always carried a small notebook in her pocket and started to work on some calculations while she waited for her food. Numbers and symbols flowed from her with ease and in minutes the pad was filled with impossibly long equations. She barely noticed when her sandwich was dropped off, but by rote Carson picked up one of the sections and took a bite while she continued to scribble.

She had finished the sandwich and held a crumpled napkin in her right fist as she concentrated on adding to her equations when a long shadow fell across her table. Annoyed with the inconsiderate person who interrupted her work Carson looked up with a sharp comment on her tongue. It froze on her lips when she recognized Colonel Anderson standing next to her. What could he possibly want?

"Colonel Anderson, you’re blocking my light."

The boardroom session was still fresh in Carson’s mind and she didn’t feel like being polite. Like Erin she felt Colonel Anderson would do anything, ethical or not, to get exactly what he wanted.

"Ms. Tierney. Do you mind if I join you?"

Anderson didn’t wait for an answer but plopped down in the seat across from her. The waitress saw him from across the café and was almost to them when he practically shouted that he would have coffee.

Carson frowned. There were very few people she interacted with on a personal level, and fewer clients she would deal with one on one. That was one of the many details Jay took on so Carson wouldn’t have to. For this man to so casually invite himself to her lunch was annoying to say the least.

"Colonel Anderson, I’m very busy and as my attorney has stated anything you have to say you may discuss with her."

The officer ignored the caustic remark and craned his neck sideways to read Carson’s pad. "Yeah, that looks very … involved. I’m sure its all very mind consuming."

Carson resisted the urge to snort at him. Anderson didn’t have a clue what her equations meant.

"What do you want?"

Anderson looked up at Carson and stifled a bored yawn. The waitress dropped off the coffee and Anderson sipped slowly while Carson fumed. Carson had just decided she had enough and was going to leave when he finally broke the silence.

"I have a proposal for you."

"As I have said, my attorney…"

"Now hear me out," Anderson said and held up a hand to silence her. "I didn’t bring this up with your attorney because I didn’t want your decision to be influenced by anything she might say."

"It will be influenced anyway since what ever you have to say I shall repeat to her."

Anderson acted like he was carefully weighing her words, but Carson had the feeling it was all an act. Did this man even know how to be sincere?

"That’s your choice, but please hear what I have to say first."

Carson settled back in her chair and quietly indicated for him to continue. She had to admit to a certain amount of curiosity. Just the fact that Anderson was here without his aid told her he was up to something that might not be completely above board.

"The government has been trying for years to crack Russian and Chinese encryption. From what we have been able to determine you would be our best choice to lead a research team to do exactly that. Of course you would have to undergo a rigorous screening process, but after that you would be given top level clearance and all of the resources you need would be at your disposal."

Carson felt like she had just fallen into an episode of the Twilight Zone. She wasn’t a government spy, and all of this sounded completely outrageous not to mention out of the blue.

"And my own company?"

"You would continue to operate Delphi Technologies. After all we want to keep up appearances. The contract we have now would remain in effect, at least on paper, but you understand that certain…currency would be required from your end."

"In other words I would have to give up the digital signature so that government scientists could crack my cipher?"

Anderson smiled, but there was little warmth in the expression. "In so many words."

Carson felt anger rise over her like a tide. Her hands were shaking when she slipped the notepad into her pocket and laid a bill on the table for her lunch. Slowly she stood up and gritted her teeth in an effort not to throttle the man who sat so smugly across from her.

"And to show my good faith I would have to relinquish the patent first?" Carson guessed.

"Of course."

"Colonel Anderson we already have a contract, and I don’t intend to alter the nature of our affiliation. In truth, the more I get to know you the more I am sorry to have signed the initial deal at all. Had I known all of this in advance I would not have developed the Tierney Cipher. Nor do I believe that you are really here to offer me a job as a government spy. I intend to let my attorney know everything you have said to me and I am sure she will be in touch."

Calmly Anderson reached into a pocket and then passed a card across the table to her. "This is where you can reach me should you change your mind, and regardless what your attorney has to say we do have a contract. You don’t have to like me, Ms. Tierney, but the contract is unbreakable."

When Carson didn’t take the card Anderson slipped it into the front pocket of her overcoat. He also stood and dropped a few coins onto the table for his coffee and then turned to leave. Suddenly Carson wondered something and simply had to ask.

"Anderson, is there really research team to crack Russian and Chinese cryptology?"

He looked over her shoulder at her and said, "Maybe. But one thing you should know; if Ray Eldridge were still your attorney you would have given up the digital signature." Then he left.

From his answer Carson knew that any such team was a figment of his imagination. Anderson had been trying once again to trick her into giving up the key to her algorithm. The remark about Eldridge was troublesome as well. What was Anderson trying to imply? Did he mean that the elder attorney was not as good as Erin or that he was on the government’s side? Carson had never been comfortable with Ray, but she didn’t think he was underhanded.

She had a lot to speak with Erin about, and no matter what happened she would not meet with Anderson again. The man could not be trusted.

As much as Carson wanted to talk with Erin now it just wasn’t possible. Erin had other clients and Carson could hardly barge in every time a thought or problem occurred. Reluctant to intrude on Erin’s work schedule Carson decided to find out how her own people were doing.

Carson didn’t see any signs of the C.D.O.T. workers as she walked quickly back to the Holcomb Building and decided they must have quit for the day. She could hardly blame them since the temperature seemed to have dropped five degrees while she ate lunch. She wasn’t aware of another storm coming in but the drop in temperature could have more to do with the time of day than an impending blow.

Few people were around during the pre-New Year’s week and Carson didn’t need to wait for an elevator to the tenth floor. She stood patiently while the lift carried her to Delphi Technologies’ floor and thought again of Erin. The woman was absolutely amazing. In her mind Carson could see the blue-gray eyes flash as Erin dealt with the annoying Colonel Anderson and felt a shudder travel through her. She inhaled quietly in surprise when she realized that she was aroused just thinking about Erin’s forcefulness, and studiously ignored the other two people on the elevator.

Honestly, Carson thought. One night of lovemaking and I can’t keep my mind off her!

Of course it was more than that. What Carson felt for Erin involved a lot more than just the physical even if she couldn’t deny the explosive heat of desire every time the woman invaded her thoughts. Erin was everything Carson could ever have dreamed of. She was forceful, protective, commanding and shrewd as an attorney yet as a lover Erin was tender, passionate, and consummately skilled. Just one look into those stormy eyes, or a crooked smile at just the right time could make Carson melt.

Throughout the day she found herself reliving memories of last night in Erin’s arms and counting the minutes until they were alone together again.

The elevator doors opened onto the tenth floor and roused Carson from her pleasant thoughts. She stepped out into the hall just in time to see Jay disappear into the lab, and wondered if they were finished with the security equipment. She walked toward the lab and was just about to round the corner into the room. Jay chose that same moment to walk back out of the lab and the women almost ran smack into each other.

"Whoa," Jay said and put her hands up automatically to grasp Carson’s shoulders. She released her an instant later and asked, "Where are you off to in such a hurry?"

"I just wanted to see if you were finished with the security systems yet. Do you need any help?"

"Na, we’re done. It didn’t take long. Besides, if you had helped us we’d still be working on it."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Carson was slightly stung by the implied insult and wondered if Jay suddenly thought her incompetent.

"It’s just that you’re so detail oriented that every line would have to be checked individually, and every string of code gone through with a fine tooth comb before you plugged it in."

"And you didn’t do that?"

"What for? Plug it in and if it works we’re happy."

Carson opened her mouth to respond, hesitated, and then closed it again. There was no way that Jay was serious. She might not spend as much time as Carson would in checking the systems, but she was no fool. Perfectly accustomed to Jay’s casual approach by now, Carson simply accepted that her best friend had taken care of the assignment and was satisfied with the results.

"Okay then. How about you get the guys together? I’d like to have our quarterly meeting in our new boardroom."

"Wow, we actually have a boardroom now. It’s hard to believe after all this time."

For six years the two ran Delphi Technologies out of a warehouse in a bad neighborhood. The sight of the homeless and prostitutes looking for their next trick was a common occurrence for the daily trek to work, and suddenly all of that had changed. Carson was just as awed as Jay with their new environment, and couldn’t help the proud smirk that lifted the corners of her mouth.

"Pretty great, isn’t it?"

"You bet it is, boss." Jay cleared the sudden lump out of her throat and said, "I’ll get the guys."

Jay never called her boss unless she was deeply affected by something. It was such a rarity that whenever she did Carson felt wonderful that she could make her friend so happy. Jay was truly like the sister she never had, but in a strange way she was even closer than family. At least, she was closer than any family Carson ever knew.

Carson went by her office to drop off her overcoat. There weren’t any messages from Erin so she assumed the other woman was still busy. No doubt Erin skipped lunch altogether. Carson wondered how she could get Erin to leave work early. Maybe she would invite her to dinner. With thoughts of laughing dark blue eyes dancing in her head Carson grabbed a cup of coffee and headed off to the conference room.

She was the last to arrive and took a moment to look around the table at her intimate circle of friends. Jay took the seat next to where Carson would be while Jeremy sat next to her and Mike sat on the other side of Carson’s place. All of them looked a little smug and she understood completely since she felt that way, too. They had reason to be proud. All of them had been with her since the beginning, and gone through hard times to get an unknown, untried company on its feet from the ground floor.

Not only were they all exceptional computer specialists, but they also each possessed a unique talent that allowed Delphi Technologies to operate with a minimum of employees. Jay Parker was an idea woman, and often came up with what Carson considered to be cockamamie schemes. Invariably Carson would give in to the woman, and the idea would become a feather in Delphi’s cap. Jay could see the finished product, while Carson was the one to concentrate on the process.

Jeremy Parks served as Delphi’s financial director, and was as gifted with money management and investment banking as he was security protocols. Jeremy was also a good friend, although he was little on the shy side and didn’t usually have a lot to say unless he was called on.

Then there was Mike. Dear Michael Ackerman, gifted mathematician and lover of all things Albert Einstein. Logic was Mike’s friend, and if the problem couldn’t be solved through scientific reasoning then it didn’t need solved at all. He wasn’t much for great leaps of intuition, but once a goal was set would stop at nothing to achieve it.

One thing all of them shared was unwavering trust in their employer. Carson thought that in a way each one of them might be a little demented as well. Who in their right mind would have trusted a twenty-year-old girl with no practical experience and back her completely to get her company off the ground? The fact that Delphi Technologies was listed in the top five computer software research companies in United States was a testament to their devotion and willingness to work impossibly long hours.

"Okay," Carson said as she settled down in her chair. She needed to blink back some moisture in her eyes before she finally continued. "Jeremy, why don’t you get us started?"

Jeremy nodded his head and his shoulder length brown hair slipped forward into his face. He had a stack of printed quarterly financial reports that he passed around, and Carson saw there were at least a dozen more that he kept in reserve, at least one of which he would be required to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

With one hand he absently pushed the errant strands away before he spoke. "This is a quarterly meeting, but since it’s the end of the year I thought I might as well get that report out of the way as well. Figures show Delphi Technologies not only to be in the black, but we show a twelve percent profit over last year’s earnings."

"Is that even with us moving into Holcomb?" Jay asked playfully.

Everyone laughed but there was an edge of seriousness to the question. For years Carson strenuously argued that they simply couldn’t afford to move to a better location. It was only after the company grew to the point where there was no other choice that she agreed to relocate.

"I told you we should have done this sooner," Jeremy said by way of answer. "The move into the Holcomb Building didn’t affect our earnings one iota. From the rumors I’m hearing our standing as a company to be reckoned with has gone up as a direct result of the move."

Jeremy’s gossip circle usually included investors from Wall Street, and could usually be heavily relied on.

"How is that possible?" Carson wondered aloud. "Why would a simple move affect our reputation?"

"It’s a matter of appearance," Mike answered, speaking for the first time. "It’s a good thing to worry about Delphi’s reputation for quality software and research development, but image is just as important. The way people see it, the better the business location the better the product. It doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way it is."

"Yeah, look at Microsoft. Do you think that if they operated out of a rundown shack they would half the amount of success they do?" Jay argued. "Even if they put out the same exact product no one would want to deal with them."

Carson nodded her head slowly. She could accept that. It was the same reason she drove a Lexus instead of an old Chevy pickup with mismatched tires. Appearance was everything.

"Anything else?" she redirected to Jeremy.

Jeremy shifted in his seat and looked suddenly uncomfortable. Clearly there was something else, but Carson didn’t know if she wanted to hear it.

"Um, it’s this business with the Tierney Cipher?"

"The cipher? I don’t really see what that has to do with our finances."

"Well, it doesn’t," Jeremy said. "At least not directly."

"But?"

"I’m concerned that Delphi is getting into government contracting. While it is a huge step for the company as a whole and puts us on solid ground reputation-wise I’m worried that we’ll forget about research and development for civilian use and move into strictly military applications."

"That is not going to happen. I fully intend that the contract we signed with Colonel Anderson today will be the last time Delphi Technologies agrees to anything related to the military."

"Boy, you can say that again," Jay interjected. Just the thought of Anderson made Jay look like she had sucked on a lemon. "What a pri…"

"Moving on. Mike, anything from the software side of the house?"

Mike sat up a little straighter and looked fully interested for the first time since the meeting started. Carson was used to his distracted façade, and thought that he was probably working on algorithms in his head most of the time.

"Jay came up with a new idea this morning, and I think it would be good for Delphi’s diversity. She thought if we could design and patent a personal computer game it would help balance out this business with the cipher."

Carson looked curiously over at Jay. Amused, she quirked her brow and asked, "You want to get into gaming? What happened to Delphi Technologies being a name associated with serious computer software research?"

"We already are," Jay snapped back readily. Obviously she was already prepared for Carson’s arguments and launched into defense of her idea. "Companies already know that we can be trusted for ensuring their systems are hacker-proof, and with this move we’ve proved that our reputation for success can stand on its own. Now we need to come up something that will make us a house-hold name."

"It’s a good idea," Jeremy chimed in. "Flexibility is what makes a company great, and we have to able to adapt to the market. Computer gaming is a high interest subject with so many people using computers these days."

Carson saw the flaw in their arguments and readily pointed them out. "There are only four of us that operate this company. It’s an intimate operation fully capable of the software research that we do, but gaming is another industry altogether. As talented as this group is none of us are graphics designers. When you’re talking about games things get a lot more complex very quickly."

"You’re right," Mike said. "We’d need someone, or several someones, who can not only design graphics, but maintain continuity throughout a game, sketch out gaming levels, not to mention technical support. Of course, I would be happy to oversee that end of the software development with Jay acting as consultant."

Jay took over at the mention of her name. "So we have to employ some more people? You can afford it, the company can afford it, and think of the revenue computer games would generate."

"Okay, okay. I’ll think about it."

Secretly Carson thought it was a great idea, but she had to work through things in her head before she gave the final approval. A rashly thought out idea quickly implemented could have a devastating effect if it wasn’t done properly. Now Carson had another bombshell she wanted to drop on her people.

"Yesterday I got a phone call from Lord Weatherby…"

"Lord?" Jay asked incredulously.

"…from Britain. He’s getting ready to start a commodities business and wants us to design the software for his company. I think it’s a great idea and I’ve already tentatively accepted the job. This would be a difficult assignment for us since whatever we come up with has to be developed to fit the British monetary system and government regulatory system. "I like it," Michael voted. "It’s a great way to start getting us known in other countries."

Jeremy sat back in his chair and let out a huge breath while he stared at the table. For a moment he sat there in what Carson thought was stunned silence.

"Jeremy? Is something wrong?"

"I have to admit I feel a little overwhelmed. That’s great news. After everything that’s happened in the last few months, and now this, I can’t help but feel that it’s just the tip of the iceberg. I think Delphi Technologies is about to break wide open, and from an accounting point of view I think we’re at the point where we need a general counsel."

"You really think we’re at that point?"

"Yeah. The way we’re going Delphi is going to grow quickly. We may outgrow Holcomb sooner than you think, and we’re going to need someone to watch our corporate backsides that can dedicate themselves solely to our interests."

Immediate thoughts of Erin crowded Carson’s head. There was no one Carson would rather have as committed counsel than Erin Donovan, but would the attorney agree to such a thing? Erin would be required to give up her partnership in her firm to make such a move, and Carson just didn’t know if she was ready for that. Erin loved being a corporate attorney, but would she be happy if she moved away from where she was now?

Jay seemed to read her mind and said, "I was really impressed with Ms. Donovan and how she handled Colonel Anderson. She seems a lot more defensive of her client’s interests than that Eldridge guy. Do you think she might be interested in the job?"

"I don’t know," Carson said softly.

"I know, I know. You have to think about it."

They talked at great length about the success of Delphi over the last year, and discussed various ideas on what kind of computer game to develop. Jay wanted it to be a simple seek and find game with different levels of difficulty, but Carson thought something a little more challenging would be better. In the end Jeremy and Mike agreed with Carson. They thought something along the lines of a haunted mansion with different puzzles to unlock each room would be better. Jay finally relented in the name of democracy and with nothing really decided suggested it was time to bring the meeting to a close.

"On that note why don’t we wrap up here? It’s almost four and I think we should celebrate."

Everyone grinned and looked over at Jay after her statement, but it was Carson who asked, "Exactly what did you have in mind?"

"Oh, nothing much. How about some drinks and snacks at the pub you like so much? First round is on me."

Carson nodded in full agreement. Delphi had done very well for itself and looked like it was about to launch to the top of the Fortune 500 list. They had earned the right to celebrate.

"All right. I’ll meet you guys at Grace O’Malley’s in twenty minutes."

Excited and with a lot to think about Carson needed a few minutes to herself. She sat at her desk and simply looked around her new office with details from the meeting fresh in her mind. When she started Delphi she never dreamed it would rise to this level. Her company was on firm footing, and there was an incredible new love in her life. Could things possibly get any better?

Carson reached over and grabbed the phone. She punched in the number to Erin’s private line and listened as it was answered on the second ring.

"Erin Donovan,"

"Hi," she said softly. "It’s me. Can you talk?"

"I have a few minutes. Why do you sound so happy, actually euphoric is probably a better word."

"Oh, I just came from the quarterly meeting with my people."

"I take it you had a good meeting?"

Carson hesitated briefly before she confirmed, "You could say that. I’d like to fill you in on the details, but we’re all knocking off a little early to celebrate. Any chance you could join us at Grace O’Malley’s?"

"I would love to, but I still have a lot to get finished here. I’ve got a seminar coming up at the end of January for the Bar Association, and I haven’t even started writing my presentation yet."

"You’re going to be one of the speakers?"

Carson was truly impressed that Erin would be asked to speak at the seminar, but when the other woman responded she didn’t sound like it was that big a deal.

"Unfortunately, yes. I got tagged this year to update everyone on the changes in corporate tax law, but it sounds like you got some really great news and I want to hear all about it. Maybe later?"

Erin sounded like she was sincerely regretted the necessity to work, and Carson was also disappointed. Realistically Carson knew Erin had other concerns besides what was happening with Delphi Technologies, and decided not to press the issue. It was probably better this way since Carson still needed to think about how to approach Erin on the general counsel issue.

"Definitely. I’ll call you when I get home if it’s not too late."

"I look forward to it."

Carson was just about to hang up when Erin spoke again in a softer voice. "Carson? I really am sorry that I can’t join you."

"Me too. I’ll talk to you later."

"Bye."

Carson dreamily hung up the phone and with Erin’s gravelly tones in her head picked up her overcoat and purse. She made sure all the lights were out, and then carefully set the alarm in the lab since she was the last one out. She felt like she could conquer the world as she stepped onto the lift that would take her to the parking garage. Just before the doors closed she heard Mike shout down the hall to hold the elevator.

"I thought I was the last one here," she said as he hustled onto the lift.

"I got a last minute call. Jay and Jeremy already left. She suggested I could get a ride with you."

Mike usually took public transportation and Carson assumed that’s what he intended to do when they were ready to leave the pub. Although she didn’t like to drink very much she knew her three friends were likely to overindulge a bit, and thought it a good idea that he wouldn’t be behind the wheel.

"No problem."

A few minutes later the drove out from under the parking garage and pulled smoothly into traffic. Carson drove slowly on the slippery streets and kept her eyes on the road, but Mike didn’t seem overly concerned about her abilities.

"Do you really think Delphi is about to take off like Jeremy suggests?"

"I don’t know," Carson answered truthfully. "In a way it’s a little scary. Of course I always hoped the company would do well, but I never expected it to happen so quickly. It’s like I can see us progressing in leaps and bounds, but at the same time I’m in denial."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Who would have thought in six years we’d be one of the major companies in the business."

Carson stopped for a red light, and noticed Mike glance down at the gauges on the Lexus. When the light changed and she drove forward he finally said, "It’s a good thing I decided to ride with you."

"Why is that?"

Mike looked into her eyes and said dryly, "So that when you run out of gas I can help push."

"Hey! It’ll make it."

The needle of the fuel gauge was well below the empty mark and even as Carson looked down the red light came on. Fortunately there was a gas station at the end of the block. Twenty minutes later and right on time, they drove into the lot of Grace O’Malley’s.

Jay and Jeremy had chosen a booth in the back and Carson could see they were already started on the second round.

"Hey you two. It’s about time you got here."

"Carson tried to run us out of gas."

"I did not!"

"Hey, barmaid! A round for my friends," Jay shouted.

"Barmaid?" Carson asked under her breath as she scooted in next to her friend.

"She knows what I mean."

"And add a shot of tequila to that all around," Jeremy added to the waitress.

A young woman walked up to the table and set down the beer that Jay and Jeremy had already ordered. "Would you please stop calling me barmaid?"

The waitress sounded a little irritated as she walked away. Jeremy grinned and explained, "Jay’s been doing that since we got here."

Carson fought an answering grin since it wasn’t wise to encourage Jay when she got in this mood. Instead she asked, "So, what’s your idea for this game?"

Suddenly enthusiastic Jay leaned across the table on her elbows. Her dark eyes were lit with glee as she began to describe the general outline of the game she wanted to develop. "It would be something to tease the brain, but in a fun way."

"You mean like a puzzle game?"

"Yeah, I figured that would be one you might actually go with. I know what a waste of time you think most games are so I thought we might come up with something fun that would actually make people think."

"Okay, I’m intrigued. Tell me more."

Jeremy chimed in and said, "We thought we could design a game around a haunted hotel."

"Yeah, we’d call it ‘Ghost Hotel’."

"Ghost Hotel?" Carson asked a little startled. Her recent experiences in a huge building with an axe wielding murder flashed in her mind, and suddenly she wasn’t so sure this was a good idea.

"Well, it’ll turn out to be a hoax in the end if you like," Jay said, "but people are intrigued with the supernatural."

"People like you, maybe," Michael laughed.

"Keep it up, monkey boy."

The waitress walked up to drop off drinks and interrupted Jay’s threat against Michael. He was still chuckling as he downed half of the brew in one long swallow.

"Anyway," Jay continued with a sidelong glance at Michael. "There would be puzzles in each room, and you have to solve the puzzle before you can access another room. There could even be booby traps that go off if the puzzle isn’t solved in a certain amount of time.

"I don’t want any simulated death scenes in this game, Jay," Carson warned.

"Okay, what if there is just a time limit to solve the puzzle? If it isn’t solved in time the person just has to start that level over again."

"All right. Tell me more."

Jay and Jeremy spent some time describing the types of puzzles they wanted to include. Michael commented occasionally from a strictly engineering point of view but was content to sip his beer and listen to his friends.

During a break in the conversation Jay turned her head to find the waitress. The woman was halfway across the room serving other customers, but all heads turned their way when Jay bellowed out, "Hey, wench! We need another round when you get a minute."

"Honestly," Carson said in embarrassment. "Do you have to do that?"

Jay winked at her and said, "Just having a little fun. This is a celebration, remember?"

Carson thought it was far more likely that Jay was trying to get on the young waitress’ nerves. A few minutes later the waitress walked over to their table. "I think I preferred barmaid," she said sharply and set the drinks on the table.

She staked off while Jay tried to smother her laugh, but when Jay slid another beer in front of Carson she declined.

"I still have half a beer, and I’m pacing myself."

"Why?"

"Because I’m driving."

"So am I," Jay shrugged.

"I’ll take it."

Michael reached across the table and took Carson’s drink. He had already finished his first drink, and taken a healthy swig of the one that had just been dropped off. Obviously he didn’t intend to slow down any time soon, and Carson felt a twinge of sympathy for the headache he would surely have in the morning.

"You better not be late tomorrow," she warned him.

Jeremy chuckled but felt the need to bring the conversation back around to Carson’s previous comment. "Speaking of pacing yourself…what’s this I hear about our lady attorney? Are you pacing yourself with her?"

Carson’s blush must have answered the question for her. Jay burst out with a triumphant, "Ah ha! Finally! Some developments! Well, don’t keep us in the dark. How far has it gone, and why haven’t you told me about it yet? First base? Second?"

Carson wasn’t ready to delve into the details of her sexual affiliation with Erin. Even though she had never been closer to anyone as she was to these people, Carson felt it would somehow cheapen her experience with Erin if she spoke of it so casually. Instead she said in a carefully neutral voice, "I don’t kiss and tell."

Ever the quiet one, Michael suddenly whistled appreciatively. "Wow, home run!"

Carson’s face burned furiously as she looked anywhere but at the other three. Her beer became the subject of intense scrutiny as she stared into the bottom of the glass, and her ears rang with laughter from the others.

The mirth began to die down a little and Jeremy reached across to pat Carson on the hand. "Seriously, we love you, Carson. We’ve been together a long time, and we’re like family." He shrugged a little sloppily and Carson thought he was somewhat tipsy. "The truth is we’re all a little jealous."

"Hey, speak for yourself!" Michael said offended.

"Yeah, because your love life is so successful," Jay interjected. "What was her name, again? The Swedish masseuse…Rhonda?"

"Rhoda."

"As Swedish as my Aunt Tilly," Jeremy quipped before he turned back to Carson. "I have to admit I’m a little curious though. It’s not like you to get involved with someone you’re working with."

"Hah! It’s not like you to get involved at all. What’s so special about this woman that you just let down all your barriers at once?"

Carson didn’t know if she could answer Jay’s question, but she felt it important that she try. These three people meant everything to her and she wanted them to be pleased that she had found someone. She also wanted them to understand what Erin was to her, how very special she was.

"I don’t know if I can explain it," she answered honestly. "It’s more than the fire in her hair, or that incredible voice."

"Although that certainly doesn’t hurt."

Carson ignored Jay and reached for words to help the others understand.

"From the moment I saw her I knew there was something special about her. The first time she looked at me, really looked at me, I felt like everything else around us just …stopped. When she spoke all she said was ‘good morning’, but that voice went through me. Erin is strong when she needs to be, arrogant when I least expect her to be, and everything I could have ever have hoped for."

"You’re in love with her."

Jeremy’s voice was quiet, and even Jay didn’t have a sarcastic remark for once.

"I love her," Carson said simply.

Carson was exhausted when the evening finally came to an end. She stood on the street and watched Jay and Jeremy walk down the street toward her car, and hoped that the pair would be all right. At least they didn’t have far to drive since both lived within a few blocks of the bar. The public transport bus arrived and Michael stumbled a little as he climbed aboard. Carson waved one final time, and headed for her own vehicle.

Carson drove home carefully. The streets were clear at the moment and dry for the first time in weeks, but she had been drinking. She was well aware that even a small amount of alcohol could slow her reaction time if something happened. While she drove she thought of what she had said to her friends and thought it had been lacking somehow. There was just no way to articulate how Erin had reached in so easily and taken Carson’s heart into her grasp.

Twenty minutes later she made it home safely. Her gate opened obediently and she let out a relieved sigh. It had been a few days since she’d been home, and the last time the gate had malfunctioned. Since it was working properly now she assumed the phone call she made to the security company had been productive. Now if only she could call Erin to say goodnight.

Unfortunately that was impossible. The celebration with her colleagues had gone on much longer than she expected it to, and it was almost one in the morning. Since she couldn’t call Erin tonight she would have to try to make up for it by bringing her a coffee early in the morning.

Comforted by that thought Carson parked in the garage, and went into the house. She was immediately surrounded by the familiar sights and scent of home, and sighed as she felt the tension drain from her. It didn’t take long for her to shower and fall exhausted into bed.

Sean Donovan walked briskly toward his room at the Chicago Athletic Club with a spring in his step. An early game of tennis with an old friend was just what he needed to get his blood pumping, but it was the look of consternation on his former partner’s face when Sean beat him in straight sets that put him in such a good mood. He was in better shape than ever since the move to Arizona and he thought the dry desert air was the reason why.

Away from the cold Chicago climate Sean was able to work out on a daily basis, and his asthma hadn’t bothered him in years. He was lean, tanned, and fit, and definitely didn’t feel his age. On the other hand Jim Abernathy was overweight and pale, and the three packs of cigarettes he smoked a day certainly didn’t help.

With thoughts of a shower and breakfast dancing in his head Sean slipped the key card from his shorts and into the card reader just as the telephone inside his room rang. He snatched the receiver up just as it rang a second time.

"Hello?"

"Sean? Josh Keyes here."

"Josh, good to hear from you. Were you able to find anything out?"

Sean had contacted Josh two days ago to discuss Erin’s concerns with the previous Marsters case. He kept busy after that visiting old friends to keep his mind occupied, but now that Josh finally decided to call he was surprised how eager he was to have some answers.

Keyes hesitated for a moment before he finally replied. "Sean, that was a long time ago and people often say things they don’t mean when emotions are high. I can’t imagine anything worse than losing someone like these people did. Are you sure you want to bring this all up again?"

"You’re right, and I could be barking up the wrong tree. But Erin is my daughter and even if it’s only for my own piece of mind I need to know."

"Oh, all right. I don’t know how you get me into these things."

"Come on, Josh."

"Fine. You wanted me to check on some guy who was sending threatening letters to Marsters and their attorney. There were actually two people sending love notes to Marsters. One had a sick child and the other’s wife came down with a virulent form of the same type of cancer."

"Are both the wife and child deceased now?"

"Ah, just the child. Eric Jacobs lost his son six months ago, but there’s no record of the woman’s death."

"What about the people who sent the letters? Can you tell me about them?"

Josh paused for the moment and Sean could hear papers rustle in the background before he finally answered.

"I mentioned Eric Jacobs. His nine year old boy came down with the illness almost a year after the initial reported cases. He was sick about four years when he finally passed away six months ago. Mr. Jacobs was extremely angry when his son got sick and sent several letters to Marsters. Some of the threats he made could curl your hair, but he has no criminal record and by all accounts is a peaceful man who lived through a very traumatic time."

"And the other guy?"

"Ronald Adams. He worked for the Chicago Department of Transportation until two years ago. He was apparently fired for being late to work all the time, but I can’t say I blame the man. His wife, Mary, needed constant care. Like Jacobs, Ron Adams doesn’t have a criminal record either; not so much as a speeding ticket."

"And since there’s no record of his wife’s death Adams would have little reason to set out on a vendetta."

"You guessed it."

"Well, it was a shot in the dark anyway," Sean said. He was disappointed that Josh hadn’t found anything, but was realistic enough to know that anyone could be trying to get even with Marsters for any number of reasons. "Thanks for looking into it for me."

"Anytime. And Sean we should get together before you leave town."

"I’d love to. I’ll give you a call."

Sean ended the call and sat thinking quietly on his bedside. Erin had been so sure the old case was somehow tied to what was happening now, but neither of the men Keyes mentioned seemed like a viable suspect. By all accounts both men were law abiding, and peaceful. It was difficult to think they could make the leap to serial killer over the death of a family member. Even though rage and loss could be motivating factors it was still a stretch. Yet he trusted Erin’s instincts just as he trusted his own. That instinct was what made him a great attorney and he felt Erin inherited that gift from him. For that reason he wouldn’t drop this until he knew for sure.

There was one way to discretely find out. If the people tied to the old wrongful death case were innocent he would find out and allow Erin to let it go. This really was something the police should be looking into, but Sean had given his word that he would help Erin find out about the old case. He would stick with this until he satisfied that promise.

Sean grabbed the phone again and dialed a number from memory. It was fifteen years ago since he last called that number, and he hoped it didn’t belong to a pizza parlor now. The call was picked up before the first ring finished.

"Townsend Detective Agency."

Sean recognized the voice immediately and his heart leapt. "Jim! This is Sean Donovan."

"Sean, you old dog! How long has it been?"

"Oh, only about fifteen years!" Sean grinned.

"Really? Wow. It’s been a while, but it didn’t feel like that long ago."

Jim Townsend sounded disconcerted, and Sean wondered if he suddenly felt faced with his own mortality. Sean understood completely. After his wife died he realized how quickly the years could slip away. Thoughts of Rita threatened to close his throat with sorrow so he rushed ahead into the silence.

"Yeah, it’s been a while, but that’s not why I called."

"I thought you retired. Are you telling me you have a case for me?"

"Don’t sound so surprised, and yes I did retire. I do have a case for you, but it’s really for my daughter Erin."

"Oh yeah, I heard Erin is a senior partner now. You must be very proud of her."

Sean wondered if he was getting old when he felt tears threaten again. He cleared his throat and replied, "You have no idea. So, do you have the time to take on another case?"

"You’re in luck. I just finished up a case so I have some time open. Do you need me to handle this one myself?"

"I’d prefer it," Sean admitted. "At least until we know if there’s anything to go on."

"You want to explain that one?"

Sean took quite some time detailing all of the events in the Holcomb Building, and led up to Erin’s idea that it was all somehow tied into the old case. He explained the two suspects, one a grieving father and one a man who was about to lose his wife.

"Both men are clean," he finally said, "but if I had to pick one I’d go with Eric Jacobs. I can’t imagine anything more painful than the loss of a child. It’s just human nature to feel that a parent shouldn’t outlive their offspring. On top of that it looks like Mary Adams might still be alive."

"And until she is dead there’s little incentive for her husband to go on a rampage. I get it. But, Sean, I don’t have to tell you how careful I’ll have to be here. These guys have been through a lot, and if the press were to get wind of any kind of investigation there could be hell to pay."

"True. It’s very likely they’re both innocent, and I don’t want to bring them any more grief. You’ll have to be discreet, but I need you to get back to me as soon as you find out anything."

"I will, but I have to warn you that my fees have gone up a little in fifteen years. It’s five hundred a day plus expenses."

"Done," Sean said easily. "Let me know what you find out."

Sean sat back on the bed and considered whether he had covered all bases. There was one more call he needed to make before he could enjoy a leisurely breakfast. He needed to speak to Erin to find out if either of the men were familiar to her.

Erin’s secretary answered the phone. She said Erin was in a meeting, but she would be happy to take a message. Just then he heard Erin’s voice in the background.

"Oh, hold on a moment please."

Sean waited a few moments before Erin breathlessly picked up the extension.

"Dad?"

"I’m here, honey."

"Is everything all right?"

"Of course. I just spoke with Josh Keyes and wanted to let you know what he found out. Do you have a minute?"

"Actually, I have twenty," Erin teased. "After that I have to meet with a client."

"Great. He found out there were two guys that sent letters to Marsters, but I’ve got to tell you they don’t sound very promising."

Sean quickly outlined what he learned from Josh. He deliberately downplayed the details so he wouldn’t get Erin’s hopes up that they had a lead. If he learned differently from Townsend they would go from there.

"Does either of them sound familiar to you?"

"No, I can’t say they do," Erin answered slowly. "I don’t suppose you know what they look like."

Sean realized that a description of the right man would be all Erin needed. Details of their lives would be meaningless compared to that. He should have asked Josh for their profile, but he hadn’t thought of it.

"No, sorry."

"It’s all right. Frankly, I doubt it’s one of them anyway. The man who came after us would have to have a criminal record. No one could kill so easily without having some kind of violent background. It sounds like that idea was a bust."

"I agree. It is a long shot." Sean chose not to mention the private investigator.

Erin easily changed the subject, not eager to dwell on the feeling of disappointment. "How much longer are you staying in town?"

"A few more days. I want to get home before the New Year so I’ll probably leave on Saturday."

Intrigued at the way her father phrased the sentence Erin suddenly had the feeling he might be dating someone special. Since her mother passed away Sean Donovan hadn’t dated, and Erin secretly worried that he would spend the rest of his life alone. At the same time she had worried that she might feel jealous of someone taking her mother’s place. To her surprise Erin didn’t feel that way at all. Instead she was delighted by the prospect that he might be involved.

"Oh?" Erin teased. "Is there something you haven’t told me?"

"Well…I really didn’t want to say anything. We haven’t been seeing each other very long, and it’s too early to know how serious it is."

"Still, you should have told me. Now I understand your sudden interest in my love life. What’s her name?"

"Cheryl."

"That’s it? Just Cheryl?" Erin was amused by the deliberate lack of detail, but wasn’t going to let him off that easily. "Fine, I’ll let it go for now. But I insist on taking you to dinner before you leave, and I’ll want to know all about Cheryl then."

"Let me guess…The RL?"

"Of course."

"Will Carson be joining us?"

Impressed with how he turned the subject back to her, Erin chuckled. "I don’t think so. I think I’d like to spend some time alone with my father before he goes back to Arizona."

The truth was Erin still felt a twinge of jealousy when she thought about Carson. An image of Jay’s obviously expensive watch flashed in her mind again, and she didn’t want to spend a lot of time with Carson until she managed to work through her feelings. Carson was new to romance, and Erin didn’t want to come across as the jealous lover.

"How about Friday night?" Sean asked.

"Friday’s great. Six-thirty at the RL?"

"Sounds good. And speaking of food, I’m starving. I need to get a shower before I head down to breakfast."

"I’ll let you go then. Thanks for letting me know what you found out. I’m a little disappointed with the result, but strangely I feel a little relieved as well."

"I know, but it’s a matter for the police, Erin. You’ll just have to trust them to do their jobs."

"Right. Well, my client will be here in a few minutes so I should go."

"All right. I’ll see you Friday. Bye, honey."

"Bye, dad."

Erin sat for a few minutes thinking about what her father had learned. It wasn’t much, but it had pretty much shot her theories out of the water. Now it really was up to the police to find the suspect, and unfortunately she didn’t have much faith in them. She knew enough to know that if a case went unsolved for more than forty-eight hours the trail usually went cold. It had been considerably longer than that, and with no other ideas to go on there wasn’t much else she could do. At least Carson would be happy. She never wanted Erin messing around in this in the first place.

A knock sounded on the door and Erin automatically invited the person in. She expected Josette, and was surprised when Carson walked in. Inside Erin could feel her personal walls of protection slam into place and fought not to pull away from the woman she was starting to love. Another image of Jay and Carson laughing together flashed through her mind and she inhaled slowly against the stab of pain in her midsection.

"Hi," Carson smiled from where she peeked around the door.

"Hi yourself. Come on in."

Carson held a large cup with the Starbucks logo in one hand and placed it in front of Erin.

"I thought you’d be due for a pick-me-up."

"Bless you," Erin said and reached for the cup. She took a careful sip before she looked at Carson. The other woman had settled into the visitor’s chair, and looked a little ragged around the edges.

"Long night?"

Carson smiled tiredly and said, "You have no idea. Those three kept me out until almost two. I’m lucky I didn’t fall asleep driving home. Fortunately I didn’t have that much to drink or I might not have been so lucky."

Erin remembered Carson told her something about good news, and wondered just what had prompted such a late night out. "I take it you had a lot to celebrate?"

"Yes. You remember Jeremy? Well, he’s in charge of Delphi’s finances. He reported that we’ve had a twelve percent increase in profit since last year, and apparently our move into Holcomb has raised the company’s reputation considerably in only a few weeks."

"That’s great news," Erin said, sincerely impressed. "The next thing you know Business Weekly will be knocking on your door."

"You think so?"

"I’m sure of it."

Carson hated sounding so unsure, but Erin’s opinion of the company was important to her. That was especially true considering Carson’s idea to bring Erin into the fold, so to speak. Would Erin agree to become their exclusive legal representative? There was always the question of legal ethics. Technically Delphi Technologies was still represented by Ray Eldridge, and only temporarily assigned to Erin during his leave of absence. No doubt Erin would feel she should decline the offer even if she was tempted to take it. If that happened Carson would have to make sure Erin knew that no matter what Carson would not continue to work with Ray.

She had hoped to broach the subject this morning, but Erin seemed a little out of sorts. Carson didn’t think now was the time and instead brought up another topic from last night.

"Jay thinks Delphi should develop a game…a computer game."

"Really? I think that’s a great idea."

For the first time since she entered the room Carson thought Erin was genuinely enthusiastic, and began to describe the idea.

"Of course I won’t sign off on anything cheesy," Carson said. "It has to be a real mindbender, but not something so hard that people just throw their hands up at it and walk away."

"That’s true, but I’m sure you’ll figure it out. I still think it’s a good idea. Games are very popular, and a good source of income not to mention the publicity they generate for the company."

"I think so, too," Carson said. "At any rate I just wanted to drop off the coffee. I’ll let you get back to work.

Erin glanced quickly at her watch. "That’s probably a good idea. I have to meet a client in a few minutes."

Carson walked to the door with Erin only a step behind her. At the door she asked, "Will I see you tonight?"

"No, I have to work on that speech I told you about. Time has caught up with me faster than I thought it would, and I need to get serious about it. Oh, while I’m thinking of it I’m having dinner with my father Friday night. He’s leaving on Saturday and I’d like to spend some time with him before he goes."

"I understand," Carson said lightly. "What about Saturday? Are you still coming over for the New Year’s weekend?"

Erin hesitated slightly, and Carson was sure she was going to make up another excuse. Something was going on that Erin wasn’t telling her, but Carson wasn’t sure she should push the issue. When Erin finally did respond she surprised Carson.

"I’d love to. In fact, if it’s not too late on Friday when I finish with my father I’ll drive over. Would that be all right?"

"Perfect," Carson said with a smile.

Carson took the elevator back to her floor not really paying attention to the people around her. Quietly she tried to work through the confused jumble of her emotions after seeing Erin. Carson expected to start the day with a quiet moment with her lover. Instead she felt as though Erin really hadn’t wanted to see her. Erin felt distant, and uninterested. Even when Carson asked if Erin was still coming for the weekend she felt that Erin didn’t really want to. She had been happily surprised when Erin said yes.

Carson considered that she was just being sensitive. Chances were that Erin was just busy and had a lot on her mind. All of the undercurrents of a relationship were still new to her, and she had no frame of reference.

The doors opened onto the tenth floor and Carson decided to let it go. It was very possible that she was just imagining things and that Erin really wasn’t trying to avoid her. If Erin had a speech to write and wanted to spend time alone with her father she certainly didn’t need to ask Carson’s permission.

Still, all that day she waited for Erin to call. Her phone remained stubbornly silent, and at the end of a long but productive day Carson went home with no contact from her lover.

Ronald Linden Adams drove his battered old sedan into the driveway and switched off the engine. Then he sat with his head in his hands and inhaled through the pain that threatened to split his skull. For almost ten minutes he sat motionless except for the deep even breaths he took. When he first closed his eyes he felt as though his body swayed, but it was only his imagination. Nausea gripped him briefly and he clenched his teeth as starbursts of light went off behind his closed eyes.

Eventually the nausea passed and so did the bright lights. Ron pinched the bridge of his nose to try and alleviate the headache somewhat before he finally opened his eyes. The pain was still there but not as intense. It was expected since he hadn’t really slept in three days, but he had been busy. There was still a lot of work to do, but at the moment rest was more important. If he didn’t take the time to rest now the migraine would worsen and he would start to make mistakes.

This close to reaching his objective Ron couldn’t afford to get sloppy. There were only two more tasks to accomplish before he could join Mary, and they were crucial. First he had to eliminate the two women who could identify him, and then he would finally destroy the original chemical research plant that had caused Mary’s illness in the first place.

Mary, he thought, and a smiled graced his cracked lips. He suddenly needed to see her and climbed unsteadily out of the sedan. He hitched his trousers up and realized that he had lost a lot of weight recently, and needed to take better care of himself. Mary wouldn’t like it if he got sick.

Ron wasn’t delusional; he knew Mary was gone. It just made things a little easier to think of her as still alive. He also knew she wouldn’t be happy with the actions he had taken lately, but that was something they would have to talk about when they were together again. For now his mission was the only thing that kept him going.

Carrying out that mission kept Ron away for days at a time. Each time he left he made sure Mary was in her favorite chair, and each time he returned anticipation would gladden his heart because Mary would always be there waiting for him by the window. Even if she didn’t speak when he came home Ron could still feel the connection that had always been between them.

Maybe after a nap he would wash her hair. Mary had such pretty blonde hair and he loved the scent of her strawberry shampoo.

Out of habit Ron checked the mailbox before he went in the house. Overdue bills and junk mail was crammed into the small box so tightly the mail carrier finally gave up and left the door open. When he finally had the mailbox cleaned out Ron glanced across the street.

Old Mrs. Fisher was bundled up against the cold and stood in her front yard waiting for her poodle to do its business. She waved at Ron in a friendly gesture. He smiled and waved back, but he wasn’t fooled by her behavior. The old busybody had always been terrified of him, and the only reason she looked at him now was to see what he was doing.

Suddenly angry he slammed the lid on the mailbox and turned to go up the walk. Three steps up and then across the front porch and Ron went inside. As soon as he flung open the front door he was assaulted by the putrid stench of death.

The odor was made even worse by the heat blasting from the furnace, and Ron frowned. He couldn’t have the neighbors getting suspicious because of the smell, but he wasn’t overly concerned. With the weather outside all of the windows were closed, and there wasn’t any reason for anyone to be snooping around. Still, he would have to bathe Mary before he took his nap.

Ron couldn’t say why he hadn’t buried Mary yet. It just didn’t feel right. He had always felt they should be buried together and nothing had happened to change his mind. Sometimes he thought after all of this was over he would lie down beside Mary on the bed and call her brother just before he did something so that he would join her. David would find them both and they would be buried together, just as it should be. He just couldn’t decide how he would do it. Poison?

That was the best answer because it wouldn’t disfigure him, and he had heard it was painless.

Ron walked into the bedroom and found Mary just as he had left her. The throw had fallen from her knees and he reached down to tuck it back in place.

Squatted beside her, Ron looked up and smiled. "Hello, darling. You look beautiful."

Mary’s eyes were sunken back and glazed over while trapped bodily gasses gave her a bloated appearance, but he meant every word. He gently cupped her face before he rose up to kiss her cheek.

"You’re cold sitting here. I think a warm bath is just the thing. I’ll be back in a few minutes."

While he ran Mary’s bath Ron thought about his next objective, to take care of the businesswomen. The first one, the Tierney woman, had it coming. Even face to face with him outside the Holcomb Building she acted like she didn’t recognize him. He wore the orange jumpsuit with his face covered as a test, and she had failed bitterly. The gasp of fear when their eyes first met gave her away, and he knew he would have to kill her even if he didn’t really want to.

At first that was the only reason he finally decided to kill her, but then he saw whom she met for lunch and his regret turned to conviction.

Ron recognized Anderson right away. The man had been there from the beginning, speaking up for Marsters and insisting that the company had followed all mandatory safety protocols. Anderson said that if people got cancer it was an act of God, and hardly anything the company could be blamed for. Anderson was arrogant, self-assured, uncaring of the suffering families, and a willing pawn for the war machine that condoned biochemical weapons regardless of the fall-out.

When he sat down at Tierney’s table to have lunch with her it was clear they were involved. Ron left as soon as Anderson sat down, but he saw all he needed to.

He was still regretful about the lady attorney because she was nice to Mary, but things seemed to have changed since then. Maybe the blonde woman persuaded her money was more important than people’s lives, but whatever the reason for her switching sides Donovan had left him without a choice.

This coming weekend was New Years, and he had followed Tierney around enough to know that she always left the city at the end of the week. Even if she stayed in the city at the Benton during the week, which wasn’t often, she always went home on the weekend. Her house was secluded, and a snowstorm was predicted to start early Saturday morning. No one would be out, and there would be little threat of being interrupted. He would do it then.

As for the attorney, Ron thought it would be easy to get into her building. He would wear the orange jumpsuit and say he was checking for a gas leak in the penthouse towers.

In his mind he could hear the conversation with the concierge; No sir, I’m afraid we can’t tell where the leak is coming from. We just know it’s on the twenty-sixth floor. Yes, sir. I’d be happy to take a passkey and check it myself. I’m sure you’re very busy, and you don’t need to send anyone with me.

The gas company worked twenty-four hours a day, especially in winter, and everyone trusted utility workers. They would give him the key, and thank him for his time.

Ron grinned and shut off the water. He would have four days to rest and make sure everything was in place. Nothing would be left to chance, and there would be no mistakes. Until then he would rest, research the Benton blueprints, and be with Mary.

At seven-thirty Thursday evening private investigator Jim Townsend smothered a huge yawn behind his hand as he sat in a nondescript gray sedan outside the Jacobs home. For almost twenty-four hours he had followed Eric Jacobs around and found absolutely nothing out of the ordinary. He had watched Jacobs every day since Tuesday and was relieved during the night shift by one of his assistants, but he was back early every morning to take over.

Townsend got his first impression Tuesday night when Jacobs arrived home from work. He got out of a neatly polished low cost SUV in a three-pieced pinstriped suit. His hair was slicked back and neatly barbered, and nothing about him screamed ‘killer’ to the private investigator. Grief had left lines around the thirty-six year old man’s eyes, but when his wife met him at the door a sincere smile curled his lips.

Jacobs kissed his wife hello and swept a small girl up into his arms. The child squealed in delight and latched onto her father’s neck before the trio stepped inside their modest home.

Since then nothing worth mentioning had occurred. Jacobs left for work Wednesday morning and Townsend followed him. He went straight to work, to lunch with his colleagues, and then straight home afterward. The routine was the same as the day before, and the lights were out in the Jacobs home by ten.

Now he was convinced that Jacobs was just another regular guy who had lived through a horrific event and was trying to get on with his life. Chances were that both of the guys Sean Donovan wanted checked out were a waste of time, but it was an easy job and Jim didn’t mind the extra cash.

Townsend made a sudden decision and pulled out his cell phone. He pressed the redial button and waited for a second before the call was picked up on the other end.

"Willie? Hey it’s me, Jim. This Jacobs thing is a bust."

"I figured as much," Willie Pruitt answered. "It was a real snooze-fest the last few nights, too. What do you want to do?"

"Are you up for taking over? I think I’ll head home and get a few hours sleep before I head out to the Adams place. Maybe something a little more interesting will be happening there."

"At night?"

"Well you know what they say, wolves prowl at night. If one of these guys is a psycho he’d be running around at night, not during the day when people could spot him."

"Okay," Willie said but sounded unconvinced. "I can be there in twenty minutes. Will that work?"

"Great, oh and bring lots of coffee. You’re going to need it."

After a nap and something to eat Townsend pulled up in front of the Adams house. The neighborhood was quiet and the ground frozen hard just like the rest of Chicago. The house was a small bungalow style with a long front porch and at first glance was unremarkable in all respects. The inside of the house was completely dark but Jim didn’t think that was really unusual since it was almost midnight.

Jim noticed a beat up looking Chevy Lumina parked in the driveway and figured Adams and his wife were already in bed. He got out of his car and was careful not to slam the door. He didn’t want anyone to see what he was about to do and the sound of a car door this late in such a quiet neighborhood might attract unwanted attention.

Jim cast a quick look around before he crossed the street and disappeared into the shadows around the Adams house. Ice crunched softly underfoot and he shivered at the contrast of the chilly night air compared to the heated car interior. Jim tucked his chin into the collar of his jacket and was just glad he had thought to wear gloves.

He made a brief, careful circuit of the house, but didn’t notice anything unusual. It was too dark to see inside any windows and with his luck if he tried it he’d get caught. Just as he reached the back of the house and decided to head back to the car he noticed something. Jim was surprised to see how close the bay was to the back of the house. You couldn’t throw a stone to it, but the water was clearly visible in the moonlight. Jim estimated that it was less than a mile away, and he could see the twin smokestacks from the Marsters Research Plant.

Taken alone that didn’t really mean anything, and the Jacobs house wasn’t far from here. Both of the families had contended that Marsters was responsible for their loved ones’ illnesses, and seeing the plant this close up Townsend understood how they could come to that conclusion. Jim shrugged and fought off another shiver as he walked back to the car. Right now all he could think about was getting warm.

The P.I. spent the rest of the night between sipping lukewarm coffee, and dozing lightly in the front seat of the car. When the sun began to try and break through the clouds he roused himself and climbed back out of the car. With the sun up he would be able to see more, and the trees were fairly thick around the side of the house. He would be able to find good concealment and wait to see if anything interesting happened in the next few hours.

After watching Jacobs for two days he seriously doubted it. About the most exciting thing he would see would be Ron Adams getting ready for work. Or would he? Didn’t Sean say Adams had been fired?

Oh, well. Surely the man wouldn’t sleep all day and Jim could get an idea if this was another dead end. If he got that impression at all he would call the whole thing off and let Sean know it was a waste of time. If it was summer Jim might have stayed with the case just for the money, but there was really no reason to freeze his butt off if he didn’t have to.

He found a good spot between a few trees where he could easily see into a window. The shades were open, and Jim guessed they weren’t worried about anyone trying to peek in. It was just another sign that they had nothing to hide as far as he was concerned.

Around nine-thirty Jim finally noticed movement inside the house. He sat up and peered intently inside, the cold momentarily forgotten.

A huge man with dark bushy hair and a thick beard came into view. Jim assumed this was Ronald Adams and shivered at the sight of him. Adams was shirtless and his arms looked like they had been chiseled from stone. Although he was a little thick in the waist it was obvious that most of him was pure muscle. Adams turned his back momentarily and bent over. At first Jim was confused, but then Adams straightened and turned back toward the window.

Jim swallowed thickly when he saw Adams held his wife tenderly in his arms. He carefully placed the woman in a chair by the window and adjusted a blanket over her knees. Then he bent down and whispered in her ear before he placed a lingering kiss on one cheek. Even through the condensation on the glass Jim could see the tenderness in the gesture and the unmitigated love on the big man’s face.

Touched by the sentimentality displayed by the big oaf Jim decided he’d been right the first time. Both of these men were victims and just trying to get on with their lives in the best way they could. For Eric Jacobs the tragedy had already happened and all that was left was the recovery, if that was possible. Ron Adams still lived with the tragedy occurring right in front of him. His days were probably spent talking to his wife, and attending her every need. Until she finally passed away he couldn’t even begin the grieving process.

Jim decided he would wait a few more hours. If all he saw was a man patiently attending to an invalid wife, he would pack it in. He was surprised a few minutes later when he glimpsed Adams again in the window.

The man was now dressed in a heavy black overcoat. A scarf was wrapped around his neck and he had on thick leather gloves. He definitely looked like he was going out.

Probably just needs a few supplies from the grocery store, Townsend thought. But I’d still better follow. Don’t want Sean to think I didn’t do a thorough job.

Jim stayed low as he moved back to the car. He would have felt pretty conspicuous if the sun had been shining brightly, but the day was overcast like most winter days in Chicago. For once he was happy for the gray cast that helped conceal him as he made it back to the car just in time. He had just pulled the door closed when Adams stepped onto the front. Townsend hunkered down in the car and watched Adams glance around before he left the porch and got into the Chevy.

The car headed for the interstate with Jim trailing behind. Traffic was thick at this time of the morning so Jim wasn’t worried about being seen. He was still careful to stay in another lane, or when the traffic slowed sufficiently that he might lose his quarry he would follow directly behind the Lumina for a short time. Then the unthinkable happened.

An eighteen wheeler cut right in front of Jim, almost smashing into the front fender of his car to change lanes. Jim had to slam on his breaks to avoid a collision with the monster truck, and by the time he got sorted out Adams was nowhere in sight.

Jim stayed on the interstate craning his neck and changing lanes, but Adams was gone. He must have taken an exit, but which one? For ten more minutes Jim looked for the battered sedan before the twenty-mile an hour traffic made him give up. Cursing, he took an exit and turned around.

Jim stopped for a bag of donuts and coffee before he drove back and parked in a different location on the same side of the street as the Adams house. He figured his quarry wouldn’t be gone for very long with an invalid wife home alone, and he would wait for Adams to return.

Two hours later he didn’t know what to think. Where was Adams going? He didn’t work, and Sean said no one else cared for his wife so why would he leave her alone for so long? It didn’t make sense unless Adams had a new job they didn’t know about and a neighbor was supposed to look in on Mary.

Impatient he decided to check in with Willie. Jim dialed the number while he kept an eye on the street.

"Pruitt."

"Hey Willie, what’s going on?"

Over the thin connection Jim could hear his assistant sigh before he answered. "More of the same…nothing. He left for work this morning and now I’m sitting outside his office. How much longer are we going to follow this guy?"

Willie was right. Jacobs was clean and there was no sense following him around, but he didn’t want to give up so quickly.

"We’ll give it another twenty-four hours. Have Marty relieve you at six, and you can take over again in the morning. If we don’t have anything by the time he leaves work tomorrow we’ll pack it in."

"All right," Willie groused. "At least the end is in sight."

"What’s the matter," Townsend teased, "You’d rather be following cheating wives around snapping dirty pictures for their husbands?"

"It beats this. At least then something would be happening?"

"I hear you. It’s pretty boring on this end, too. Call me if anything develops."

"You got it, boss."

Another hour passed with no sign of Adams. Finally too curious to wait any longer Jim got out of the car and feigned stretching his legs. He looked carefully around at the other houses, but if anyone was at home he couldn’t tell. Most of the window curtains had been drawn against the cold, and no one was out on the street with the exception of a few cars that passed every now and then.

Jim turned and walked down the sidewalk away from the Adams house. He went about twenty feet before he stepped off the sidewalk and into the trees. Then he doubled back toward the house. He approached the back of the house obliquely just in case someone besides Mrs. Adams was inside, but he didn’t notice any movement. Mrs. Adams had been placed in a chair on the side of the house so Jim carefully avoided that side and started peeking in windows on the back.

He was struck immediately by how clean the interior of the house was. Living room, kitchen, and bathroom…everything was immaculate. It was almost too clean. Speaking from experience Jim knew that most men were slobs. He’d expected to see empty pizza boxes and beer cans scattered around, not this almost Spartan environment.

He went all the way around the house, careful to stay low behind the hedges on the front porch to avoid being seen, until he was back to the side where the wife sat in front of the window. Jim stepped onto that side of the house without thinking and jerked back when he caught a glimpse of Mary Adams. She sat in the same spot where her husband had placed her, and Jim could have sworn she hadn’t moved a muscle. But that was impossible.

Frowning, he glanced down at his watch. Where the hell was Adams? Why would he leave his wife alone for so long? Maybe he missed someone checking on the woman when he’d gone after Adams. Maybe Adams had been involved in a car accident.

At four in the afternoon it started to get dark and Jim decided that his bladder just couldn’t take it any more. He needed to go to the bathroom and get something to eat, and hoped that Adams would return before he got back. Jim started the car and pulled out onto the lane. A few cars moved slowly back and forth down the street, but none of them were Adams.

After lunch Jim drove straight back to the house, but Adams still hadn’t returned. By seven-thirty he was growing concerned about Mrs. Adams. Even if the woman had a catheter she couldn’t be comfortable after sitting in the same spot for so long.

Jim Townsend had spent twenty years as a beat cop on the Chicago Police Department before he started his own detective agency. In that time, and since then, he had seen a lot of things that would take the humanity out of a person if they let it, and even lost his marriage over it. But as street hardened as he was he still possessed a compassionate heart. He just couldn’t leave the Adams woman alone for another minute without making sure she was all right.

This time he didn’t care that he slammed the car door. He was trying to announce himself and hopefully not frighten the poor woman anymore than she undoubtedly was. After all, in her condition who wouldn’t be frightened after being left home alone all day?

Jim stepped as heavily as he could onto the wooden steps of the front porch and even took the time to stomp some of the ice from his shoes. Then he walked across the porch and knocked loudly on the front door. When there was no answer he knocked again with the same result.

He noticed a doorbell and reached over to press it repeatedly. There was still no answer, and he wondered if he should call the authorities.

Instinct told him that wasn’t the case, but Jim couldn’t call anyone based on a hunch. That same instinct made him reach down and grasp the doorknob. He almost gasped in surprised when the door swung open without any resistance. Adams hadn’t even locked the door.

Something was wrong.

Jim stepped carefully into the house and pushed the door closed. The first thing he noticed was an odd smell. It was sour and caused the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end, but it wasn’t overpowering. The smell reminded him of milk that had spoiled. He ignored the odor for the moment and moved quietly through the house without any idea why he didn’t simply walk into Mrs. Adams room and announce himself.

From room to room nothing stirred, and there was no sight of Mrs. Adams. Common sense told him the room where she sat was on his right, but something deep in his subconscious made him check out the other rooms first.

There were no lights on inside, and Jim had only the moonlight to navigate by. The layout of the house was unfamiliar to him so he had to move carefully, but he got the impression the majority of the house was open and inviting.

Only one door was closed, and it stood out as an oddity in Jim’s mind because of the sheer inconsistency. It was the last doorway before the room where he knew he would find Mary Adams, and Jim was curious about what he would find.

The room was almost pitch black without any windows. Jim knew he was going to have to turn a light on this time and was thankful for the small flashlight he always carried in his overcoat. He would have to close the door first, though so that no light would escape to draw attention to his presence.

Something hard touched the edge of his shoe as he turned to close the door, and Jim was careful not to step on anything. He turned back around after the door was closed and fished the light out of his pocket. As soon as he snapped it on he froze in shock.

The room turned out to be a very large closet that had been converted into a nightmarish workroom. There was room to maneuver in the space, but a desk had been wedged in toward the back and was liberally covered in newspaper clippings about Marsters. Jim stepped farther into the walk-in closet to see some wire clippings, small gray bricks of what had to be C-4, and a backpack were against one wall, and building blueprints were thrown carelessly to one side.

Just that brief glance was enough to let Jim know they had found the killer, but when he looked closer at the desktop his blood ran cold. More recent articles of the Holcomb incident sat on top. Erin Donovan and another woman Jim didn’t know were pictured in the article and someone had circled their pictures before both their faces were ex-ed out with a back marker.

The intent was clear, and Jim forgot all about Mary Adams as he fumbled for his cell phone. He stepped backward and tripped on the hard object that his shoe had touched earlier. Tired, and disoriented in the unfamiliar space Jim lost his balance and fell. If the room had been smaller he probably would have bounced off the wall, but it was large enough that when he fell there was nothing to catch him. His head struck the corner of a protruding shelf as he went down, and just before he lost consciousness he saw what it was he had tripped on.

It was a massive climbing axe covered in dried blood and human hair.

Carson concentrated on the roadway as she steered through traffic on the way home. It was only quarter to five, but it was already dark and it was also rush hour traffic. Headlights reflected off cars in front of them from close range since the relative speed was around forty miles per hour. She didn’t mind though. The week was over and she had a few hours to prepare for a long weekend with Erin.

Right now Erin would be leaving work to get ready for dinner with her father. Carson smiled and thought about how easy Erin’s relationship was with her father. On one hand it was something she envied, but on the other she was happy for Erin. Thoughts of Erin inevitably led back to her own family, and the smile faded.

Carson’s stomach twisted at half-remembered images of her own father. Derek Tierney was a tall man with hawkish features, light brown hair, and sunburned skin. Instead of the cologne Erin’s father wore hers put off the perpetual scent of alcohol. It was no secret he blamed her for his wife’s death, and he made sure Carson blamed herself.

She had just turned age five when she was suddenly left without a mother or a father.

Carson pushed the unwanted images away, and her thoughts naturally migrated back to Erin. For the first time in her life she felt like she had something…someone that really cared for her on an emotional level and not just for what she could do for them. Along with the warm and fuzzy feelings associated with Erin came another unexpected twinge.

There had hardly been any contact with Erin all week long except for a few brief phone calls here and there. Even with the brief contact it was obvious something was bothering Erin. Maybe tonight she would get a chance to find out what the problem was, and it would turn out to be something minor. Carson was just afraid Erin was having second thoughts about being involved with her.

Carson glanced in the rearview mirror and noticed a red sports car right behind her. If she had to slam on her breaks the driver would slam right into the back of her Lexus. Annoyed Carson tapped on the breaks to remind the driver to back off a little. Instead of merely backing off the driver swung into the other lane and caused several other cars to swerve to avoid him. Horns blared in outrage and Carson shook her head when the young driver roared past her.

Scary, she thought. Some people really had no idea how to drive in heavy traffic.

Carson’s cell phone range and she jumped a little in startled surprise. Only Erin called her on the cell, but she hadn’t been expecting to hear from her. She smiled as she reached for the phone and checked the call display.

"Hello?"

"Hi. It’s me. I just wanted to hear your voice before I met with my dad."

"I’m glad you did," Carson admitted. "I don’t feel we’ve hardly spoken all week."

"I know. I’m sorry about that, but I really have been busy getting ready for the seminar at the end of January. It’s amazing how much work one little speech can be."

"Did you get it finished?"

"Yes, I think so. I’ll go over it again in a few days just to make sure, but for the most part it’s finished."

"Good."

Carson must have sounded a little too excited because Erin chuckled and asked, "Why? What did you have in mind?"

"I just want to have you to myself all weekend with no distractions. So, you getting ready to meet your dad?"

"Yeah, in about forty minutes, but I’ll pack my bag before I meet dad so that I can just drive out there when we’re finished. Will that be all right?"

Carson’s smile turned into a huge grin, and she said, "That would be wonderful, but do me a favor? Bring a swimsuit."

"A swimsuit? It’s the middle of winter!"

"Just trust me, will you?"

"Okay," Erin laughed. "Now I’d better run or I’ll be late."

"All right. Have fun with your dad."

"I will."

Carson started to hang up, but Erin stopped her.

"Carson? I just wanted to say…I miss you."

Those were the three words Carson had wanted to say all week, but didn’t know if it would sound too juvenile for the sophisticated Erin Donovan. Now that Erin said it first the words sounded like poetry.

"I miss you, too."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Carson thought dreamily of Erin the rest of the way home until her headlights illuminated the private lane leading up to her home.

She was so distracted by the call from Erin that she still wasn’t really paying attention when she parked in the garage and shut off the engine. Carson bent across the seat to pull her briefcase from the passenger side floorboard, naturally lifting her left leg for balance. When she straightened back up Carson’s pant leg snagged on the hood release lever. It took a moment to extricate herself from the lever, but then she was free to get ready for her weekend.

After a lengthy shower to rinse away the week and chase away the chill of winter Carson dressed in jeans and an old sweater before she laid a fire in the fireplace. She would light it after Erin arrived. Then she began to lay the plans for a romantic evening.

Erin had been complaining of the harsh Chicago winters since Carson met her so the hot tub definitely figured in on her plans along with the fireplace.

She dug through her dresser and came up with a little used bikini. It was a thin wisp of a thing colored a pale silver blue that she hoped Erin would think complimented her eyes. Carson smiled and laid the bikini across the bed. If everything went as planned she wouldn’t need any other clothes after they got out of the hot tub. She put a bottle of Erin’s favorite brandy, Remy Martin, on a table beside the hot tub along with two glasses.

Carson wanted everything to be perfect and took one last look around the spa area. She was grateful that the hot tub was in an enclosed room and they wouldn’t have to brave the elements, but something was still missing. Candles.

Ten minutes later she was finally satisfied. Huge, fluffy towels lay next to the brandy along with a couple of terry cloth robes just in case.

Satisfied with her preparations Carson wandered barefoot into the kitchen. It was just a little after eight and Erin would no doubt be deeply engrossed in conversation with her father as they enjoyed dinner. When her own stomach growled in response Carson pulled out a chopping board, butcher knife and some vegetables from the refrigerator. But before she could begin to cut up broccoli, carrots, and celery the quiet started to get to her.

A little music would be very nice right now, maybe something soothing like jazz. Carson wasn’t in the mood to hear voices so decided on an instrumental selection.

She put the chopping knife down on the cabinet and turned to walk into the living room when she heard a thump come from the direction of the garage. For a moment she thought she imagined the sound, but then she heard it again. It was too early for Erin to arrive, and the other woman didn’t have access to the garage anyway.

Carson frowned and walked over to the inside garage door. She hesitated for only a second with her hand on the knob before she threw the door open. The garage lights automatically came on when the door opened to chase away any lingering shadows, but there was nothing immediately out of place. She couldn’t have imagined the noise, could she? Certainly not twice, Carson thought and stepped into the massive garage to take a closer look.

The roll-up doors and the window on the far side of the room were both firmly in place, and locked. Carson looked out the window for an explanation for the noise she had heard. A tree sat close to the house and one of the branches had snapped. When the branch fell it must have hit the side of the garage. It wasn’t the first broken branch she had seen during a high wind and from the way the trees were swaying it wouldn’t be the last.

She was still barefoot and the concrete was cold, but at least the garage was heated. Still, it was cooler than it should be an hour after the doors had been closed and Carson thought she needed to check the thermostat later. Right now it wasn’t really important. After all, it was just a garage and she had more important things on her mind.

That was when she noticed the hood of the Lexus was ajar.

Carson remembered snagging her pant leg on the hood release earlier, and snorted at her paranoid behavior. She must have barely tripped the lever earlier and the hood had only just now come open.

Live alone for too long and look what happens, she thought. You get paranoid.

Carson closed the hood and went back into the house to finish her snack.

Across town Erin was spending quality time with her father, but her thoughts were definitely on a young woman waiting on her with the promise of a romantic weekend ahead.

Erin shivered minutely at the sensual images in her head and almost missed the fact that her father had just asked her a question.

"Sorry, what was that?"

Sean Donovan smiled and looked at his daughter with an indulgent expression. "I asked what your plans were for this weekend."

"Oh. Carson invited me to spend time with her at her place."

Suddenly her father looked far more interested and Erin groaned internally. When he got that expression she could usually count on a skilled interrogation that could leave her sweaty and shaking; at least it had been that way when she was a more adventurous teenager.

"Do I sense some developments?"

"You’re the one who said she was a ‘nice girl’", Erin reminded him as she tried to deflect the inquisition, but her father knew her better than that. Her evasive answer was all of the confirmation he needed.

"So why didn’t you tell me you were already seeing each other? Don’t you trust me?"

Erin heaved a resigned sigh at the hurt tone he adopted and said, "Of course I trust you. I also knew you would enjoy the chance to tease me about her."

"Okay," Sean said and held up a hand in surrender. "I won’t tease you about Carson if you won’t tease me about Cheryl. Deal?"

"Deal. Oh, and speaking of which you promised to tell me all about her. Out with it. What does she do? How old is she? Where did you meet her?"

"One question at a time," Sean laughed. He gathered his thoughts for a moment and said, "I met her about six months ago, but we didn’t really get along at first. I was on the tennis court and here comes this little redhead telling me that my time is over, and I need to leave. After all, the courts are booked in advance and I was already ten minutes into her scheduled hour."

"That must have gone over well!"

"You have no idea. I looked at my watch and told her it was more like ten seconds, and that she could show a little patience."

"Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful friendship," Erin joked.

Sean smiled and to Erin’s surprise his ears turned a little red. "The next time I saw her was a week later. I was in the bar at the country club having drinks with some friends."

"What happened?"

"She walked right over to the table, interrupted our conversation, and laid a gift wrapped box in front of me. Then she said, ‘this is so that you won’t be late. Meet me here in two hours and be prepared to treat me to a fantastic dinner.’"

"What was in the box?"

Sean held up his wrist by way of explanation so Erin could see a shiny gold watch.

"That’s all?" Erin asked flabbergasted. "Some bossy woman plunks a watch down in front of you and demands that you take her to dinner, and that’s all it takes?"

"What can I say? I like bossy women."

Erin and Sean both laughed. It was no secret Erin had inherited her stubborn streak from her mother.

"It turns out she was just as nervous as I was," Sean finally said. "Dropping that watch on me and making demands was the only way she could get up the nerve to ask me out. She didn’t think I would ask her so she decided to take matters into her own hands."

"That’s priceless, but I’m happy for you."

"Thanks, honey, but what about you? Seriously, why didn’t you tell me about Carson? You know I’m not some backward Neanderthal who thinks love should be reserved for those who follow the status quo."

Erin shrugged delicately. "Nerves I guess. I’ve only been seeing Carson since the incident at the Holcomb Building. That was what? Two weeks ago?"

"It’s not about the length of time; it’s about the feeling. How does she make you feel?"

"Confused," Erin answered immediately. At her father’s look she tried to answer more fully. "Half the time I’m scared out of my wits like I’m on my first date and afraid to drop soup in my lap. The other half of the time I’m so excited just to be around her that I think my bones are going to vibrate through my skin. She’s so smart it’s intimidating, yet so sweet and naïve that I want to fold her away in my arms and protect her from the rest of the world."

"And the sex?"

"Dad!"

Sean laughed and said, "Well, we’re both adults here. I don’t need details, but how do you feel when you’re with her?"

If he could have taken a snapshot of the dreamy expression on Erin’s face then, he would have. But it was her answer that caused a sting in his eyes and reminded him of Rita.

"Amazing, for lack of a better word. When I’m with Carson the whole world just disappears. Nothing else matters, not work, or anything else. Only Carson. She’s all I can see, all I can breathe."

Sean cleared his throat and said in a deliberately light tone, "Sounds like love to me."

"Love? Yes, I suppose that’s what it is. But isn’t it too soon?"

"Only you can answer that. I knew the moment I looked into your mother’s eyes that I loved her. That feeling is a precious gift that too few people ever experience. If you love Carson, then you love her. It’s that simple."

Erin smiled wryly and reached across the table to clasp her father’s hand. "When did you get to be so wise?"

"Oh, I was born this way. It’s a difficult burden to bear, but someone has to do it."

His small joke had the effect he wanted and the serious moment drained away as they both laughed.

"Now, tell me, where does this wonder woman live?"

Erin took a sip of her coffee and said, "Carson called it the old Rockfort place. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t really place it. All I can tell you is it’s one of the older estates north of Rodger’s Park. Apparently it was pretty rundown when she bought it, and she’s having the whole place renovated."

Sean whistled appreciatively. "Not Jethro Rockfort, head of the largest oil refining business in the country? I knew he used to live around here, but I couldn’t imagine actually knowing someone who lived in his former mansion."

"The inside of the mansion is already finished, and it’s pretty amazing." Erin grinned at her father’s enthusiasm. "It sits right off Lake Michigan, and has a private lake and boat dock. That part’s still under construction, but she’s offered to take me fishing in the summer."

"Sounds wonderful, and rumor had it that the place was rather secluded. I heard it sits on ten acres and is situated at the furthest part from any of the other estates in the area."

Sean wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and forced another laugh from his daughter. The bawdy behavior wasn’t something Sean was especially inclined in, but Erin was far too serious sometimes and he enjoyed hearing her laugh.

"Rumor is right," Erin joked back. "Why do you think we’re spending the weekend at her place?"

"Ah, that explains how you can forego the RL for more than one meal."

"Now dad, that’s not funny. I don’t eat here every night."

"No, just most of them."

Sean teased Erin for another twenty minutes about her eating habits before he looked regretfully at his watch, and commented how late it was. They settled the bill and he walked Erin to her car. Just before she drove away he said, "I’m glad you’re happy Erin, and I really do like Carson."

"Thanks, dad. That means a lot to me. Do you have a ride to the airport tomorrow?"

"I’m fine. Josh Keyes is going to drive me, and we’re going to stop for lunch before the flight. He’s been badgering me for a visit before I leave."

"Will you call me when you get home, to let me know you’ve made it all right?"

"Yes, now will you stop worrying? Carson’s going to wonder what happened to you."

Sean abruptly leaned down through the window and kissed Erin on the cheek.

Finally convinced that her father had everything under control Erin waved at him and pulled into traffic.

Erin drove to Carson’s house with a mixture of anticipation and nerves that caused a massive uprising of butterflies in her stomach. She thought about the advice her father had given her and the jealousy she had experienced all week that made her deliberately distance herself from Carson. She knew she had no right to be resentful of Carson’s friendship with Jay. She was certainly allowed to have friends, but didn’t Carson realize what giving expensive jewelry to someone meant?

From the sound of things Carson shared a long history with the other woman, and Erin worried that it went farther than that. Logically she realized that if Carson was going to be involved with Jay it would have happened a long time ago, but that didn’t make her feel any better. Maybe Carson was uncertain about what she felt. It was possible she had feelings for Erin and Jay.

Neither Erin nor Carson had ever mentioned any kind of commitment or even spoken of love even though they were sleeping together. Maybe Carson didn’t feel the same way Erin did.

Then she remembered the look in Carson’s eyes when they were together and realized she was being unfair. It was clear Carson cared deeply for her, and Erin suddenly wondered if she was making up excuses in her head why things wouldn’t work out between them.

Not for the first time she reminded herself that Carson wasn’t Rose. Carson also wasn’t experienced in intimate relationships, and would never deliberately toy with Erin. If she said all she shared with Jay was friendship then that was it, and if Erin wanted this thing to work out with Carson she was going to have to trust her. That meant Erin would have to talk with Carson. She would have to let Carson know her fears and insecurities, and hope they could work through it.

Erin pulled through the open gate into Carson’s driveway. The garage was closed and Erin stopped in front of it and shut off the engine of her car. She grabbed her overnight bag from the seat, and walked toward the front door with doubts and worries still swirling through her head. Then the front door open and she looked up into Carson’s open, smiling face.

The look of tenderness in Carson’s blue eyes made all of her insecurities melt away instantly.

If you love her, you love her. Her father’s words were all she could think in that moment and she knew it was true. I do love her. I do trust her. And I am the luckiest woman in the world to have found her.

All else forgotten Erin stepped up and slipped her free hand around Carson’s neck. When their lips touched Erin was jolted by the remembered softness, and reveled in it for an endless amount of time until Carson finally pulled breathlessly away. Her pale features had a rosy hue, and she smiled as she pulled Erin inside.

"Hi," Carson said simply and closed the door behind them.

Erin dropped her bag on the floor and slid her other arm around Carson’s neck. "Hi yourself. You look wonderful."

Carson stepped back with a perplexed look on her face and said, "It’s just an old sweater."

Erin didn’t bother to correct Carson’s assumption that she was commenting on her clothing when she glanced down to notice the other woman’s bare feet. Instead she said, "It looks nice on you."

"Thanks."

Carson took Erin’s bag and they walked into the living room.

"How was dinner with your dad?"

"It was fun. I found out he’s seeing someone, and he seems happy."

"He hasn’t dated before?"

Carson sounded surprised and Erin understood why. Her father was a good-looking, intelligent man with a lot to offer. It would probably seem a little unusual to most people that he didn’t really date.

"Not since my mom passed away."

"How do you feel about that?" Carson asked carefully.

"Fine." Erin sat on the sofa and rubbed her arms to relieve the chill from outside. "I could see how someone would be a little uncomfortable to know that their parent was dating, but I don’t feel that way. I’m glad he has someone."

Carson noticed how Erin shivered and offered to get her some coffee. "I figured you’d want some and I made a fresh pot about ten minutes ago."

"That sounds lovely. Do you need some help?"

"With coffee?" Carson looked amused and said, "I can manage, but if you want to go with me that would be okay."

Erin smiled back and followed Carson into the kitchen. She leaned with one hip against the counter while Carson poured the hot liquid and handed her the cup. Erin took a small sip, and thought about how she had been acting all week. It was time to come clean with Carson and clear the air a little.

"Carson, there’s something I have to tell you."

From the way the other woman’s face tightened Erin knew Carson misunderstood her intent. Carson thought Erin was about to call things to a halt. Immediately she reached out and put a hand on Carson’s arm. "It’s not that. I have a confession to make, that’s all."

Carson let out a relieved breath and said, "I’m glad you brought it up. I got the feeling all week that something was going on. It’s nice to know I wasn’t imaging things."

"Let’s sit down first."

Carson frowned but walked back to the living room. Erin sat beside her and put her cup on the table. Then she turned toward Carson and took both her hands. She stared down at their clasped hands for a moment to organize her thoughts before she began.

"I’ve been having problems…with Jay."

Whatever Carson had expected her to say that clearly wasn’t it. Carson blinked in surprise, opened her mouth, closed it again and settled on looking confused at Erin.

"It’s the watch you gave her for Christmas."

"What about it?"

"Carson, don’t you think it’s a little strange that you would give a friend, even a good friend, an expensive piece of jewelry like that?"

"No."

Erin tried again. "Most of the time when someone gives another person something like that it means something."

"It does mean something. Jay is my friend."

"Carson, something like that usually implies more than friendship. It means you are involved intimately with them, or at least want to be."

"It does?"

From the baffled look on her face Erin knew she had completely misjudged things. Apparently all the watch meant to Carson was a gift for a good friend and nothing more.

Suddenly the lights went on with Carson and her eyes widened in shock. "You were jealous of the watch?"

Erin chuckled self-consciously, and she shrugged. "I guess so."

Erin had difficulty looking Carson in the eye now. She felt like the one who was inexperienced with relationships, and was embarrassed that she had leapt to conclusions. But Carson didn’t let her get away with it. She gently cupped Erin’s chin and urged her to look up.

"Erin, it’s just a watch. You’re right that it means more than friendship, but it’s not what you think. Jay is all the family I have known since I was five years old. Even though she isn’t a blood relative she is closer than any sister I could have. My own father didn’t want me after my mother died, but Jay has been there for me since I met her, no matter what. If an expensive piece of jewelry makes her happy then she will have it."

It was the second time Carson had said her father didn’t want her, but this time Erin realized how much more Jay’s friendship would mean to the young woman for that reason.

"I was being insecure," Erin admitted. "I’m sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. If I haven’t made it clear how much …you mean to me, then I am the one who needs to apologize."

Carson leaned down and gently brushed her lips against Erin’s. When she pulled away Erin could only look up at her with shining eyes. "How could he not want you? You are so wonderful."

Erin was surprised when Carson suddenly flushed and pulled away. Carson looked down at her tightly clasped hands and said, "He had a reason. I’m not as perfect as you think. But I don’t want to talk about him." She looked back up and said, "While we are making confessions there is something I have to ask you."

"All right."

Erin was curious about Carson’s reaction and made a mental not to ask again later, but she allowed the change of conversation for the moment.

"I told you how well Delphi is doing and about the idea for developing a game."

"Yes?"

Carson cleared her throat nervously and said, "We believe, that is my team and I, believe it is time we hired a dedicated attorney for the company."

"I thought you already had that. Isn’t that what I am?"

"No." Carson shook her head. "At the moment you’re filling in for Mr. Eldridge. When he comes back Delphi will be represented by him again."

"True."

"We don’t want that. Let me finish," Carson said when Erin would have interrupted.

"Before you say anything I want you to know that even when Mr. Eldridge comes back I don’t want him representing my company. It’s nothing personal. I’m sure he’s a fine attorney. I just don’t think he’s right for Delphi."

"What did you have in mind?"

Erin thought she had an idea where this was going and thoughts of impropriety were already dancing around in her mind.

"We want you to represent Delphi…exclusively."

Erin was shocked by the unexpected offer. She knew Carson didn’t care for Ray’s representation, but never expected this. Right away she knew if she accepted the offer there would be potential problems. The first was Ray. He would be furious, and rightly so. Carson was initially his client and there could be ethical problems if Erin took over. Of course Ray’s hurt feelings wouldn’t affect her job since she would no longer be a partner of Eldridge, Donovan and White if she accepted.

Then there was the problem of her current clients. What about them? Who would represent them? What about her relationship with Carson? Would it be a conflict of interests?

At least it would solve one problem, Erin thought. If someone did find out about her relationship with Carson it wouldn’t matter, and Erin didn’t like having to hide how she felt about the other woman. All in all it was a lot to take in all at once.

"There would be a lot of problems if I did that."

"Is that a yes?"

Carson looked so excited and hopeful that Erin couldn’t help smile back at her, but she had to answer honestly. "No. It means I’ll think about it. Now, I believe you said something about a bathing suit? Want to tell me why I brought a bathing suit over in the middle of winter?"

"Ah!"

Carson stood abruptly and held out her hand. Erin took the offered hand and stood when Carson tugged slightly. "Remember how cold you were only a short time ago?"

"Yes?"

"Well, I thought a dip in the spa would be just thing to warm you up."

"You did, did you?"

"Yes. You do remember where the hot tub is?"

"How could I forget that hug tub?"

Erin remembered the whirlwind tour Carson had given her the first time she visited. She envisioned the hot tub Carson had thoughtfully arranged to have on the inside of the house rather than the deck like most people would have, and suddenly couldn’t wait to get into the hot water.

"Five minutes?" She asked excitedly.

"Five minutes." Carson leaned down and playfully kissed Erin on the nose.

They parted company at the bedroom doorways. Erin used the guestroom she had previously occupied to change into her suit before she left to meet Carson at the hot tub. When she arrived it was just in time to see Carson lower herself into the bubbly water. Full curves filled out the cups of the blue bikini and Erin suddenly didn’t know how to breathe. Her heart thudded painfully against her chest before it settled into a normal albeit slightly faster rhythm.

Erin swallowed against a dry throat and stepped barefoot up to the edge of the spa. Her own suit was a modest black one-piece that she thought couldn’t even compare to what Carson wore. She couldn’t help but stare at the vision in front of her.

Candles were lit all around the spa while the overhead lights had been extinguished. Only the lights from the hallway backlit the room enough to define the liquor bottle and two glasses that sat on a nearby table. Erin’s blood overheated without ever stepping a foot into the hot tub, and she considered that spontaneous combustion was a very real possibility.

"Are you going to come in or would you rather watch?" Carson asked in a smoky voice that sent tingles down Erin’s spine.

"Oh, I’m definitely coming in."

Erin slid into the water barely stifling a gasp as she was enclosed in sudden heat, but she only had eyes for Carson.

Carson’s darkened in mutual desire as Erin loomed over her. Long arms came up to grasp Erin’s hips and then their limbs were sliding together. Erin reached up and slid her fingers into Carson’s hair, her fingers tangling in the silken strands. Slowly she pulled Carson’s face toward her until she could brush their lips together, the overwhelming feelings that rushed through her making the kiss almost hesitant.

Erin gasped as she felt the fullness of Carson’s soft lips. She groaned and closed her eyes, and pressed in a little more until she felt Carson’s lips part under hers. Her tongue eased inside and Carson stroked against it with her own. Carson’s arms were around her waist, holding Erin tight against her amidst the dance of the bubbling hot water and served only to inflame Erin further.

She pulled away gasping for breath and looked down at Carson’s flushed features.

"Suddenly a dip in the hot tub isn’t really what I want."

"Are you trying to seduce me?"

Carson’s voice was light and teasing, but Erin decided she wanted Carson to know the truth…how she truly felt. "No. I want to make love to you."

She could see the knowledge register in Carson’s eyes, heard it in her voice when she gasped, "Erin!"

Erin pulled away and Carson followed. They got out of the hot tub and simultaneously grabbed for towels to absorb the majority of the water flowing down their bodies, but their destination was paramount in both their minds.

Carson started blowing out candles when a loud boom of thunder sounded overhead. Erin was startled for a moment when the lights went out.

"Looks like we’ve lost power," Carson said softly.

Erin looked up into the other woman’s face in the warm glow of moonlight. "That’s all right. We won’t need the lights."

Carson turned toward her bedroom with Erin close behind her. Towels and wet bathing suits were tossed negligently to the floor next to the bed, but Erin stopped Carson from closing the small distance between them. "Wait, I want to look at you."

Small droplets of water still clung to Carson’s skin and outlined her lean frame. One small pearl clung to a coral colored nipple before it dropped and rolled down her flat stomach. Six feet of perfection stood displayed before Erin, a curious mix of timeless womanhood and shy innocence, and she felt almost humbled by the vision.

"You’re so beautiful," Erin breathed.

Carson didn’t answer, but she smiled and pulled the covers back on the bed. She lay down and held them back for Erin much as she had the first time Erin spent the night. Erin gladly climbed onto the mattress and up next to Carson. She gasped at the dual sensation of warm, feminine flesh pressed against her front and cold toes against her feet. Then she dipped her head down and captured Carson’s lips with her own. It began as a tender exploration, but quickly changed to a passionate embrace.

Carson put her arms around Erin and began to caress up and down her back. Erin trailed one hand down Carson’s neck, to her shoulder, and then down to one voluptuous breast. She gently circled the tender skin, stopping just short of the nipple for long agonizing moments before she finally took the hardened flesh between her fingers.

Carson gasped and cried out into Erin’s mouth. Erin pulled back and tweaked the nipple gently. "You feel so good," she groaned. Carson only gasped and began to rock her hips against Erin.

Erin bent her head and licked the swollen nipple before she finally took it into her mouth and began to suck on it greedily. She tortured Carson by alternating between both breasts until the other woman was fairly crying out in frustrated need. Then she kissed her way back up to Carson’s mouth, gently kissing the corner of the lips before Carson managed to seize her lips in a kiss.

Suddenly Erin couldn’t take any more. She had to touch Carson.

She slid her hand away from Carson’s breast and over her stomach. "Spread your legs, darling."

When Carson whimpered and immediately parted her legs Erin gently slid her middle finger into her. Hot flesh grasped her tightly, and Erin groaned, "Oh, Carson!"

She began to stroke in and out, first slowly, then more firmly as Carson responded to her, thrusting against her. Erin bent her head to suckle at a taut nipple, pulling it between her teeth, flicking it with her tongue. Carson’s movements became more insistent and Erin thrust harder, quicker, until Carson was crying out as warm walls began to tighten convulsively, almost painfully around her finger.

Even after the spasms subsided Carson’s body was tense, quivering. Erin took that as an invitation and slid down to take her lover in her mouth. She licked insistently against the hardened ridge of flesh even as she began to thrust inside again. Carson came again almost immediately. The sounds Carson made coupled with her taste was finally too much for Erin and she cried out as her body surrendered to its own release.

When it was over they both collapsed against the mattress panting for breath. When Erin finally found the strength she crawled back up the length of Carson’s body until the other woman could take her in her arms. But if Carson thought Erin was finished with confessions for the night she was wrong.

Erin snuggled against Carson and placed a small kiss on the shell of her ear. "I love you," she whispered. "You don’t have to say anything. I just wanted you to know."

Carson pulled back slightly to look into Erin’s eyes, but when she opened her mouth to speak Erin laid a finger a cross her lips. "Shhh. Go to sleep." She kissed Carson gently and then snuggled into her shoulder.

Carson’s strong arms tightened around Erin, but she was quiet. Erin’s declaration had surprised her, but also elated her. She wanted to tell Erin that she returned her love, but clearly the other woman didn’t expect her to. Maybe it was too soon for Erin to hear it, or she would feel Carson was only saying it because she thought she should and if that was the case Carson was willing to be silent for now.

Content now that she knew her feelings were returned, Carson decided to sleep for now. Later she would make sure Erin understood that there was nothing to fear. Carson did love her in return. Tucked happily into Erin’s arms Carson fell asleep very quickly.

Jim Townsend opened his eyes and then promptly slammed them closed against a blinding headache. He was momentarily confused about where he was, but then everything came rushing back. He was on the floor of a psycho killer’s closet with a murder weapon directly in front of him. That was enough to make him force his eyes open again. He reached up and touched the large bump on his temple, and his fingers came away sticky.

The goose egg was tender to the touch, but at least the bleeding seemed to have stopped.

The flashlight still shown on the bloody axe, but the beam of light had weakened. He guessed that he had been unconscious long enough for the battery to weaken, and he needed to get out of here before Adams came back.

Jim reached for the light and stood up on shaky legs. The clippings of Erin and the other woman came back into view and Jim inherently knew they were in danger. All day he had wondered where Adams went. From the marks drawn through the newspaper photos he guessed he had the answer.

But if this man was the killer, and there was no question of that, then Erin and her friend weren’t the only ones in trouble. What of Mary Adams? Even if he would never hurt his own wife, Adams had clearly left her untended to for hours. He needed to check on Mrs. Adams and call Sean so that he could warn his daughter.

Jim reached into his coat pocket for the cell phone and used the lighted display to call Sean Donovan. Thank God he had saved the number into memory after the last time he talked to the man since Jim didn’t think he could see clearly enough to dial the numbers right now. As he waited for the call to be answered Jim walked toward the bedroom where Mary Adams still sat in a chair.

He assumed she was still in the chair since he was still alive. That meant Adams hadn’t returned yet.

Sean answered sleepily in the middle of the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Sean this is Jim. You’ve got to call Erin and let her know she’s in danger."

Suddenly Donovan was completely awake on the other end of the connection. "What do you mean?"

"I’m in the Adams house. I found a bunch of newspaper clippings about Marsters and a bloody axe. Sean, there are also some clippings with Erin’s picture circled. I think Adams is after her."

"But why? The wife is still alive!"

Sean was clearly in denial, but now was not the time. "I know. I’m checking on her now."

Townsend opened the door and stepped into the bedroom. He was hit instantly by the smell of death. It was an odor he was intimately familiar with because of his former employment, and not something he was likely to mistake for something else.

"Oh, God!"

"What is it?" Sean asked frantically.

Jim didn’t answer. He walked up behind Mary Adams and looked over her shoulder. What he saw made him retch and turn away.

"Oh God, man. She’s dead! From the looks of her I’d say she has been for days, maybe weeks. You’ve got to get hold of Erin. I’ll call the police."

"Look, Jim, I need your help. Erin is out at the old Rockfort place for the weekend. Do you know where it is?"

"Yeah, I did some work for the old man a long time ago. Why?"

"Tell the police that’s where they need to go, and then stop by here to get me. With this storm I don’t know if I’ll be able to get hold of her on the cell phone."

"All right. I’m on my way."

Jim hung up and immediately dialed the police. He ran to the car as he gave the dispatcher the Adams address and told them what he’d found. Later he would worry about breaking and entering charges, but he impressed on them the importance of getting a unit out to where Erin was.

Sean’s club was only ten minutes by expressway, and Jim was already halfway there before he could get the dispatcher to take him seriously.

Carson opened her eyes and looked around groggily in the darkness. She had been sound asleep when something woke her up. At first she couldn’t figure out what it was, but then heard the sound again.

The sound of a ringing phone seemed to come from a great distance. Carson struggled up through a fog of sleep confused by the incongruous sound. She looked over at the phone on the bedside table that remained silent, and wondered where the sound came from. It must be Erin’s cell phone since Carson’s was still in the car.

Carson gently nudged Erin awake.

"Huh, what is it?" Erin asked huskily.

"Your cell is ringing."

"My cell? What time is it?"

Carson looked at the alarm clock while Erin sat up on the edge of the bed. The numerals that normally glowed red were completely dark.

"I don’t know. The power’s still out, but it must be important. No one would call this late unless it was."

Erin’s cell stopped ringing and she thought it must have gone to voicemail. Whoever it was would show on caller I.D., and she would call them back after she put some clothes on.

It had grown cold in the house with the power out for so long, and they were still naked from their earlier lovemaking. Erin was quite content wrapped in the cocoon of shared body heat, but running through the cold house naked wasn’t her idea of fun.

"Do you have something I can put on?"

Carson got up and said, "If you insist, but I was sort of enjoying the view."

"Ha, that’ll be some view when I turn into a block of ice."

Carson handed her a pair of sweats and then grabbed another set for herself. "There’s no telling how long this storm is going to last, so I guess I’d better start the generator."

"While you’re doing that I’ll find out who called."

A crash from downstairs made them freeze and look at each other in sudden fright.

"That was the cup I left on the coffee table," Erin whispered. "Someone’s in the house."

Carson’s eyes widened even more. "I forgot to set the alarm."

Worse, there was nothing upstairs they could use as a weapon.

"My phone!"

Erin ran barefoot across the hall to the guestroom with Carson right behind her. Erin had left the cell phone on the nightstand, but it wasn’t there anymore. The phone was set to vibrate before it rang and she thought it must have fallen to the floor.

Erin dropped to her hands and knees to look for the phone, but she couldn’t find it right off.

"Hurry!"

Erin could hear heavy footsteps downstairs, and almost cried out in frustration. Carson’s phones were all cordless, and with the power out the cell phone was the only way to get help.

Just then the cell phone started to vibrate. The light display came on and Erin snatched the phone up from under the edge of the bed. She flipped it open before it could ring at the same time that Carson grabbed her under the arm and pulled her into the hall.

"We have to get in the attic."

Erin willingly followed Carson, but frantically answered the phone at the same time. "Hello, who is this?"

"Erin, it’s dad. We know who the killer is. It’s Ron Adams. We think he’s going to come after you and Carson."

Carson stopped at the front of the hall near the stairs, and reached up to pull on a cord that hooked into the ceiling. Erin never really noticed it before, but when Carson pulled a trap door dropped into view. A fold out ladder was attached to the door and Erin realized what Carson had in mind.

"He’s already here!" Erin said in a loud, frightened voice.

"We’re on our way, the police our on the way! Erin, hide!"

Heavy footsteps pounded on the stairs, and Erin forgot about the phone. Carson grabbed her and pushed her toward the ladder.

"Go!"

Erin stumbled up the ladder as fast as she could go. Carson was close behind her, but the sound of the man running toward them was louder. The whole world narrowed down until all Erin could see was the opening into the attic.

She lunged through the opening and swung around to look back down at Carson.

Carson’s head was just below the attic entry when the killer suddenly came into view. Erin gasped at the familiar sight of busy black hair, dark beard and beady eyes, but she was also struck by his rapid deterioration since their last encounter.

His right hand was raised high and she could see a glint of moonlight off of a large, wicked-looking blade.

"Carson, look out!"

Erin saw Carson look over her shoulder and how close Adams was to her. She seemed to realize at the same moment as Erin that there was no time for her to escape into the attic. She turned half way on the ladder and drew her left leg up. Then she kicked out as hard as she could.

Carson’s barefoot connected directly with the man’s forehead, and Adams lost his balance as he jerked back. He slashed at Carson with the knife before he lost his balance and fell. He fell a few steps down the landing before he managed to grab the railing.

Carson cried out in pain and Erin started to go back through the entryway to help her. She stopped when Carson shouted, "No!" and started back up the steps.

Adams was on the move again just as Carson got through the opening. She jerked on the rope from above to pull the trap door up just before Adams could grab the ladder.

Erin expected the man to simply pull the cord to open the door again, but Carson was way ahead of him. As soon as the door was closed she pushed a heavy metal bar through two rings mounted on either side of the trap door.

"Help me with this!"

Carson limped over to a trunk sitting against the wall. Even in the scant moonlight through a small attic window Erin could see the trail of blood.

"You’re hurt!"

"No time. Help me push this over the door."

Erin helped push the heavy trunk over the entry, but Adams didn’t give up simply because they were out of sight. She could hear him moving around downstairs, and then something thudded against the wall.

Carson groaned and slumped against the wall, and Erin was beside her in an instant.

"Here. Sit down." Erin grasped Carson by the shoulders and helped her sit on the floor. "We’re safe right now, he can’t get in. That was dad on the phone. The police are on the way."

Erin pushed Carson’s pants leg out of the way to have a look at the wound. The cloth was already saturated with blood, but she needed to see how badly Carson was hurt. The fact that Carson didn’t try to stop her told Erin it was bad.

The noise below them stopped abruptly and captured Erin’s attention as completely as a gunshot would have. She turned to look at the attic door when Adams began to pound on it from below.

"He must have dragged something over to stand on," Carson mumbled.

"It doesn’t matter. He can’t get in."

"He won’t give up."

"Good. He doesn’t know the police are coming either. They’ll get him."

Below them Adams cursed and pounded on the attic door. For a while he seemed to be trying to break in by sawing through the wood with his knife. Erin listened to him, but concentrated on checking Carson’s leg.

The sharp blade had neatly sliced the calf muscle, but she didn’t think any major arteries had been cut. Carson’s quick thinking when she kicked Adams in the head had probably saved her life. Erin shuddered in horror at the thought, but hid her reaction from Carson.

"I don’t think it’s too bad, but we need to get the bleeding stopped."

Carson licked dry lips and looked around the room for something they could use. That was when Erin got her first look at the attic. It wasn’t covered in cobwebs and dust like most attics, and the hardwood floors were polished to a brilliant shine.

"This wasn’t on the tour."

Carson smiled at the small joke. "You know me, I like to be prepared. There’s a small desk over there in the corner. I think I left some shop towels on it."

Erin left her side for only a moment and walked over toward the corner Carson indicated. The table was small and would have been easy to miss in the darkness, but it was there. Erin felt around and found a folded cloth. It smelled like furniture polish, but at least it was something. It went quiet again downstairs, but Erin knew Adams would be back.

She returned to the other woman’s side immediately, but Carson already looked like she was about to nod off. Surely she couldn’t have lost that much blood so quickly!

"Oh no you don’t. Stay awake. Talk to me."

Carson forced her eyes open. "There is something I want to tell you. Just in case we…"

"No! Don’t talk like that. We’re going to be fine."

"Please, Erin. Let me finish." Carson gently cupped Erin’s cheek and said, "I just wanted to tell you that I love you, too. I think I loved you before we actually met. Didn’t you notice how I used to hang around your firm, and how we were always accidentally bumping into each other?"

"I never really…"

Erin’s eyes widened when she realized what Carson was saying. "You mean you were stalking me?"

When Carson blushed and looked away Erin felt her heart melt a little more. All this time she thought of Carson as the self-assured, always in control businesswoman. Carson secretly pining for Erin’s affection didn’t fit that image, but it was so touching that for a moment Erin didn’t know what to say.

"You certainly didn’t sound that way the first time we met in my office," Erin said gently.

"I was afraid."

Something suddenly struck the attic door from below with explosive force. Erin heard the wooden door splinter under the onslaught and looked fearfully toward the noise.

"He must have found the sledgehammer in the garage."

"What are you doing with a sledge hammer?"

The question was reflex; all of Erin’s attention was riveted on the attic door. She didn’t really expect Carson to answer.

"I used it to break through some concrete when I remodeled the basement. The construction workers were positively livid that I wouldn’t get out of the way, but you know me. I had to be in on it to make sure they got everything exactly how I wanted it."

Carson’s voice trailed away and Erin looked up from the wound. Carson’s eyes were closed, and Erin thought she might be about to lose consciousness.

"Carson." Erin grasped her chin with thumb and forefinger, and lifted Carson’s face to get her to open her eyes. "I need you to talk to me, honey."

Thinking furiously for a topic that would keep Carson with her Erin asked, "Your father, you said he blamed you for your mother’s death. What did you mean by that?" It wasn’t a tactful question by any means, but it seemed to do the trick.

Carson sat up a little more and took a deep breath. "When I turned five I got a soccer ball for my birthday. I was outside playing with it and it…got away from me."

Carson took another breath and said, "I didn’t think. I just went after it. It rolled into the street."

Erin closed her eyes suddenly, sure where this story was going.

"My mother saw the truck coming. She grabbed me from behind and tossed me onto the curb. The driver couldn’t stop in time, and she couldn’t get out of the way."

"Oh, Carson. I am so sorry." A part of Erin understood that not only did Carson’s father blame her for the accident, but so did Carson. "Honey, it’s not your fault. You were five years old."

They were interrupted when the wood suddenly cracked again under Adams’ attack, and the large trunk on top shifted to an abrupt downward angle.

"He’s coming through!"

Erin grabbed Carson by the shoulders and started to pull her across the floor toward the dark corner. Her phone started to ring again and Erin dove into the pocket of the sweatpants.

"Erin, it’s us. We’re coming up the driveway!"

"Hurry, dad! We’re in the attic. He’s trying to get in!"

Erin’s phone went dead and a moment later she heard the front door being broken in. Men shouted, and the noise below the attic stopped. An instant later Erin heard Adams shout in rage, and then the cannon-like crack of several gunshots at close range.

All was silence for a few stunned seconds until Erin heard her father shouting for her.

"Erin! Erin, honey, where are you?"

"Dad! We’re up here, in the attic."

Erin rushed over to push the heavy trunk off the attic door, but with the splintered wood it was hard to move. Carson crawled over and lent her strength to the effort and they managed to get the trunk out of the way. Carson threw open the bolt and Erin’s father rushed through the opening.

A second later Erin was being held tightly in her father’s arms. To her surprise he was shaking and Erin saw tears in his eyes when she looked at his face.

"Are you all right?" he asked gruffly.

"I’m all right, but Carson’s hurt."

Sean sniffed and let go of his daughter. He turned to Carson and saw the blood-soaked rag tied around her calf.

"I think we need an ambulance," he shouted downstairs.

"No, I’m all right. I can make it to the hospital on my own."

"At least let us drive you," he said.

Carson nodded, and Erin reached over to take her hand.

"You saved my life, again. If you hadn’t thought to get us up here he would have killed us."

"You don’t have to worry about him anymore," Sean said. "He tried to stab one of the officers when we got upstairs. They had to shoot him."

Erin wanted to be sorry for Adams. No one deserved what he had suffered. But Adams hadn’t confined his revenge to Marsters for the death of a loved one. He had deliberately killed innocent people in his quest for vengeance, and targeted Erin and Carson for seemingly no reason. She was just glad the threat was over.

"Let’s get you to the hospital, love."

Erin and Carson sat close together on the sofa. Carson’s head was tucked under Erin’s chin while they relaxed in front of the fireplace.

Carson’s wound turned out to be moderately severe needing thirty-seven stitches, and she was kept in the hospital overnight. Chicago’s homicide division had taped off Carson’s and the Adams’ homes to conduct a formal investigation so the women were at Erin’s apartment in the Benton until everything could be sorted out.

She held Carson tenderly and thought how sad it all was.

Ron Adams had been a victim. He lost everything when his wife died, and she could only imagine how she would have felt if it had been Carson. Erin knew in the same circumstances anyone could snap, and try to take matters into their own hands.

And even though the events of the last few weeks had been terrifying at times, Erin was strangely grateful. If it weren’t for everything that happened, she wouldn’t be sitting with Carson now. It was far more likely they would still be dancing around each other at work, both of them too afraid to admit to an attraction.

"What are you smiling at?" Carson asked.

"How did you know I was smiling?"

"I could feel your face move."

"I was just thinking how lucky I am to be here with you like this."

"Because of Adams?"

"No, not really. I think we would eventually have found our way here. All Adams did was force us together a little sooner than would have normally happened."

"You think so, huh?"

Erin smiled and kissed the top of Carson’s head. "I know so. But I have to admit, I’m glad dad hired that private investigator. I don’t think the police would have figured out everything in time to save us."

Carson sighed and nodded her head. She snuggled against Erin’s chest and asked, "When’s your dad leaving?"

"Monday. After everything that happened he decided to hang around a few more days. He’s flying Cheryl in for the New Year."

"The girlfriend?"

"Yes, now enough about them. I have a question for you."

Carson pulled away slightly to look up at Erin. "Yes?"

"How soon did you want me to start as Delphi’s attorney?"

Erin grinned at the mixture of surprise, and pleasure on Carson’s face.

"Really?"

"Well, I have always wanted to run my own practice. Of course I would have to have other clients. I can’t live solely on what Delphi would pay me, but yes. I think it would be fun."

"That’s wonderful!" Carson reached up for a quick kiss before she pulled back and said, "Immediately would be great, and of course you would have other clients. You won’t be busy with Delphi all the time."

Erin laughed, and said, "Sorry. You’ll have to wait until Ray comes back. I owe him that at least. Plus I still have the seminar at the end of the month. How does mid-February sound?"

"Perfect, and of course you would start at whatever you’re making now. Now I have a question for you."

"Oh?"

"I like your apartment, and I like my house so I was wondering…?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think we should live here during the week, and keep my house for the weekends?"

Erin was thrown by the question until she realized what Carson was asking. "Are you asking me to move in with you?"

"It does seem like the next logical step."

Leave it to Carson to point out the logic of an issue, Erin thought. But looking into the hopeful, loving face of the woman she would give her life to protect Erin had to agree.

"That sounds like a fabulous idea."