LITMIR.BIZ

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His eyes hardened. “And God only knows how many more will die.” Like Marietta.

      A weighted silence stretched between them until she mentally shook herself and asked, “All right. What happens next?”

      He searched her face for a long minute, then smiled and said, “Dinner.”

      They drove to a small restaurant that overlooked Lake Washington. Carolyn had never been there before, and she was relieved to see that it was a low-key, family-owned establishment that offered a modest menu.

      “I found it when I was looking for a home-cooked meal,” Adam volunteered when they were seated by a window with brightly colored café curtains.

      Even though Carolyn had missed lunch, she had little appetite. She ordered a seafood salad, while Adam opted for roast beef, mashed potatoes and peas. As she sipped a glass of white wine, she was grateful that his easy conversation didn’t demand any forced participation. He seemed to know that small talk was all she could handle while she collected her thoughts. It wasn’t until she was nearly finished with her salad that she felt like asking some nagging questions.

      “Is it really true that you’re from New Mexico?”

      “Of course it’s true. Would I lie?” he asked in mock indignation.

      “Only with every other breath,” she said, returning his teasing smile. “All that stuff about you being an efficiency expert. You expect people to believe that?”

      “It’s the best cover we could come up with. I needed an identity that would allow me to examine everything inherent in Horizon’s production and sale of pharmaceutical drugs. I think the cover will work. With your cooperation, of course.”

      “You’re sure about this?”

      “I’d be lying if I promised you a hundred-percent guarantee of success. There are myriad ways that the whole thing could fall apart. That’s why both of us will have to watch our steps carefully.”

      She tensed. “I’ve never been very good at make-believe. What if I foul up?”

      “We have to make certain that doesn’t happen. You did very well tonight with Rosie.” He smiled reassuringly. “If you can fool your closest friend, you shouldn’t have any trouble with a bunch of strangers.”

      “I’m going to be dumped into the lives of people who have every reason to hate my guts. You can bet that there won’t be any welcome mat put out for me. I have no idea how I should behave in such a high-class environment. I’ve never known any people with money, never even visited anyone who lives in a mansion.”

      “That’s all right,” he replied quickly. “Maybe you’ll do something that doesn’t quite fit, but people will expect you to make mistakes. And that’s good, because it will disarm them.”

      “So the dumber I look and act, the better?” Her tone was slightly caustic.

      “I didn’t mean that at all,” he said with a chuckle. “I just meant that you will be faced with some unexpected challenges, and I want you to be careful, that’s all.”

      “Careful not to make a fool of myself? I can’t promise anything in that regard.” Carolyn had had some unpleasant experiences at the hospital with people who tried to throw their weight and wealth around when the rules and procedures didn’t suit them. “I have no idea how to relate to rich people,” she admitted.

      “You’ll learn. Their focus in life is fashioned by tradition and the affluent world in which they live. They have hidden agendas and structure their behavior according to what’s deemed acceptable in their social stratum.”

      “You know all this because…?” As the lines on his forehead deepened, she had her answer. “You come from money, don’t you.”

      “Not anymore. My father was a New York stockbroker,” Adam told her. “I was an only child and had every advantage when I was growing up—prep school, college, the whole works. My senior year, the market dropped out from under my father’s investments, and he lost almost everything. His heart couldn’t take the strain, and when he died, my mother was left with a small income. She moved to New Mexico to live. When I came back from Brazil, I spent some time with her.” He gave Carolyn a rueful smile. “So you see, I was almost telling the truth when I said I was from there.”

      She should have known. Everything about him suggested a privileged upbringing. His polished manner and easy confidence. His suit had obviously been tailored to fit. His fingernails appeared nicely cared for, and the cut of his dark hair accented his strong, masculine features. He could enter any elite social gathering and blend in without effort. How could she even make a pretense of being his wife?

      She lowered her eyes as she imagined him in a tuxedo, perfectly groomed at a country club party, or lounging beside a fashionable swimming pool, a martini in his hand. The vision of him in only swimming trunks stirred an unbidden warmth—one that caused an instant denial to shoot through her. She couldn’t be attracted to him on that level. There absolutely couldn’t be anything sexual between them. He’d made it clear that he was only interested in her as a means to conduct his investigation. She’d be a fool if she allowed herself to make anything more of it than that.

      “I’m not sure I’m up to playing out this charade,” she said defensively. Not only were her own emotions getting in the way, but the likelihood of her causing him embarrassment seemed too great. She had an unpleasant childhood memory of the time some rich woman had invited a bunch of orphans to her house for a party. Carolyn had been so nervous she’d turned the whole plate of ice cream and cake over in her lap. Even now, she shuddered at the recollection. Just making the lifestyle transition she faced would be difficult enough, but having him privy to every word and mishap made it even worse.

      “I want to make this as easy on you as possible, Carolyn. I’ll do my best to arrange things so you don’t feel threatened in any way. I promise to make no demands that aren’t vital to the success of my investigation.” He paused. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”

      She knew then that he was aware of the attraction that had flared between them. She nodded. “All of this is just part of a business arrangement. Nothing more.” She realized she was addressing herself as much as him.

      “Right. As for getting married, there’s no need for anything but a civil service, one we’ll have as quickly and quietly as possible. We can dispense with everything else.”

      Everything else? All the dreams? All expectations of someday being a bride in white lace and satin? To love and to cherish? She had always thought that someday she’d hear those poignant words, and she’d never feel lonely again. Getting married would be a beginning of a new life and the ending of an old one.

      “All we need are the official credentials of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Lawrence,” he assured her. “And you’ll need to go by Carolyn Lawrence until this is over. For your protection, Mr. Bancroft will go over any legal matters that might come up while the investigation is going on.”

      Investigation, he had said, not marriage. Just a business arrangement. Of course, that was all it was. No reason for her to get sentimental about taking vows that meant nothing. In a way that was what her life had been up till now. Pragmatic. Realistic. No reason for her to view a wedding ring on her finger as anything but a cold circle of metal.

      “How soon should we do this?” she asked, putting her hands in her lap and clasping them tightly.

      “Bancroft will make arrangements for you to move into the house and will finalize all the business arrangements. Just a matter of a few days, I think.”

      “So soon?” She forced a light laugh. “You really know how to rush a girl off her feet.”

      “The sooner we get into position, the better.”

      Get into position. That’s the way he was viewing this whole marriage arrangement. Professional. Unemotional. Nonpersonal. The moment had come when she was either going to believe him or walk away.

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