Pulse Points

“Not as well as I’d like.”

Tanner shot her a warning glance.

She laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not about to jump your bones.”

“I fail to see the humor in that.” His tone was short.

“Lighten up, okay?” Her eyes sparked. “Until you come around, I’m happy jumping someone else’s bones.”

He ignored that last statement, though he fought the urge to throttle her. If she wasn’t so good at her job, he might have fired her on the spot. But she was good and without her strategy expertise, he doubted he would cross the finish line a winner.

“So again, what’s up?” Irene peered at her watch. “I should be on my way to Dallas even as we speak. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m due at Randolph’s at noon.”

“You won’t be going.”

“I won’t?”

“The Randolph Agency is no longer working for me.”

Her jaw went slack. “Why not?”

“I fired them.”

“You what?” she demanded on a gasp.

“You heard me. I fired them.”

“But…but that’s crazy, especially when the election’s only three months away.”

“I’ve made up my mind.”

“Well, minds can be changed,” she said in a harsh tone.

That raised his ire, possibly because that was what Jack had pointed out. Dammit, he knew what he was doing. They would just have to trust him. “Don’t push your luck, Irene.”

The color deserted her face, but her tone remained sharp. “So what do you propose to do?”

“Hire another agency, of course.”

“Here?”

“Yes.”

She opened her mouth only to snap it shut, clearly at a loss as to how to deal with this latest turn of events.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“You have no idea,” she responded with unveiled sarcasm.

He ignored that. “I’m hoping to hire the Parker Agency.”

She lunged to her feet. “What’s the matter with you, Tanner? The owner just got popped, for God’s sake.”

“I realize that,” he said, struggling to hang on to his patience and his temper.

Irene merely looked at him.

“Shirley has a partner.”

“Which doesn’t mean shit. Clients have been deserting the Parker firm like rats on a sinking ship for a long time now, and you know that. Granted, there seems to be no reasonable explanation, but that shouldn’t matter.” Irene paused as though to get a breath. “The fact that it’s happening should be enough to stay away.”

“The partner’s husband was an old friend of mine.”

“So?”

“So, I’m going to hire her.” Tanner’s eyes narrowed on her. “Do you have a problem with that?”

“You’re damn right I do.”

He hadn’t consulted her first. Tanner suspected that was what fueled her anger. She wanted to micromanage everything that concerned him. Mainly his life. Not going to happen.

“So where does that leave us?” he asked.

Irene tapped her foot. “I’m not sure.”

“Is that a threat?”

“Maybe.” Irene walked to the door, then turned. “Screw it. I’ll talk to you later when we’re both calmer.”

Once she was gone, Tanner plopped down in his chair and put his head in his hands.

The tearoom was hopping. But then it usually was at noon. Hectic or not, Kasey loved eating there because it was also a gift shop with lots of pretties. Today, however, she wasn’t in the mood to meander and finger the goods. Instead she was taking advantage of her cousin’s company as they sat at a table for two.

“I’m sorry about Shirley,” Ginger Davenport said, once the waitress had taken their orders.

Ginger was not only her first cousin but a dear friend whose company had moved her here from Houston several years ago. At thirty-eight she was one year older than Kasey, and in the process of getting a divorce. Tall and willowy, she had wide-set hazel eyes and a thin mouth that she made more generous with a lip pencil.

The fact that Ginger lived in Rushmore had been another reason why leaving Dallas after so many years hadn’t been so overwhelming to Kasey.

Yet they didn’t see each other as often as Kasey would’ve liked. Ginger worked for a high-powered investment firm and traveled often. When they did get together, however, they made the most of it.

“I’m devastated,” Kasey responded, “for more reasons than one.”

“I’m sure.” Ginger leaned closer and lowered her voice. “It scares the hell out of me to think that someone you worked with got murdered. I’m guessing you don’t have a clue as to why.”

“You’re right, I don’t.” Kasey’s voice shook. “I saw her get shot.” She hadn’t planned on blurting out that shocking piece of news. It seemed to have just rolled off her tongue.

Ginger’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth as if to stifle a cry. After a moment, she wheezed, “You were the witness the paper mentioned?”