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eventually.
    “I’ll spare you more questions now; we’ve kept your friend waiting long enough. But we have some plans to discuss. Like they say, we can’t go on meeting like this.”
    One eyebrow came up. “How can we go on meeting, then?”
    “I have a plan which will require some Thespian skill, but since you grew up in politics, that should be easy.” He gave her a slow smile. “Isadora, tonight will mark the beginning of a beautiful, or at least, plausible romance.”
    “Ah. Just what I’ve been waiting for.”
    “No doubt. Anyway, it’ll give us an excuse to see a great deal of each other in the future. I’ll have dinner at the Surf House—you are playing tonight?” Then at her nod, “I want to be sure your night man is there when we ‘meet.’ We’ll need a signal. The Chopin Fantasy Impromptu, you know it?”
    “Of course.”
    “When he arrives, play the Fantasy, as written, but only the—well, the ‘I’m Always Chasing Rainbows’ theme.”
    She laughed delightedly. “A musical code—marvelous.”
    “Almost inevitable in this case. When I get your signal, I’ll set up our introduction with Max. This won’t be love at first sight, but make it clear you’re at least interested.”
    “I think I can manage that. You’re considered Holliday Beach’s most eligible bachelor, you know.”
    “Mrs. Early has been trying to remedy that for years. Now, I want you to memorize a telephone number: 779-7070.”
    She reached for her purse. “I’d better make a note—”
    “I said memorize.” He repeated the number, and she hesitated, then closed her eyes, concentrating.
    “779-7070. Right?”
    “Right. That’s only for emergencies. It’s a special line. A while back I had some trouble with bugs in my phone, so a friend of mine, who happens to be an electronic genius, put in the special line. But, Dore, if you call me, be careful. Your phone at the cottage is probably bugged.”
    She nodded wearily. “I was afraid it might be.”
    “I’ll check it as soon as possible.” He looked at his watch and rose. “You’d better get back to the beach now. Your friend might go looking for you if you’re gone too long.” He felt her tension at that, but assumed it was only the reference to her watcher.
    But as he walked with her out onto the patio, he began to realize her strained silence had another source. She glanced almost furtively into the low brush near the path, so distracted his voice startled her.
    “What’s wrong, Dore?”
    “Oh, nothing, really. It’s just that—well, your back entrance is a little primeval.” When he made no response except a level gaze that demanded further explanation, she sighed. “I have sort of a—a thing about…snakes.”
    He felt strangely relieved; perhaps because her willingness to explain meant this wasn’t a restricted area. But he didn’t dismiss it lightly. Her tone might be casual, but her eyes were telling a different story. Phobia.
    “Does company help? I’ll walk you down to the beach.” Her quick laugh brimmed with relief.
    “Yes, it helps. Thank you. Oh, I forgot to ask—I mean, about your…fee, or whatever.”
    “I’ll expect carte blanche on my expenses. I warned you I’d be calling in reinforcements.”
    “But, what about—”
    “As for my fee, it’s beyond price.”
    She studied him skeptically. “And what is it?”
    “Something money can’t buy me. A private concert, with you at the Bösendorfer.”
    A smile curved her lips, giving her eyes a warm light. “That hardly seems fair; it would be so much my pleasure. But it’s yours, whenever you want it.”
    “I’ll have to earn it first. Come on, I’ll blaze the trail down to the beach.”

CHAPTER 5
    It promised to be one of those clear, spectrum-shaded sunsets, but the sun was still a good twenty degrees above the horizon, reflected in a molten glare from the ocean. Conan stood at the library windows, watching the waves smoothing the dimpled pattern of footprints in