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he hasn't.”

    “Harry's father, my Uncle Sean, used to own an amusement show,” Josh explained.

    “Those days,” Harry said softly, “are long gone.”

    “Don't let Aunt Evie hear you say that,” Josh cautioned. “She's already pissed off enough as it is because of the way you turned your back on your heritage.”

    “What heritage?” Molly asked, enthralled.

    “Good question,” Harry said.

    “Come on, now, Harry, I'm shocked at your lack of respect for the Trevelyan traditions.” Josh turned to Molly. “Trevelyans have been doing carnival psychic acts and motorcycle stunts, telling fortunes, throwing knives, and racing cars for generations.”

    Molly was dumbfounded. The notion of Harry Stratton Trevelyan, Ph.D. and all-around know-it-all as a descendant of a long line of carnies, stuntmen, and race-car drivers was mind-boggling. “This is a joke, right?”

    “It's no joke,” Josh assured her. “Look at me. I'm carrying on the proud tradition, myself. At least until the end of summer. I go back to the University of Washington in the fall.”

    “What's your summer job?” Molly asked.

    “I set up and operate rides in the Smoke & Mirrors Amusement Company,” Josh said. “Aunt Evangeline owns the business. Several members of my family work in it. My grandfather travels with the show, too.”

    “Your grandfather?”

    “Right. Grandpa's been involved in racing all of his life.” Josh glanced briefly at Harry. “Smoke & Mirrors is doing a fair in Hidden Springs at the moment. There's stock car racing in the evenings. Grandpa is one of the best mechanics around. He works in the pits.”

    “I see,” Molly said. “Where's Hidden Springs? I don't think I've ever heard of it.”

    “That's because it's so well hidden,” Josh said smoothly. “It's about an hour's drive from here. North and slightly east toward the Cascades. Farm country. Smoke & Mirrors always does well there. The poor townies haven't had any real excitement since we played their local fair last summer.”

    “Speaking of which,” Harry interrupted. “What are you doing here tonight? You're supposed to be working.”

    “Aunt Evangeline said I could sneak over to Seattle to see you, Harry.” The good-natured amusement faded in Josh's eyes. “I wanted to talk to you about some stuff. Sorry I interrupted your evening.”

    “You should have called,” Harry said.

    “I tried.” Josh shrugged. “I got the answering machine.”

    Harry's mouth twisted slightly. “I turned off the phones.”

    Josh looked surprised. “Yeah? You always take calls from family when you're home.”

    “I made an exception tonight, okay?” Harry said coolly. “Why didn't the doorman use the intercom to tell me you were on the way up?”

    “I told Chris that I wanted to surprise you,” Josh said.

    “Hey, don't worry about it,” Molly said quickly before Harry could continue to grill his cousin. “I was about to leave, anyway.”

    Harry's amber eyes gleamed with impatience. “There's no need for you to leave. We haven't finished our business.”

    Molly winced. “No problem. We can discuss it tomorrow.”

    She'd hoped that in the excitement of Josh's arrival Harry had forgotten that she'd lost her temper and fired him. What in the world had gotten into her? she wondered. Firing Harry meant never having an excuse to see him again.

    That thought sent a chill through her bones. She got to her feet.

    “Don't leave on my account.” Josh backed hastily toward the front door. “I'll just go down to the lobby and read or something. Chris won't mind. He likes the company.”

    “Nonsense.” Molly briskly straightened her jacket. “It's nearly eleven. You two obviously have personal things to discuss, and I need my sleep. I've got a business to run. Harry, will you call a cab?”

    Harry's jaw tightened. “I'll drive you home.”

    “There's no need. A cab will be fine.”

    “I said, I'll see you home,” Harry repeated