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death.

No, this wasn't right. While one arm tightened around her, his other hand snaked to her breast. What was the man doing? Bracing herself to push away, she froze when heavy footfalls sounded from behind.

"Here you are," Dalton Vail announced. "I've been looking for you."

Whirling around, Marla swallowed at the grim expression on his face. Behind her, Stan cleared his throat.

"Which one of us do you mean?" Stan demanded with a hint of bravado.

"I wanted Marla, but maybe you're staking a prior claim?"

Marla glanced from one to the other, feeling as though they stood on a battlefield. Stan returned her glance, his eyes speculative. Surely he didn't believe she still felt some attraction toward him? Her gaze swung to Vail, who'd traded his signature suit for jeans, a flannel shirt, and a black leather jacket. His mood appeared as dark as a level-one hair color.

Stan raised his hands. "I ended my claims long ago, unless Marla's had a change of heart. I think she knows what she's been missing. Or does she get it from you?"

"That's none of your business," Vail grated.

His fist clenched, and Marla feared they'd come to blows. But the detective reined his temper, no doubt saving it to take out on her later.

"Well, I was just leaving," Stan said, backing away. "Bye, Marla."

"What's going on between you and Kaufman?" Vail demanded after Stan's car squealed from the parking lot.

Marla shivered in the cool night air. "It was a friendly kiss. He didn't mean anything special by it."

"The two of you seemed pretty snug."

"That's because he surprised me. Don't worry, Stan doesn't affect me the way you, er, I mean..." She moistened her lips, aware he watched every movement. "S-Stanley is grateful because I'm helping him out."

"Really?" His tone held a dangerous edge. "I'll drive you home, and then you can tell me all about it."
----
*Chapter Four*

"It wouldn't be a good idea for you to come to my house," Marla said after she'd unlocked her car door.

"Why not?" A beam of light from a street lamp shimmered on the silvery highlights of Vail's dark hair.

Marla's breath came short at his nearness. Facing him, she leaned against her car, the driver's door unopened. "You're working on a case that involves me. It isn't smart to mix business with pleasure."

"Is that what we're doing?" He lifted his arms to pin her in place against the vehicle's metal body.

"You're too close, Dalton."

"Am I?" He nuzzled her neck, inhaling as though he enjoyed her scent.

"I intend to prove Stan is innocent."

That jolted him. Abruptly, he stepped back. "Just what is it you've agreed to do for him?"

She drew in a deep breath. Trust had to begin somewhere, didn't it? "Kimberly's grandmother employs a daily nurse. The woman needs a day off, so Stan said I should apply for the position of health aide on Sundays. It shouldn't be so hard to look after an old lady for one day. Stan believes one of Kim's family members might have bumped her off to gain her inheritance since they had a prenuptial agreement. I'm supposed to snoop around the estate. In return, Stan will sell me his half of our jointly owned property."

"Hmm. Having an insider there could prove useful."

"You mean you're not angry?" An imaginary weight lifted off her shoulders.

"Would it stop you if I disapproved of this masquerade?"

"Not really."

"I still think Stan has his own motive and is trying to throw us off track."

"Undoubtedly you'll be investigating that angle." She couldn't believe his easy acceptance. "What do you say we exchange information?"

"Sure."

She tugged on her skirt. "You've never been so agreeable before. You're always warning me to stay away from your cases."

His eyebrows raised. "Marla, you advised me at Taste of the World that I have to let you take risks. That goes for our relationship, too. I won't be able to tell you everything, but I'm sure you know that."

"Yes, I do."

"Good. I'll interview Kim's friends and neighbors,