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stared after her blankly. “Concussion?” he asked Ada.
    Ada laughed, going to help her friend in the kitchen.
    “It’s working,” she whispered as they filled a tray. “He thinks you’re sick.”
    “When hasn’t he?” Kati muttered. She sliced some pound cake, added some dessert plates, forks and napkins to their coffee service, and carried the loaded tray into the living room.
    Egan was sprawled in the big armchair that he’d appropriated since his arrival. He glared up from its depths as Kati put the tray down on the coffee table.
    “I said I wasn’t hungry,” he repeated.
    “Oh, the cake isn’t for you,” Kati said sweetly. “It’s for Ada and me.”
    That seemed to make him worse. He sat up and took the cup of black coffee Kati poured him, sipping it. He seemed to brighten all at once. “Too weak,” he said, staring at her.
    She ignored the challenge. “Is it?” She tasted hers. “Yes,” she lied, “it certainly is. I’ll make some more.”
    “Don’t bother,” he returned curtly, leaning backwith the cup and saucer held on the palm of one large, lean hand. “It’ll do.”
    She nibbled at her cake and idly watched television. The program they had chosen was a romantic comedy about detectives.
    “Isn’t he dashing?” Ada sighed as the leading man came into view.
    “Oh, rather,” Kati said theatrically. “So handsome.” She glanced at Egan with a lifted eyebrow.
    Egan glanced back at her with hard eyes. But he didn’t say a word.
    “Did you settle that business with our stockbroker?” Ada asked when the commercial came on.
    “Yes,” Egan replied curtly. He finished his coffee and stood up. “I think I’ll get some sleep. It’s been a trying day. Good night.” He walked out without a word to Kati.
    “It’s barely nine,” Ada murmured, scowling after him. “Egan never goes to bed this early.”
    “Maybe it’s his conscience bothering him,” Kati suggested. “About the abominable way he’s been treating me?”
    “Dream on, my best friend” came the sighing reply.
    The phone rang and Ada dragged herself over to answer it, brightening when she heard the caller. “It’s Marshal!” she whispered to Kati.
    Kati grinned. Ada’s boyfriend had been away for several weeks, and the joy of homecoming was in hereyes. She moved the phone into the hall while Kati finished watching television.
    “He wants us to double up tomorrow night at the Rainbow Grill. Want to ask Jack?” Ada asked.
    “I’d love to, but Jack’s still out of town. How about Friday night?”
    “Fine! I’ll make sure it’s okay with Marshal.”
    “You’ll make sure what’s okay?” Egan asked, stopping in the doorway with his tie in his hand and his shirt unbuttoned over his broad chest.
    “A date, Friday night,” Ada volunteered. “Want to come along? I’ve got a super girlfriend—”
    “I can get my own women,” he said with a tilt of his mouth. “Friday? I’ll ask Jennie. What time?”
    Kati’s heart sank, and it showed in her eyes. Egan happened to look her way; he smiled with pure malice.
    “What’s the matter, honey, will I cramp your style if I come along?” he asked her.
    Kati remembered almost too late the role she’d chosen to play. Polite hostess. No personalities. No hostilities. Christmas. Good cheer.
    She gritted her teeth. “You’re welcome, of course,” she said with a frozen smile.
    Egan’s heavy eyebrows lifted. “My God, get a doctor,” he told Ada.
    Kati smiled even brighter. “Now, I think I’ll say good night, too. I have this headache…”
    “But it’s only nine,” Ada wailed. “Don’t both of you go to bed and leave me alone.”
    “Don’t you want peace and quiet?” Egan asked his sister.
    Ada glanced from one to the other of them and sighed. “Well, I think I’ll come, too. I need my beauty sleep, I guess.”
    “Some of us might benefit from it,” Kati muttered, glaring up at Egan.
    He chuckled softly. “Think I’m ugly?”
    She flushed.