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careful, you know.”
    Stephanie grinned, and Michele’s face turned red with embarrassment. After a few moments, they all started laughing. As the laughter died down, Kruger said, “What time are you two going shopping?”
    “Early, then I have a few things I need to get done before tomorrow night,” Stephanie said.
    “Great, that will give Michele and me time tomorrow to run a few errands,” said Brian. “Right now I’d like to walk around The Plaza and show her some of the sights. Do you two want to go?”
    Kruger shook his head. “No, you two go have fun. We need to clean up.”
    After they left, he and Stephanie started gathering the dishes. As they loaded the dishwasher, she said, “While you were at the grocery store this afternoon, I got a disturbing phone call from my assistant at the office.”
    His turned his attention to her and frowned. “What about?”
    “It seems a private equity group is trying to take over the company. Have you ever heard of a firm called Whiterock Equities?”
    He shook his head, “Nope, but then, I don’t deal in financial crimes. Why was the call so disturbing?”
    “I’m not really sure. She didn’t go into detail, but Sally was very upset. Rumors have been flying all over the office this week. Kind of glad I wasn’t there. Apparently this group is famous for buying a company, firing all the top management, breaking it up and selling pieces off to get their money back. I’ve never heard of them.”
    “Is this just a rumor or something else?”
    “Sally said the CEO of the Whiterock is in town next week for a board of directors meeting. The investment firm has already bought enough shares to demand a seat on the board. From what I was told, once that happens, they just continue to buy shares until Whiterock owns a majority of the company and they control the board.”
    “Give me an old-fashioned crazy guy any day. At least you know his intentions when you see him running at you with a knife.”
    She lightly hit his arm with her fist. “You aren’t taking this seriously. This could be a problem down the road.”
    “For whom?” he smiled as he said it.
    “Both of us. We might have to rethink our remodeling plans. What if I lose my job before the baby gets here, what then?”
    “You aren’t going to lose your job.”
    “Sean, as smart as you think you are, you’re clueless when it comes to the ways of big corporations.”
    “Oh, I am? How many corporations have you raided lately?” He was beginning to enjoy the bantering and grabbed her around the waist as he said it.
    She put her hands on his chest and feebly—but briefly—tried to free herself from his embrace. Placing her head on his chest, she sighed.
    “I know, I’m being paranoid. I’m so glad I have you. For the first time in my adult life, I have something besides my career to think about. But I just don’t need a crisis at work right now.”
    He kissed the top of her head and embraced her tightly. “Well, whatever happens we’ll get through it together.” Kruger paused. “Hey, I could get Mint Dollar to arrest him.”
    She pushed away, frowned and looked up at him. “It’s not funny. I’m worried about this.”
    “Okay, if you’re really concerned, I’ll call a friend in D.C. Who should I ask about?”
    Stephanie gave him the name, and he went to his office. Closing the door, he found the number he was looking for on his iPhone and pressed the call icon. His call was answered on the second ring, “Detective Clark, Homicide.”
    Kruger smiled. He knew Clark would still be working on a Friday night.
    “Ryan, it’s Sean Kruger. How are you tonight?”
    “Sean, good to hear from you. Thanks for getting the Rousch case off my desk so quickly. I knew it was beyond our jurisdiction. What’s up?”
    “What was the name of the Secret Service agent with you last Friday? Ed or Ted something?”
    “That was Ted Margolin, good guy. I’ve known him for a long time. He used to be with our