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touch me.

As soon as I get you to the house and get some-thing hot inside you.

She pulled her arm away from him. I dont have time to sit around having coffee. I have to call the in-surance company.

Ill do it. He nudged her gently up the steps and into the kitchen. Ill handle everything.

I dont want you to handle everything. I want you to go away.

Then be quiet and let me get you something to drink. He pushed her down into a chair at the table. Its the quickest way to get rid of me.

I dont want to sit She gave up. She was in no shape to do battle just then. Hurry up.

Yes, maam. He turned toward the cabinet. Wheres the coffee?

In the blue canister on the counter.

He ran water into the carafe. When did it happen?

Last night. Sometime after midnight.

You locked the lab?

Of course I did.

Easy. He measured coffee into the coffeemaker. You didnt hear anything?

No.

Im surprised, with all that damage.

Joe said he knew exactly what he was doing.

He turned on the coffeepot. Any idea who did it?

She shook her head. No fingerprints. Gloves maybe.

He took a cardigan from a hook on the laundry room door. Gloves. Then it wasnt done by amateurs.

I told you that.

He draped the sweater over her shoulders. So you did.

And this is my mothers sweater.

You need it. I dont think shed mind.

She did need it. She couldnt stop shivering.

He picked up the phone.

What are you doing?

Im calling my personal assistant, Margaret Wilson. Whats the name of your insurance company?

Security America, but you dont

Hello, Margaret. John, he said into the phone. I need you to Yes, I know its a Saturday. He listened patiently. Yes, Margaret. Its a terrible imposi-tion. Im duly grateful for your forbearance. Now, will you shut up and let me tell you what I need?

Eve stared at him in surprise. Whatever she had expected, it was not Logan browbeaten by one of his employees.

He grimaced at Eve, still listening. Now? he repeated into the phone.

Evidently this time the answer was an affirma-tive, because he said, Make a report to Security America for Eve Duncan. He spelled the last name. Break-in, vandalism, and possible theft. If you need details or verification, call Joe Quinn, Atlanta P.D. I want a claims investigator out here right away, and arrange for a cleaning crew. I want that lab spick-and-span by midnight. He sighed. No, I dont want you to fly out here and do it yourself, Margaret. Sarcasm isnt necessary. Just take care of it. I dont want Eve Duncan bothered with anything more than signing her name to a claim report. I also want a security force out here protecting the property and Eve and Sandra Duncan. Call me if you run into any trouble. No, Im not doubting your efficiency, I just He lis-tened a moment more and then said gently but firmly, Good-bye, Margaret. He hung up, then reached into the cabinet for a cup. Margaret will take care of it.

She doesnt want to.

She just wants to make sure I never take her for granted. If Id done it myself, she would have accused me of not trusting her to take care of it. He poured hot coffee into the cup. Cream or sugar?

Black. Has she been with you a long time?

Nine years. He set the coffee down in front of her. We need to go back out there and collect any-thing that you dont want the insurance investigator going through.

I dont think I need to hurry. She took a sip of coffee. Ive never seen an insurance company work that fast.

Trust Margaret. Someone will be here soon. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down op-posite her. Shell regard it as a challenge.

I dont know Margaret, so I cant trust her. Just as I cant trust you. She met his gaze. And I dont need any private security force out here. Joes going to have a police car keep an eye on us.

Good. But a few extra precautions never hurt anybody. They wont get in your way. He studied her as he took a swallow of his coffee. Your color is better. I thought you were going to flip out.

She did feel better. The shaking had eased a