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coat.
    Tracy opened the door and immediately put her hands on her hips. She was plainly anxious and irritated. “Kim,it’s almost eight. You said you’d be here by six at the latest.”
    â€œSorry,” Kim said. “It was unavoidable. The second case took longer than anticipated. We ran into an unexpected problem.”
    â€œI suppose I should be used to this by now,” Tracy said. She stepped out of the way and motioned for Kim to step inside. She closed the door behind him.
    Kim glanced into the living room and saw a smart, casually dressed, mid-forties man in a suede fringe jacket and ostrich cowboy boots. He was sitting on the couch, with a drink in one hand and a cowboy hat in the other.
    â€œI would have fed Becky if I’d had any idea it was going to be this late,” Tracy said. “She’s starved.”
    â€œThat’s easy to remedy,” Kim said. “I mean, we are planning on going out to dinner.”
    â€œI wish you would have at least called,” Tracy said.
    â€œI was in surgery and didn’t get out until five-thirty,” Kim said. “It’s not like I was out golfing.”
    â€œI know,” Tracy said with resignation. “It’s all very noble. The problem is, you were the one who picked the time, not me. It’s a matter of consideration. Every second I thought you were about to arrive. Luckily we’re not flying commercial.”
    â€œFlying?” Kim questioned. “Where are you going?”
    â€œAspen,” Tracy said. “I’ve given Becky the number where I can be reached.”
    â€œAspen for two days?”
    â€œI feel it’s time for me to have a little fun in my life. Not that you would know what that is, apart from your surgery, of course.”
    â€œWell, as long as we’re being nasty and sarcastic,”Kim said, “thanks for sending Kelly Anderson to the surgical lounge. That was a pleasant surprise!”
    â€œI didn’t send her,” Tracy said.
    â€œShe said you did.”
    â€œI just told her I thought you were in surgery,” Tracy said.
    â€œWell, it’s the same thing,” Kim said.
    Over Kim’s shoulder, Tracy saw her guest stand up. Sensing he was uncomfortable from undoubtedly overhearing her exchange with her former husband, Tracy motioned to Kim to follow her into the living room.
    â€œEnough of this bickering,” she said. “Kim, I’d like you to meet a friend of mine, Carl Stahl.”
    The two men shook hands and eyed each other warily.
    â€œYou two entertain yourselves,” Tracy suggested. “I’ll run upstairs and make sure Becky has everything she needs. Then we can all go our separate ways.”
    Kim watched Tracy disappear up the stairs. Then his gaze returned to Tracy’s apparent boyfriend. It was an uncomfortable situation, and Kim couldn’t help feel some jealousy, but at least Carl was several inches shorter, with significantly thinning hair. On the other hand, the man was tanned despite its being mid-winter. He also appeared in reasonable physical shape.
    â€œCan I get you a drink?” Carl suggested, motioning toward a bottle of bourbon on a side table.
    â€œDon’t mind if I do,” Kim said. Kim had never been much of a drinker, although over the last six months a nightly cocktail had become a habit.
    Carl put down his cowboy hat and stepped over to the sideboard. Kim noticed he seemed to have a proprietary manner.
    â€œI saw that interview Kelly Anderson did with you amonth or so ago,” Carl said as he shoveled several ice cubes into an old-fashioned glass.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Kim said. “I was hoping most people missed it.”
    Carl splashed a generous dollop of liquor over the ice and then handed the drink to Kim. He sat back down on the couch next to his cowboy hat. Kim lowered himself into a facing club chair.
    â€œYou have a right to be angry about it,” Carl