It was inconceivable.
The final paragraphs of the article turned to analysis. “Why did this happen? A full answer will probably never be known, though coworkers had noted a change in Yzereef’s behavior in the weeks prior to the tragedy. Depression, uncharacteristic anger, mumbling under his breath, may have been signals of a mental illness that were unfortunately dismissed. His experiences in the Vietnam War may have contributed to his breakdown.”
Nathan placed the article on the bedside table. Lindsay had curled into a ball beside him, and he wrapped his body around hers. Outside the traffic noises continued unabated. Life always went on in New York City, no matter what sorrows occurred behind the brick faces and curtained windows of the apartment buildings and storefronts that lined the crowded streets.
Nathan couldn’t think. His mind was numb. He supposed it was a form of shock.
He’d suspected he would find out something bad.
But he had never imagined this.
THE NEXT MORNING, LINDSAY sent Nathan out to get a paper while she made a pot of coffee. Considering all she’d been through yesterday, she felt surprisingly well and full of energy today.
Spending the night in Nathan’s arms probably had a lot to do with that.
She’d just filled two mugs with coffee, when Nathan returned. He handed her the Sunday edition of the Daily News. The arrest of Maurice Burchard and Paige Stevens had made the front page, and Fox Investigations was mentioned several times in the accompanying article.
“You are going to be flooded with clients after this,” Nathan predicted.
“Don’t you mean, we?” Lindsay asked hopefully.
“I thought you were opposed to mixing business with pleasure. I was on the verge of going back to the police department, you know.”
She went quiet, knowing that she had to think about what would be best for Nathan, not just what she wanted. “Would that make you happy? To be a cop, again?”
“All I know for sure is that I want to make a difference.”
“Well, you sure made a difference yesterday. You were a true hero. Just like your father. You risked your life and you saved Audrey and me.”
Nathan grinned. “Well. When you put it that way. Which sounds better? Fisher and Fox? Or Fox and Fisher?”
“Fox and Fisher,” she said, intending to argue the point forcefully. There was nothing more she wanted than to work with him by her side…but she had started the business.
Then she realized he’d been yanking her chain, just like that first time, in her office.
“You drive a tough bargain, sweetheart, but Fox and Fisher is fine by me. We are going to need new business cards and stationery, though.”
“On Monday I’ll get Nadine on that.”
“Not to mention new signage for the building.”
“Signage? That sounds permanent.”
Nathan took her left hand and touched the fourth finger. “That’s how I’m thinking. Permanent.”
“Permanent. I like the sound of that.”
Hard to believe she’d ever thought Nathan was anything but the perfect partner. She squeezed his hand, not wanting to ever let him go.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4676-2
PERFECT PARTNERS?
Copyright © 2010 by Carla Daum.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.eHarlequin.com
*Return to Summer Island
*Return to Summer Island
**Three Good Men
**Three Good Men
**Three Good Men
*Return to Summer Island
Perfect Partners? Page 20