Last Breath by Mariah Stewart

Author:Mariah Stewart [Stewart, Mariah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780345500168
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2007-07-30T22:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

“I thought I smelled coffee.” Daria came through the swinging kitchen door.

“I hope you don’t mind.” Connor looked up from the folder he was reading. “I’m used to getting up early.”

“I’d be crazy to object to someone making my coffee in the morning.” She smiled when she noticed the mug he’d left next to the pot for her. “Thank you. This was thoughtful of you.”

“Just as easy to make enough for two.” He shrugged without looking up. “Did you sleep?”

“Not really. I kept thinking about the break-in, and what happened to those people. But I was glad you were here.” She filled the mug and took a sip. “This is really good.”

“Thanks. You know I’m armed and can handle anything that might happen, right?”

“I really hadn’t thought about you being armed. I just figured you could handle it.” She paused. “Are you armed right now, this minute?”

He reached a hand behind his back and held up a black handgun.

“Oh.”

“Does it make you nervous?”

“Not as nervous as thinking about having my tongue cut out.”

He smiled and slid the gun back into the holster at the small of his back.

“Have you seen Sweet Thing?” Daria leaned back against the counter.

“I took her out earlier. She heard me moving around and came into my room, so I brought her down with me and we took a little walk. Last I saw her, she was sleeping on the top step.”

“She’s outside alone?” Daria frowned. “What if she runs away? Or chases someone?”

“She has been extremely well trained. When you tell her to stay, she stays.”

“You think she’s still there?”

“Go on. Take a look. I will bet you anything she’s still right there on the top step.” Connor slid several sheets of paper from the folder and appeared to be studying them.

“Anything?” Daria stopped halfway to the door. “You’re that sure?”

“I am.”

“Good. We’ll bet your car.”

“Wait a minute—”

“Hey, your idea.” Daria peeked out through the glass. The dog was standing on the top step, looking up at her. “And oh, my, that idea is certainly going to cost you.”

“You’re bluffing.” Connor was in the doorway behind her.

“You think?”

“If that dog wasn’t right there, you’d already be outside looking for her.”

“I’m that transparent?”

“Sorry, but yes.”

“Damn.” She opened the door and the dog came in, wagging her tail. “I did get your attention though, didn’t I?”

“Daria, you got my attention a long time ago.” He was leaning against the doorjamb, coffee mug in his hand.

She tried to think of something clever to say, but could not. When she realized she was blushing, she put her head down and fussed with the dog. By the time a response had come to her, he’d gone back into the kitchen alone.

“What is on your agenda today?” Connor was at the table, acting as if he had not just thrown a pitch she hadn’t bothered to take a swing at.

“I have a meeting with Louise in about twenty minutes.” Daria filled Sweet Thing’s water bowl at the sink.

“Then what?”

She shrugged. “Just work.

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