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Her friend hadButtercup and Sherlock, who seean to read her next brief, a knock sounded at her office door It was Deputy Mike Lusk "There’s ato see you, na him over?"

Olivia hesitated briefly, then said, "Please Show him in"

The deputy nodded "I’ll wait outside until you’re through"

"I’d appreciate that"

Soon, an attractive man, probably in his midforties, was escorted into her chae Olivia Griffin?" he asked, extending his hand

She nodded and they exchanged brisk handshakes

"I’m David Rhodes, Ben’s son It appears we’re related!"

Olivia re some story about David; however, whatever it was didn’t immediately come to mind She did recall that her mother and Ben had joined him in Seattle for dinner Her mother had raved about the restaurant and the wonderfulJustine had said; apparently she’dfor a few minutes of your time, if that would be possible" He didn’t wait for a response but walked into her office and iuest chair

"Of course," she said, her tone a little ironic "Make yourself colanced at her watch "I told my husband I’d be home by five-forty-five, so we can talk for ten or fifteen s, and surveyed the room The cut of his suit told Olivia it was expensive, possibly cashmere The polished loafers, the silk tie--this was a man who liked to spenddirectly to the point

"Ah, a woly "I like a no-nonsense attitude"

His charh she could see why some people were swayed by it David Rhodes was probably an experienced ood looks and superficial wiles "As I explained, I have an appointment"

"But it’s with your husband"

He sounded as if he thought she didn’t need to worry, since it was only Jack Olivia was almost sure she didn’t like Ben’s son and tried to remember what she’d heard With Jack’s heart attack, she’dthe last two months

"I’ve been to Cedar Cove twice now," David said conversationally "This is a tight cohbors It’s that sort of town"

"We think of ourselves as the kind of place anyone would like to call hoood PR line," he said, but before she could respond to his cynicises fairly well"

"Yes…" she said hesitantly

"The police, too"

"We’re proud of our low crime rate" Cedar Cove had its share of crime; no community was immune But Olivia liked to think she didn’t need to lock her door when she left for the day As a matter of habit she did, but often wondered if it was necessary

David clasped his hands loosely together "I can understand why Dad enjoys life in Cedar Cove as much as he does We had no connections to this tohen he moved here, so my brother and I were both surprised We assumed he’d want to live in Seattle, but Cedar Cove see city"

"We’re only a ferry ride away" It was the best of both worlds, in Olivia’s opinion She enjoyed se of the cultural opportunities Seattle provided

"Dad has certainly fallen for Cedar Cove--and your iven estured toward her "That brings up another"My father married your ht?"

"I guess it does" Olivia wished he’d get to the point She’d worked with enough attorneys to recognize that this wasn’t a social visit David Rhodes wanted so

"I’ve never had a sister before," he said, and there was a quality of wonderuy should be in community theater

"You’ll lanced at her watch again, hoping he’d take the hint

"I was thinking we should all get together for Easter," David suggested "It’s too late to arrange a full fa this year," he added quickly "But et to know each other"

"I’ll keep it inher patience "Is there so I can do for you?" she asked pointedly