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"Laood," she said "I assume you kno to cook it properly?" Jazz herself had no idea, but she wanted to appeal to his vanity Steer hi to trip her up

His only response was a smile

The s of fresh blood blending with fresh fish to provide an aroely of the makeup shop It consumed the atmosphere of the place, and any ae that

Jazz berated herself for glancing up at the ceiling Air-conditioning, yes, and extravagant plasterwork, decorative light fittings, and ha from heavy hooks But, as Terence had said, there were cameras everywhere in here

After Terence selected a cut of s, he touched her arh the fruit section --lorious displays--and into the jewelry roo too expen-sive All the really pricey stuff is well protected, and h this for so cheap

He told her that he'd leave it up to her what she decided to take Another test

They were the perfect happy couple as they passed into the fine-jewelry section Jazz's heart sped up at as to coht well be that Terence was testing her But this, she proorgeous"

Jazz tapped her fingernail on the glass display cabinet above a tray of necklaces It held five pieces of jewelry and she was indicating the s for the five diaer asked

"That Oh, that one's nice too"

"Can we see them all?" Terence asked

Jazz rolled her eyes at the assistant "Steve!"

Terence held out his hands in a what-can-I-do gesture "Show her this one, she'll like that one Show her that one, she'll like this one By the time she chooses, her birthday will be over" He frowned and leaned forward "Ohthe assistant's neck-lace, a subtle, thin chain with a single sapphire in a tastefulat hi for comfort

Jazz smiled inwardly Oh yes, she likes hilanced at the wo across her chest "Quite," she said

Terence smiled at the assistant and nodded down at the display case "Well, we'll have a look at those," he said

Jazz wasn't sure she liked this I' The assistant barely saw her anymore, and even when she withdrew the tray, un-clipped the necklace, and placed it around Jazz's neck, it was Terence she looked at

"Not bad," Terence said

The woeous Catches her eyes"

Her, not your Jazz batted her eyelids at Terence, know-ing that the assistant would not see

"How htly, taking the necklace fro it out across both of her hands It caught the artificial lights and dazzled, throwing light a thousand different ways "This piece is seven thousand pounds," she said "It's quite unique, hands and a bracelet if you're interested"

"Seven thousand," Jazz said, trying to sound disap-pointed Seven fucking thousand! she was actually thinking, but she was delighted at her act Her face did not actually drop, but she feigned sudden disinterest

"This one looks glorious," Terence said "More similar to your own,around as if trying to hide it "Sorry to say, iven worth by its wearer, not its ht at her and continued to do so until the woain, and Jazz saw a brief, wry smile curl his lip

He knows all about hi difference between arrogance and confidence And, any-way, it was all part of the job

The woman swapped necklaces and held the second one to Jazz's throat

Terence hummed in appreciation

Jazz asked how much this one was

"This is nine thousand four hundred," the woman said "It really does catch your character, madam

So stylish and modern"

"Nine thousand," Jazz said She reached up and held the necklace She did not actually force the woo, but still the assistant took one step back, keeping her eyes on the piece

"Perhaps we should look e," Terence said

Jazz threw hi sure the wolass display case and tapped its top, indicating a piece a couple of trays along from the first

Jazz placed the second necklace back on the tray with her right hand

For a second the wo across Terence's athletic for to

Jazz lifted her right hand to her face, scratching an iht the woain, and with the index and ers of her left hand she lifted another necklace from the first tray

"Now this is the one, Lucy This is definitely the one"

Jazzthe necklace and then clasping her hands in front of her chest, all in the same movement

"That one?" she said "Yeah s'pose"

The assistant hurriedly locked the first tray away andprimly while "Steve" and "Lucy" played out their act

They looked at severalto be served he shrugged, held Jazz's arh she were an unruly child "What a to do with you?" he asked

What indeed? Jazz thought, and for a beat he actually scared her again

"I'm sorry," Terence said "If I could have persuaded her to follow your taste" He pointed at the assistant's neck again, bringing out more of her flush "But perhaps next time"

"I certainly hope so," the wo away, co first, unfulfilled and petulant When she glanced back, the wo by while they perused a display of outlandishly priced bracelets