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She disappeared into the kitchen and then popped her head back out, continuing with "…a questionable red wine and an Irish beer in bottles"

"Sounds like a pretty good bar to me," he said "I’ll take an Irish beer"

He heard her in the kitchen, despite the fact that the television was on

"Have a seat," she called to him

He did The second he was seated, a ball of fur leaped up beside hiazed at him with mammoth cat eyes "Hey, it’s cool, I like cats," he said in a low voice

"Don’t mind Ichabod!" she called

"I like ani more loudly

But as he stroked the cat, he felt an odd presence He turned and realized he was right

Madison was not residing in the bungalow by herself--and it wasn’t just the cat as residing with her

There was a ravely

"I Love Lucy," the man said "Love that show The physical comedy is exceptional Ah, Lucille! She had soie?" he whispered

She wasn’t alone He hadn’t merely dropped her off--he was inside the house with her!

Vengeance was irritated Sean Cameron Everyone hero-worshipped the bastard

Could have been a movie star, excellent leader and teaeance was thoughtful; it was said that Cah they’d been apart, she’d been the love of his life So he’d gone houns and ranches…

Then he’d joined the FBI But he was back

Panic set in No, just stick to the plan--with Madison now part of the scenario It was very film noir She wasn’t the love of Caeance all the sweeter

Let him know…

Let him know that another woht in on the case Or, better still…one Eddie Archer had brought in

Yes, she eance could wait

7

Why hadn’t she said NO? One gigantic NO, that would’ve done it She could have explained that she didn’t bring people to her house, that as separate fro Alistair Archer and finding a one so with him--not at all Under other circumstances, she would’ve loved to have had him in her house Every moment she spent with Sean seemed to draw her closer to him, draw her further into the web of fascination he created for her She liked being next to hi she wanted to coether; she was a studio guide for hiuide into the lives of those around Eddie, the people she ht know better than he did

And she really didn’t need hiie was bound to tease her and cause trouble It was going to be hard to behave norhost of a classic filainst a wall

But she’d tried to remain casual She’d been nonchalant Sure, what the hell, let’s go to ie knew that ato destroy an evening because she was dating someone he considered a jerk This was different Sure, the television was on Lots of people left their TVs on No big deal It was all going to be fine

Madison dug around in her refrigerator and produced a beer for Agent Caht her coworkers hoie always behaved then She ell-supplied with snack food and a decent selections of drinks--alcoholic and non Beer Beer was easy She had a case of Guinness her assistant had brought last Friday Nice cold Irish beer in bottles What about her? H a bit harder Like Scotch or whiskey She looked around on the counter She had both A whiskey and ginger ale Yeah

She poured whiskey into a glass with ice

She didn’t add the ginger ale She knocked the drink back in a s, felt the burn and coughed That was good Okay, no probleer ale She shook back her hair and lass?"

"Nope"

She picked up her glass and his beer and tried to sail sent Caie was on the right side

Bogie offered her his char frown

"Here you go" She handed Sean the beer, and took a seat in the large upholstered chair

"Thanks," he told her