Behind him, Flynn and Jordan set up a card table. “The cloth for thats in me bag over there.”

Flynn glanced over. “Cloth?”

“Tablecloth.“ “Why do they need a tablecloth? Tables clean.”

“Just put it on the damn table.”

Jordan walked over to the bag and ripped it open. “And look, he got one with pretty pink rosebuds on it.”

“Matching napkins,” Flynn added, pulling them out of the bag.

“What a sweetie. I didnt know you had a feminine side.”

“When were done here, Im going to kick your asses just to reestablish my manhood—and because Ill enjoy it.” Brad took out the champagne flutes hed brought along, held them up to check for smudges. “Then maybe Ill tell the women this was my idea and negate your points.”

“Hey, I sprang for the flowers,” Flynn reminded him.

“I bought the cookies.” Jordan shook the bakery box.

“Ideas get more points than cookies and flowers, my friends.” Brad twitched the tablecloth to straighten it. “Its all about ideas and presentation. Which proves being in touch with your feminine side bags more women.”

“Then how come Flynn and I are the only ones here getting laid?”

“Give me time.”

“I really should clock you for saying that as regards my woman and my sister.” Flynn studied Jordans grin. “But its not only an accurate statement, it rubs it in Brads face, so Im letting it pass. How much time we got?”

“A while yet,” Jordan said. “Settlement should be pretty straightforward, but youve got lawyers, bankers, and papers, so itll take twice as long as you think it will.”

He stepped back, looked at the table set up in the foyer. He had to admit it was a nice touch there among the drop cloths and paint supplies. A splash of color and celebration against the primer-coated walls.

The women, he knew, would melt like ice cream in July.

“Okay, damn good idea, Brad.”

“Ive got a million of them.”

“I dont see why we have to clear out before they get here,” Flynn complained. “Id like champagne and cookies, not to mention the big sloppy kisses this is going to generate.” “Because its their moment, thats why.” Satisfied, Brad leaned against the stepladder. “Recognizing that will only generate more big sloppy kisses in the long run.”

“I like instant gratification.” But Flynn paused, looked around. “Its going to be a hell of a place, really. Innovative idea, good location, attractive setting. Its good for the Valley. Good for them. You should see some of the stuffMals setting up for stock. Over the weekend we went to see a couple of the artists shes going to feature. Cool stuff.”

“He went with her to see art,” Jordan pointed out, and with a grin tucked a finger in his mouth, then pulled up the side to mime a hook. “Can opera be far behind?”

“Well see whos smirking when youre sitting in Danas bookstore drinking herbal tea.”

“Thats not so bad. Brad heres probably going to have to get a facial to winZoe over.”

“There are lines that cant be crossed, no matter what the prize.” But Brad looked up the stairs. “Theyre going to need to decide on lighting. And some of the trim needs to be replaced. Could use a new sink in the John up there.”

“Youre planning on seducingZoe with bathroom fixtures?” Flynn asked. “You devious bastard. Im proud to call you friend.”

“Seducing her could be a very satisfying side benefit— after all, the stepladder got me a chicken dinner.”

“Chicken dinner? You can get a chicken dinner at the Main Street Diner, Tuesday-night special.” Sorrowfully, Flynn shook his head. “My pride in you is waning.”

“Im just getting started. But the fact is, they could use a little help here. Theres some tile work, some carpentry, a little plumbing and electrical. Theyve got to upgrade some of the windows. We could pitch in with more than champagne and cookies.”

“Im in for that,” Jordan agreed.

“Sure. Already figured on it.” Flynn shrugged. “Hell, it looks like my house is going to be Remodel Central for a while anyway. Might as well spread the wealth. And driving a few nails should help keep us all from going crazy over the keys.”

“Now that you mention it.” Jordan glanced toward the windows as rain began to splat. “Id better fill you in on what happened last night.”

“Something happened to Dana?” Flynn pushed away from the wall. “Is she okay?”

“Nothing happened to her. Shes fine. Hell, I need a smoke. Lets go out on the porch.” They stood outside, the rain drumming on the overhang. He took them through it—the colors, the sounds, the movements, building the story much as hed done for them in tents pitched in a

backyard, or around a campfire in the woods.

But this time it hadnt come out of his imagination. However active and agile that imagination was, it couldnt rake slashes down his chest. They burned still. It was some consolation to hear Flynns sharply drawn breath and see Brads wince of sympathy when he tugged up his shut to show them.

“Christ, those look nasty.” Flynn studied the raw, red grooves. “Shouldnt they be bandaged or something?”

“Dana put something on them last night, but shes not exactly Nurse Betty. I smeared some more crap on them this morning. Point is, our guy was seriously pissed— enough to take a genuine shot at me. Where does that leave the women?”

Heat flashed into Flynns eyes. “He didnt touch Malory. Never physically touched her. It was bad enough, scary enough, the way he messed with her mind. But this… Weve got to take him down.”

“Im open to ideas.” Jordan spread his hands. “Problem is, as far as magic goes, I cant even pull a rabbit out of my hat.”

“Some of its just misdirection, tricking the eye,” Brad mused.

“Let me tell you, son, when that guys got his claws in you, its no trick of the eye.”

“No, I mean from our stand,” Brad told Jordan. “We direct him toward us, it gives the women more space. He had a reason for going after you. If we can figure that out, exploit it, it might take his attention away from Dana for the next couple of weeks. And fromZoe when her time comes around.”

“I havent got anything concrete. It just feels like I know something, but I cant reel it in.” Frustrated, Jordan jammed his hands into his pockets. “Something I know, or did, or have, thats the answer. Or one of them. Something from before, that plays into the now.”

“Something between you and Dana,” Brad prompted.

“Has to be connected, doesnt it? Otherwise it wouldnt follow the pattern. And if it isnt something important, why did he fuck with me?”

“Maybe its time for a meeting,” Brad began.

“For you suits, its always time for a meeting,” Flynn shot back.

“Im forced to point out that Im not wearing a suit.” “Inside you are. Its probably pin-striped. And I bet youre wearing a tie too. But I digress. Maybe the suits right,” he said to Jordan. “The six of us should put our heads together. Your place.” He patted Brad on the shoulder. “Youve got more furniture and better food.”

“That works for me. The sooner, the better.” Brad glanced at his watch. “Ha-ha, I have a meeting. Set it up with the women, let me know.”

He stepped back inside to snag his jacket, then jogged out into the rain toward his car.

Jordan stood watching as Brad drove away. “We get through this one and get to the last round, his heads going to be on the block.”

“You think he doesnt know that?”

“No, I figure he does. I was wondering ifZoe does.”

* * *

THE only thingZoe knew at that moment was that this was one of the biggest days of her life. She clutched the keys, her keys, in her fist. They were brand spanking new, to go with the brand spanking new lock sets shed bought to replace the old ones.

She was going to put the lock on the main door herself—she knew how—first thing. A kind of rite, she decided. A kind of claiming.

She parked, ran through the rain to the front porch, then waited as her friends pulled in behind. Malory had the original keys. Besides, it was right that the three of them went in together.

And wasnt it right, somehow symbolic, that Malory had the original key? That she and Dana would wait while Malory unlocked the door. The first door.

Malory had completed her part of the quest, and had held her key. Now it was Danas turn. Then, God willing, it would be hers.

“Rains going to strip a lot of the leaves off the trees,” Malory commented as she rushed under the overhang. “There wont be much color left after this.”

“It was nice while it lasted.”

“Yes, it was.” Malory started to unlock the door, then stopped. “It just hit me. Its ours now. Really ours. Maybe we should say something profound, do something symbolic.”

“Im not carrying either of you across the threshold.” Dana scooped back her damp hair.

“Booty shake,”Zoe decided and made Dana laugh. “Booty shake,” she agreed. “On three.”

The few people driving by might have been slightly surprised to see three women standing on a pretty blue porch wiggling their butts in front of a closed door.

Giggling, Malory turned the key. “That felt right. And here we go.” She opened the door with what she considered a very nice flourish, then her mouth dropped open.

“Oh, my God, look!”

“What?” Instinctively,Zoe grabbed her arm to yank her back. “Is it Kane?”

“No, no! Look. Oh, this is so sweet! Look what they did.” She rushed inside and all but buried her face in the roses set on the card table. “Flowers. Our first flowers. Flynns going to get such a big reward for this.”

“It was really thoughtful of him.”Zoe sniffed at the flowers, then opened the bakery box. “Cookies. The fancy kind. What a sweetheart youve got, Malory.”