“What the hell is this? Michelle Graver wanted me to sleep with her, and I wouldn’t.”

She drummed her fingers on the counter.

“We already have those pictures, they’re in this

month’s division newsletter. And anyway, you wanted to see a picture of my new assistant. Is there a problem?”


382 Melissa Good She reviewed the files.

“I like the middle one best.”

“Send.” She stewed in anger for a moment, then smiled. “Compose.”

“Ready.”

Dar dictated furiously before stopping to re-read the display: First off, a happy Thanksgiving to you and your

family. I had the pleasure of being in the Orlando property during a business meeting not long ago, and I want to compliment you on the quality of your product, and tell you how much I enjoyed my visit there.

One thing which did concern me is the photo-imaging system you seem to be using for your surveillance

cameras. As you can see by the attached examples, the graininess is really quite pronounced, and the auto-focusing seems to be off by several degrees. Since we produce a system for driving and controlling these cameras, I’d like a chance to put in a proposal to acquire and replace the system on your behalf.

Thanks for your time, and be sure to drop a word of thanks to your excellent manager down there, Michelle Graver, who was nice enough to forward these pictures for my attention.

Best Regards,

Dar Roberts

She added her sig at the end. “Send,” she ordered, after typing in an address.

Fuck with me, will you? Kiss my ass, Michelle. Dar snarled silently. She checked the two other urgent messages, from Duks and Mariana, both on the same subject seeing as how Mariana had been copied on the original message.

“Compose, to Lou Draefus.” Dar chuckled.


“Duks, relax. Tell Mari to relax. It’s handled. Don’t worry about it. Happy Thanksgiving.”

She shook her head. “Send.” She wondered briefly why they hadn’t just paged or called her cell phone, then realized it was because she’d turned the damn thing off at the gym. “What in the hell’s gotten into me the last few days?”

“Incoming Netmeeting request, Alastair M,” the computer chirped.

Shit. “On.” Dar leaned against the counter.

Alastair was in his study, a bright orange sweater almost making her flinch and adjust the contrast. “Evening, Alastair.”

He propped his clean-shaven chin up on one hand. “She wanted to sleep with you?”


Tropical Storm 383

Dar chuckled. “That was her plan, yes. First there, then when she visited here the other day.”

“Is she ugly?” Alastair inquired.

“No, she’s pretty good-looking, why?” the dark-haired woman asked.

Alastair blinked at her. “I’ve never known you to have scruples about that. What’s up?” He leaned forward. “She could be trouble, when it comes to renewal.”

Dar stared back at him. “I’m not your corporate whore, Alastair,” she snapped. “So you can take your assumptions and shove them up your ass.”

A hand. “Whoa, whoa. Take it easy, tiger,” Alastair protested. “You’re the one who always brags about that, lady. Don’t take it out on me if I remember that.”

Dar fell silent, knowing it for the truth. “Maybe I’m getting too old for that crap.” She let a conciliatory note enter her voice. “Or maybe I’m just smarter now.”

Alastair smiled wryly. “I’d vote for two, there. You’ve gotten pretty smart the last few years. And, frankly, Dar, if the woman isn’t smart enough to outfox you without getting you in bed, then the hell with her. She’s not going to be able to get around you in the boardroom either.”

Dar relaxed a little. “Sorry, it’s been a long day. I just got home and got hit with that.”

“Mmm.” Alastair folded his hands on his desk. “Well, I just wanted you to know not to worry about the whole thing. I sent an answer back, wanting to know why pictures of two tourists would be of a concern, and that you’d been under my orders to take time off there, so what was her problem?” He paused.

“Only in a little nicer language.”

“Thanks,” Dar replied quietly.

“No problem. Dar, you’re a valuable employee. And though I don’t say it a lot, I do appreciate all you do for me. You know that, right?”

Dar nodded. “I know.”

“Cute kid.”

Dark brows contracted. “What?”

“Your assistant.”

“Oh. Oh, right. Kerry. Yeah.” Dar waved him off. “She’s all right. A little too nice sometimes, but…she’s new.”

Alastair nodded. “You’ll change that.” He winked. “Well, happy Thanksgiving, Dar. You staying in town?”

I’ll change that? No, she’s changed me, Dar wryly admitted. “No, I’m heading out tomorrow morning. I’ll be back on Sunday.”

“See ya.” Alastair waved an amiable hand and the connection cut off.

Dar shook her head, and picked up her mug, taking it with her into the living room. She set it down. She then went into the bathroom, changing into her bathing suit and throwing a towel around her neck. Moments later she was submerged up to her neck in swirling, soothing warm water, and regarding the canopy of stars overhead.


384 Melissa Good KERRY WATCHED THE mail send, then she closed down her laptop and turned to the bed, where her bag was resting. She sat down next to it with a sigh, then unzipped the top, and pulled out the sweatshirt, which she’d packed last. As she pulled it out something came with it, and she grabbed at the item in puzzlement. It was a small, blue-green stuffed animal, and she peered at it in half recognition. “Where have I seen you before?” she mused to the tiny salamander. “Oh, I remember. You were at the Rainforest, but how did you get here?” She glanced at the suitcase and remembered who had slipped it into the back of the car for the ride to the airport. “Oh, did you follow Auntie Dar home?”

The salamander winked at her. Kerry gave him a kiss on the nose and detected Dar’s familiar scent on the fabric. She was setting him back into the suitcase when a soft knock came at the door, and she looked up. “C’mon in.”

It opened, and she was relieved to see her sister’s face. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” Angela slipped in and crossed over to her. Kerry stood and held her arms out, smiling when her sister threw her arms around her and hugged her. “Bet you’re glad to see a friendly face.”

“Oh, you know it.” Kerry sighed, releasing her.

“Let me see you.” Her sister held her at arms distance and studied her.

“Mom went on and on about how much weight you’d put on, but Jesus Christ, Kerry, you look fantastic.”

Kerry’s eyes flickered in surprise, not expecting that. “Think so?”

“My god, yes.” Angela smiled. “I thought she meant… You’re working out, aren’t you? And would you look at that tan?”

Kerry smiled. “Yeah, I spent all day Sunday out on the water. I’m still a little sunburned,” she admitted. “And I’ve been doing a lot more stuff outside and at the gym. I’ve been really busy.”

“I bet. So, tell me about the new job?” Angela sat down on the bed as Kerry untucked her short-sleeved shirt from her jeans and started to unbutton it. “I heard Dad say your boss was actually at your apartment the other day?”

“Well…” Kerry folded her shirt and put it away, then slipped the dark blue sweatshirt over her head. “I really like it. I’m learning so much, and there’s so much opportunity. I’ve got this big office with a window, and great benefits, it’s fantastic.” She turned and sat down next to Angela. “And I really like my new boss. She, um… She got me interested in doing a lot of stuff.”

“Really? From what Dad was saying, I’d have thought she was tough to work for,” her sister commented. “I’m glad you like her, though.” She leaned closer and dropped her voice. “So, you found someone, didn’t you?”

Kerry glanced at her. “What makes you say that?” she countered warily.

“Mmm, let’s just say, I’m your sister, okay?” Angela smiled. “C’mon, spill it. Did you bring pictures?”

Kerry folded her hands together and studied them. Of all her family, her sister was the only one she was at least willing to try to tell. Paradoxically, Angela was the one ally she had, and chances were, this would ruin that. No good choices. “Ang, you don’t want to hear this.”

Her sister was silent. “What do you mean?” she asked in a puzzled tone.

“Of course I do. I could hardly wait for you to get here.”

“It’s…not what you think,” Kerry started, very carefully. “It’s not what Tropical Storm 385

you expect.”

Angela glanced towards the door again, then reached out and folded her hands over her older sister’s. “Ker, whatever it is, you can tell me. I’m your sister, remember?” She paused and waited, watching Kerry’s face remain closed and silent. “Did you finally figure out you liked girls and not guys?”

Green eyes widened in utter shock as Kerry turned to look at her. She couldn’t speak for a moment. “You knew?”

“Duh.” Angela had to laugh at her expression. “Close your mouth, sis, you’ll attract gnats.” She squeezed Kerry’s hands. “Listen, I should have talked to you about it before. I was just…I don’t know, maybe it’s all that indoctrination we got growing up.”

Kerry lifted a hand and rubbed her temple, feeling a mixture of relief and shock. “I…”

“Hey, take it easy.” Angela put an arm around her shoulders. “Just because I live a stereotype, doesn’t mean I don’t have a brain, sis.”

“I know, I…” Kerry laughed weakly. “I was just expecting a different reaction.”

Angela sighed. “I know, but Richard got this computer last year. And you know he’s never home? Well, I took it upon myself to wander out onto the Web. It’s really changed a lot of the things I used to think.”