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have anything to do with Mitch, but with his partner and their company. But Mitch is the one the SEC and the FBI are after.”
    “ Kristen !”
    “Dad, give me some credit.”
    After a short silence, he grumbled. “You need to fine-tune your hunches. Tomorrow, I’ll take a look at what you’ve got if you like.”
    “Thanks, Dad.”
    “You’re going to drive me to drink—how convenient that I’m sitting in a liquor store parking lot.”
    Kristen grinned. “You’re a good dad.”
    He snorted. “Say that again when your mother can hear.”
    Kristen cradled the heavy receiver and was still chuckling when the phone rang again. “Yes, I’ll tell her!”
    “Tell who what?” her mother’s voice asked.
    “Mom!”
    “Is that the way you answer the office phone?”
    “I was just talking to my great and wonderful dad who is currently parked at a liquor store in La Marque.”
    Barbara didn’t miss a beat. “Nora Beckman?”

    “Yep.”
    Her mother inhaled. “Alcoholism is such a nasty disease and this is a tough time of year. Maybe she needs a distraction. I’ll give Patsy Donner a call and see if there’s something Nora can do with the light parade.”
    Kristen shook her head. “Oh, that was smooth, Mom. Were you always this slick when I was growing up?”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Working Patsy Donner into the conversation so you can ask whether I’ve connected with Mitch yet.”
    “I must be out of practice. So? You and Mitch?”
    “Why do you care whether or not I go out with him?”
    “Because you’re spending too much time sitting on the couch,” her mother answered.
    “I’m working for Dad all day!”
    “And sitting on the couch all night.”
    Kristen groaned. “Mom.”
    “Okay, we won’t talk about Mitch or your spreading hips. So that leaves the rest of your life. What’s up?”
    Never mind the spreading hips, Kristen didn’t want to think about her career, or her lack of one just then. She’d anticipated the question or something like it sooner or later, but she’d really hoped for later. “Point taken. And I do appreciate you holding back on the questions for so long.”
    “Kristen, you’re an adult. We’re your parents and we love you. When you’re ready to talk, we’ll listen.”
    “Thanks.” Kristen had to swallow hard.
    “But if you don’t talk soon, it’s our God-given right to bug you about it.”

    “I know.” Time for a distraction of her own. “By the way, Mitch is a cutie. He’s working for The Electric Santa and came by today. We’re going out to dinner—after he gets paid.”
    Kristen enjoyed the ensuing silence.
    “Uh…”
    Kristen couldn’t help teasing her mother. “Careful what you wish for!”
    “Kristen…” There was a wealth of parental warning and concern in the way her mother said her name.
    “It’s okay, Mom.” Kristen briefly brought her mother up to speed on Mitch’s situation. “Maybe you can help me with some of this real estate stuff I’ve found. For instance, did you know that Jeremy Sloane’s dad owns a construction company?”
    “Oh, yes. Let’s not get into this on the phone. I really called to tell you that I’m waiting to go to an after-hours closing and to see if you could catch a ride home with your father. But since he’s not there—”
    “Take your time. I want to keep working on this. So I’ll see you when I see you, okay?”
    “All right. Thanks, sweetie.”
    “Love you, Mom. Bye.”
    Kristen intended to get right back to work, but instead, she let her mind wander to her acting career, or lack of one. She’d been trying to live life without acting to see if she could. To see if anything else interested her. But she’d turned this job for her father into an acting gig and everyone she researched became fodder for characterization.
    Kristen didn’t know where she got this fascination for immersing herself into characters. No one else inher family had ever acted. Her childhood was fine, she was