Read Online The Sinister Touch by Jayne Ann Krentz - Free Book Online Page B

second,” Carla said bluntly, “What about Zac? How does he feel about the new fad of having babies?”
    Guinevere opened a folder and stared unseeingly at the contents. “I don’t know,” she said quietly. “I just don’t know.”
    Carla grimaced. “Haven’t the two of you talked about the subject?”
    “Not directly.”
    “But, Gwen—”
    “Look, Carla, I don’t have the answers to your questions, so let’s get down to work. As long as you’re sitting at that desk, you might as well do something useful. Get on the phone and see who you can find to replace Bonny Hatcher at Fogel’s today. She was due to work there for another five days to replace his secretary who’s on vacation. We can’t let Fogel down. He’s been a small but very loyal client.” She glanced at the clock. “His insurance office doesn’t open until ten. That gives us less than two hours.”
    “I’ll find someone. I can always go out myself if necessary.” Carla reached for the phone and the folder full of temps who were qualified for Fogel’s kind of office.
    “Oh, and Carla, when you’re finished, you’d better send flowers to Bonny’s hospital room. And maybe one of those little designer baby suits.”
    Carla chuckled. “A designer baby suit?”
    “Don’t laugh. It’s what the new brand of baby is wearing these days.”
    “Okay.” She started to dial.
    “And when you’re finished,” Guinevere added deliberately, “I’ve got something important to tell you about Mason Adair.”
    Half an hour later, as Guinevere finished her story of the events in Adair’s studio, she was glad she hadn’t brought up the subject until after Carla had located a replacement for Bonny. Carla nearly went into shock.
    “Good Lord! Is everyone all right? What about Mason?”
    “He’s okay. He got a few bruises in the struggle, but he wasn’t badly hurt. He refused to go to an emergency room.”
    “And you and Zac?”
    “We’re fine,” Guinevere assured her. “It was probably the sound of Zac racing up the stairs that drove off the intruder.”
    “I’ve got to call Mason.” Carla was already dialing.
    “I don’t see why,” Guinevere began calmly, only to be interrupted by Carla as she spoke urgently into the phone.
    “Mason, what’s this I hear about an intruder in your apartment last night? I can’t believe it. Are you all right?” Pause. “Are you absolutely certain? There can be delayed effects from this sort of thing, you know.” Another pause as she listened to Mason. “Yes, yes, I realize that, but all the same—” Long pause while Carla listened impatiently. “I know, but I still think you should take it easy today. What do you mean, you can’t? Just don’t try painting until tomorrow. There’s no sense pushing things. Besides, you deserve a break after your brilliant show last night.” Carla frowned. “Oh, I see. I didn’t realize. Your cousin? Well, I’m not sure. After all, this is your family and all, and I know there are problems. I wouldn’t want to make things awkward.” One more pause. Carla suddenly seemed to change her mind. “I understand completely. Of course we’ll be there. One o’clock. Yes, I know the restaurant. See you then, Mason.”
    Guinevere leaned back in her swivel chair and eyed her sister. “What on earth was that all about? Where, exactly, are we going to be at one o’clock?”
    Carla appeared to remember something. “You’re not already scheduled for lunch with Zac, are you?”
    “Zac didn’t schedule me in for anything today,” Guinevere said dryly. “He left my apartment in a big hurry. Had a hot breakfast meeting with Liz. My next appointment with Zachariah Justis is tonight. I’m due to escort him to the queen’s party. Zac was afraid that if he went alone, he’d be a wallflower. Fat chance. I’m sure Ms. Gallinger would have found some way of entertaining him.”
    “Gwen, I hate to tell you this, but you’re losing your objectivity. Are you