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turn everything over to a qualified professional in the field, Hannah. Her papers and notes should be available to experts. They’re academic treasures.”
    Unspoken, of course, was the implication that Hannah Jessett was no expert and was probably incapable of appreciating an academic treasure if it rose up on its hind legs and bit her. I’m being petty and childish and mean-spirited , Hannah admonished herself silently. Just the same, she decided it would be a cold day in hell before she turned her aunt’s papers over to Victoria or Drake Armitage.
    â€œI’m not sure yet what I’ll find or what I’ll do with her records,” Hannah demurred.
    Vicky glanced at her. “Your aunt’s name was a household word in my home all the time I was growing up. My father had the greatest interest in her work. In fact, I believe he collaborated with her for a while on one project. Nothing ever came of it, unfortunately.”
    â€œHey, are the drinks ready? I’m dying of thirst out here,” Drake called.
    â€œWe’re on our way.” Vicky picked up the tray of chilled mineral water, ice, and glasses and started toward the balcony. “You know, Hannah, I think I’ll massage that leg of yours for a few minutes. I’ve been studying the shiatzu technique and I’ve worked out a way of combining it with traditional pressure-point massage. It will really loosen up those tight ligaments.”
    Hannah protested politely as she levered herself down onto a lounge chair and stretched her feet out in front of her. “That’s quite all right, Vicky. I’m already getting massage therapy at the clinic twice a week and I don’t think…”
    But Vicky was already leaning down, her hands closing around the injured knee just below the cuff of Hannah’s safari-style walking shorts.
    Hannah thought she was going to faint from the pain. For several seconds she couldn’t even speak. The woman was every bit as strong as she looked. It was rather frightening. Even the professional masseuse at the clinic didn’t have that kind of strength.
    â€œVicky, no! Please, that’s enough. Leave me alone.” She pushed at the other woman’s hand, no longer worrying about being polite. “Stop it!”
    Chagrined, Vicky straightened. “I’m sorry, did I hurt you?”
    Hannah took several deep breaths. “It’s all right. I know you meant well.”
    â€œVicky’s really into physical therapy,” Drake explained half apologetically.
    â€œYes, I can see that.” Hannah stifled a sudden, acute longing for a shot of tequila or a painkiller instead of the mineral water.
    Life was a constant learning experience. A smart woman tried to pick up lessons along the way and apply them. Today was a case in point, Hannah told herself. This was the last time she would invite passing fitness fanatics in for a drink.

CHAPTER THREE
    H IS ATTENTION was focused on a deck of cards. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the deck of cards being dealt in front of him. The mistake cost Gideon five hundred dollars in the blink of an eye.
    Las Vegas was not working a hell of a lot better the second time around.
    â€œC’est la guerre,” he said easily to the dealer, who smiled back with well-feigned commiseration. “I’ll try again later.” He kept his disgust to himself as he swung around to slip through the milling crowds.
    Endless rows of elaborate chandeliers that might have been designed for a Hollywood movie set cast their flattering light on everything from Bermuda shorts to tuxedoes. The continuous metallic clang of slot machines provided a background noise that somehow complemented the intensity around the card tables. It was nearly midnight and the casino was in full swing.
    Gideon had arrived on the seven-fifteen flight from Tucson and had checked into the same towering hotel on the Strip where he always stayed. Then he had dressed