Free Heart of the Matter by Marta Perry

insight into how the contracts are awarded. Who decides on the supplier, and how they make that decision.”
    Gerard’s cheeks rounded, and he puffed out a breath. “I guess they decide who can do the job cheapest, same as everyone else does.”
    “It’s a valuable contract for the supplier. Maybe there’s a little extra consideration expected if your company is chosen.”
    He’d expect an honest man to take offense at the comment. Gerard just stared at him blankly. Then his gaze slid away again. “I guess…”
    He let that trail off, his eyes riveted on the person who had just come into the coffee shop and was coming straight toward them. Amanda Bodine.
    Something that might have been anger washed over Gerard’s face and was gone so quickly Ross couldn’t be sure of what he’d seen. Then he slid from the booth, tossing a handful of change on the table.
    “We’re done,” he said, and walked quickly away with a curt nod to Amanda as he passed her.
    Ross stared after him, speculation flooding his mind. Had Gerard been about to admit something? And if he had, was it the sight of one of the Bodines that had changed his mind? He didn’t want to read too much into that, but Amanda’s entrance had done something.
    She paused at his table. “I’m glad I caught you. There’s something I’d like to—”
    He cut her off with a jerk of his head in the direction of the closing door. “Do you know the man who just left?”
    She turned to look out the plate-glass window at the retreating figure. Gerard’s Plumbing was clearly visible on the back of his shirt. Her brow furrowed.
    “Gerard’s Plumbing? I think they’ve done some work for my folks over the years. I don’t think I know him personally. Is there some work you need done?”
    That encounter could mean something or nothing, but all his instincts told him that Gerard had been a little too eager to get away from him once he’d spotted Amanda Bodine.
    In any event, he couldn’t afford to let Amanda start inquiring into what he was doing.
    “Just a casual conversation.” He rose, putting his payment on top of the bill. “I’m headed back to the office. I’ll let you get your coffee.”
    Instead of heading for the counter, she fell into step beside him. “I really wanted to talk with you. About a story idea.”
    “Bring it up at the editorial meeting.”
    She stayed doggedly at his side, and her face was alive with enthusiasm. “C.J. told me about something that’s going on in the apartment block where she and her grandmother live. It seems the landlord is refusing to take care of routine maintenance, not even getting the airconditioning fixed in this heat.”
    They stepped out onto the sidewalk as she spoke, and the hot, humid air settled on him like a wet wool blanket. Trying to ignore it—ignore her—he strode across the street.
    “That’s not a story, Amanda. It’s a personal annoyance. C.J. and her grandmother should complain.”
    “To whom?” She had to hurry to keep up with him. “The landlord ignores the tenants, and from what I can tell, they’re too afraid of being kicked out to raise a fuss. He shouldn’t be allowed to get away with that. If we ran a story—”
    He stopped in front of the building, then immediately wished he’d taken the conversation on inside to the lobby. Where it was cool.
    He scowled at her. That didn’t seem to dampen the zeal that shone in her green eyes. “I repeat, it’s not a story. The landlord could have a dozen perfectly good explanations, and you don’t know any of them.”
    “But—”
    “You’re a reporter, Amanda, not a social worker or a crusader.”
    She flushed a little at that. “If I got more information about the landlord, talked to the tenants, then would you consider running it?”
    That was the last thing he needed, to have Amanda running off half-cocked and getting herself into trouble. He was starting to feel responsible for her, and that annoyed him.
    “Just let it go,