Free Midnight in Ruby Bayou by Elizabeth Lowell Page B

mind the taste of blood.
    â€œI’m over thirty,” Faith said angrily, “I own my own business, and I don’t need one of your house apes standing over me like an older brother.”
    â€œHello to you, too,” Archer said.
    â€œHouse ape?” Walker asked under his breath.
    â€œThe stage at which boys become teenagers with more height than couth,” Archer explained.
    Walker gave his boss a sideways look. “ Uncouth, I’ve heard of. You sure couth is a word?”
    â€œYes,” Faith said. “Somehow I’m not surprised you’ve never heard the word.”
    â€œI suppose ol’ road apples was a mountain of couth,” Walker said, turning back to his equipment.
    â€œOl’ road apples?” Archer asked, one black eyebrow cocked.
    Red burned on Faith’s high cheekbones. “Never mind.”
    â€œHer fiancé,” Walker said.
    Archer laughed out loud.
    â€œMy ex-fiancé,” Faith said through her teeth. “Big difference.”
    â€œThe only one that matters,” Archer agreed. “Did you come to hear Walker’s explanation of why I should insure those rubies for a million bucks?”
    For two seconds Faith thought about how satisfying it would be to grab the rubies and walk out without a word. Then she thought about how dumb that would be. She needed insurance. Archer could provide it. But her brother was a businessman. He wouldn’t insure a pig in a poke, even for his sister.
    â€œI came because the instant Walker left my shop with those rubies, they were effectively uninsured,” she said evenly. “While I’m certain he’s competent enough flying an airplane, most crime in Seattle takes place on the ground.”
    Though she said nothing more, she looked at the cane resting against the coffee table.
    The suggestion that Walker wasn’t fit for security duty seemed to amuse Archer. He was surprised that his sister couldn’t see the gutter fighter disguised in casual clothing. But then, few people did. Being underestimated was one of Walker’s most valuable assets. It allowed him to talk his way out of situations that other men would try to handle with a gun.
    â€œI’ll be responsible for the rubies while they’re in Walker’s care,” Archer said.
    â€œBut not while they’re in mine?” Faith retorted.
    â€œDo you want them insured or not?”
    â€œOf course I want them insured.”
    â€œThen let our resident ruby expert explain to me why I should accept his valuation. Because I sure as hell won’t do it on the word of some South Carolina dandy who happens to have a jewelry store in the family.”
    â€œDon’t worry,” Walker said. “The gems are real.”
    â€œOf course they are,” she said.
    â€œArcher is just being careful,” Walker said soothingly. “Comes of having to do business with countries where the old order gave way to new criminals.”
    â€œSince when has Donovan International done business with criminals?” she asked her brother.
    â€œYou have a touching trust in elected politicians,” Walker muttered.
    She ignored him.
    â€œIf you want to do business in what was once the Soviet Union,” Archer said, “and Donovan International does, one way or another you deal with the various mafiyas .”
    â€œThey must be making a lot of long spoons in Russia today,” she said dryly.
    Archer gave a crack of laughter.
    Smiling, Walker looked up at Faith. “Sure enough. Folks who sit down to eat with the devil don’t want to get their pinkies burned.”
    She blinked, surprised at the change a simple smile made in his looks. Not that he didn’t usually smile, but this one was different. She couldn’t say just how it was different. Warmer, maybe, like the one he gave Summer.
    The idea that Walker genuinely enjoyed her sense of humor both surprised and charmed Faith. It was like