Free Dangerous Relations by Marilyn Levinson Page A

through her body. "Which is why I never bothered telling
him what I found."
    "What?" she said breathlessly. "What did you find?"
    She was both relieved and disappointed when he moved away, breaking their intimate
connection.
    He looked around, as if checking to see if anyone was listening. "Suziette's charge card
statements were scattered about the floor. One blew my mind. It was for a gold and diamond
bracelet that cost four thousand dollars."
    "Well, that's a hefty sum for an administrative assistant. Did you ever see this
bracelet?"
    "Sure I did. When I asked where she'd gotten it, she claimed she bought it for a few
hundred dollars at an amazing sale." He shook his head, and said, "Some amazing sale. Obviously,
she was lying as usual."
    "Maybe you should tell the police."
    "Are you kidding? And have Rabe tell me I killed Suziette because I was
jealous someone gave her the money for the bracelet?"
    "But it could be a clue!"
    "Only that someone's been giving Suziette money."
    "But if Detective Rabe--" she began.
    "Rabe's too narrow-minded to follow up leads. He only bothers with clues that fit inside
his preconceived theory." Brett was flushed, a sure sign he was growing angry.
    "Okay, forget the charge slips," she said. "Especially since the burglar obviously saw them
and left them behind."
    Brett looked at her searchingly. "Then what was he after?"
    "Maybe something incriminating. A document or a photo she was using to
blackmail him with. Whoever he is."
    They stared at one another. "I wonder if it's Corey."
    "Me too. Could be Suziette got some dirt on Corey, she tried to blackmail him, and he killed
her."
    Brett's eyes lit up. "Let's not forget Dimitri, combination personal trainer-lover boy. Rabe
told me he'd lied about where he was on Thursday night."
    Leonie came running toward them, her long blonde hair flying. She took Mr. Bonkers from
Brett. "Daddy, I'm tired of climbing. Can you give me a ride?"
    "Why certainly, Miss Sugarplum." Brett turned to Ardin. "Ready to go?"
    "I am if you are."
    "Then we're off." Brett hoisted Leonie on his shoulders, and they headed for the exit.
    Ardin had to move quickly to keep pace with his long strides. It gave her pleasure seeing
him smile, proof that he was enjoying himself.
    Leonie leaned over and tugged at Ardin's ponytail. "Look, Cousin Ardin, I'm taller than you
are."
    "You sure are." Ardin brushed the back of her hand along Leonie's cheek. It felt sticky from
the ice cream she'd eaten on the way to the playground. She made a mental note to wash Leonie's
hands as soon as they passed a restroom.
    "Is anybody hungry?" Brett said.
    "Daddy, you forgot," Leonie scolded.
    "Forgot what?" He tilted his head from one side to the other. "Oh, my, how could I forget?"
Brett threw open his arms in an exaggerated gesture of surprise that sent Leonie into a fit of
giggles.
    "I told you, we have to stop by the supermarket to buy cookies for our party in nursery
school tomorrow."
    Brett turned to Ardin. "You don't mind, do you? It should only take a few minutes."
    Leonie tapped his head. "And we need milk and bananas for breakfast tomorrow,
remember?"
    "Of course, of course."
    "I can't wait to eat my regular cereal. I hate the cereal Grannie made me eat."
She grinned at Ardin. "But Cousin Ardin gave me toast and marmalade. She takes good care
of me."
    Ardin's ears grew warm as Brett turned to her and solemnly said, "We're lucky to have
Cousin Ardin."
    They climbed into the Jeep and drove to the mall a few blocks away. Ardin listened
as Leonie chattered on about school. How Duane Rogerson wet his pants for the third time
that month. She smiled when Brett asked Leonie if she would like to use a bathroom,
and Leonie admitted she wouldn't mind stopping at one the very second they reached the
mall.
    Ardin felt like singing--belting out "Cockeyed Optimist" from South Pacific --a
definite sign she was extraordinarily happy. Odd, since going to a playground, taking a little
girl to the bathroom, and