Free Desert Devil by Rena McKay

watch that. Some of these dips and washes may look as if they've been dry for a hundred years, but once in a while we get a real 'gully-washer' of a rain. I'd say your cousin made a pretty shrewd buy, getting that piece of land before values went up."
    Juli suspected David's purchase of the land was not so much a shrewd investment as a facet of his solitary character and a desire to be as far away from neighbors as possible, but she didn't say anything.
    "You could probably get more for the place if you want to hold it until the annexation goes through," the salesman added, "but if you're in a hurry to sell—"
    Juli nodded firmly. "I'm in a hurry." She hesitated a moment, eyeing the blue lines on the map indicating property borders. "Does the property join the Taylor land?"
    The salesman nodded and grinned. "Which doesn't hurt its value, either," he said. "Too bad its on the wrong side of the ridge, or the Taylors themselves might be interested."
    They settled on the asking price and the salesman jotted down a few more details. Juli started toward the door, pleased. The money from the sale, plus what Taylor Electronics was paying, would set Aunt Kate up quite nicely, especially now that she might be able to work part-time. Juli was just reaching for the door when an arm reached around and opened it for her.
    "Please, allow me," the man who had been at the next desk said. He smiled. "It's so nice to see a girl who looks all frilly and feminine. I get a little tired of athletic Western girls in pants who always look as if they're ready to rope a steer or brand a cow."
    Juli returned the smile. What he said was an exaggeration, of course, but it did give her spirits a nice lift. She murmured a thanks, letting it cover both the compliment and his courteous gesture. She started toward her car, not interested in furthering the acquaintance, but his next words stopped her short.
    "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help overhearing. I'm Brian Eames. I was hired to take David Flynn's place at Taylor Electronics."
    The shocked look on her face brought another apology to his lips. Stunned, Juli just looked at him. Her first reaction was an illogical surge of anger, like hearing of a first wife replaced by a second before the grave is hardly covered. No one could take David's place! But she quickly realized the unfairness of that, and with it came another thought. Brian Eames worked in the very job David had held. If anyone was in a position to know what David had done, it was this very man. If she could obtain inside information, perhaps a way could be found to circumvent that paper Aunt Kate had signed. If she could prove that Thorne and Taylor Electronics deliberately deceived or defrauded Aunt Kate—
    Juli gave Brian Eames her warmest smile and he stopped apologizing, seemingly a little dazzled. Guiltily, Juli realized she wasn't being quite honest, that there was an ulterior motive behind her sudden change in attitude, but she determinedly shoved the guilty feeling aside.
    "Somehow I didn't think you were a Cholla native," she said lightly. "You're from back East?"
    He nodded. "Shows that much, does it? Well, I can't say I'm sorry," he said cheerfully. "A tan is fine, but I prefer broiling a thick steak to overcooking my own skin—though I must say you've reached a very appetizing state of doneness," he added, eyeing her honey tan appreciatively.
    Juli just laughed. "Are you buying a home here?"
    "Thinking about it. Even if I don't stay here too long, a house should be a good investment, the way prices keep going up. I don't have a wife or family," he added.
    Juli eyed him reflectively. His comment that he might not be staying long interested her. Did he already have a grudge against Taylor Electronics? She wondered what to say next, now definitely wanting to prolong the conversation. Brian Eames made that easy.
    "Could I interest you in joining me for a nice cool margarita in the lounge around the corner?"
    Juli had