Free Game On by Nancy Warren

efficient and modern. She knew how much more work a place like this would be, but it had a homey feeling that her own apartment somehow lacked.
    A short hallway off the living room must lead to bedrooms and a bathroom.
    His furniture was obviously chosen for comfort over style. Big oversize couch, a leather chair with an ottoman that faced a big-screen TV.
    “Sit down,” he said, ushering her into the living room.
    She sat on the couch, sinking back into the cushions, which seemed to hug her into themselves. He went to the fridge. “I’ve got beer or some wine.”
    “What kind of wine?”
    “I don’t know. Somebody gave it to me for my birthday.” He read the label. “It’s a chardonnay from California.”
    “That would be fine, thank you.”
    He brought her a glass of wine and himself a beer, then settled himself in the leather chair that was clearly his favorite spot.
    She sipped her wine, feeling suddenly nervous now that she knew the small talk and the house tour were over. He had his cop face on.
    “So,” he said, “tell me what’s been going on.”
    “I told you. I’ve been getting somewhat disturbing emails. You read them.”
    “And you’re a smart woman. You’ve had a few weeks to think about who your enemies are, who might be jealous of you or want to hurt you.”
    “I really didn’t think too much about them at first. I’m a fairly high-profile person with a public website. I get emails from people who are maybe very lonely or a little crazy or from perverts who think it’s highly amusing to misunderstand the meaning of performance coach. ”
    He made a wry face but remained silent.
    “I was going to delete them. I try not to keep anything negative in my personal space.” She felt the effort he was putting into not rolling his eyes. “But Lisa made me keep them. She’s the one who’s been filing them, as I told you.”
    “Good for Lisa.”
    “It wasn’t until that text today that I realized it has to be someone who knows me. Who could see what I’m wearing.”
    “Tell me about your enemies.”
    “I don’t have any.”
    “I hate to be the voice of doom, but I think you do.”
    She took another sip of wine. “Nobody obvious springs to mind.”
    “Okay. A jealous rival? As you say, you’re pretty high profile. Have you pissed off another performance coach? Is there someone out there who thinks they deserve all your success?”
    “Of course there are other coaches who aren’t as successful, but it’s like that in any business. I’m sure there are people who would love to have my career, but they can. Anyone can be successful if they put some effort into it.”
    He held up a hand. “Okay. Don’t want your coaching philosophy—I want you to think of people who might be jealous enough that they’d try to hurt you.”
    “I can’t think of anyone.”
    “What about Lisa?”
    “Lisa? My assistant?”
    He nodded. “She wants to be a partner. And you don’t take partners. Maybe she’s pissed enough to try and take you down. Remember, that text came right after I walked in on a kind of tense moment. Maybe she decided to rattle your cage.”
    “But we work together. I’ve mentored her. I trust her.”
    “Not enough to bring her into the business.”
    “That’s different.”
    “Maybe it isn’t to Lisa.”
    She couldn’t stand the thought of Lisa sabotaging her. “Lisa is the one who made me keep the emails. She’s keeping the file. And—” she hated to admit this “—Lisa suggested I tell the police. I’m sure she’s not behind this.”
    She doubted he was as certain, but he didn’t pursue Lisa anymore. “Okay. Personal life. Lovers.”
    She felt a warmth tinge her cheeks. “I don’t have any lovers.” Or much of a personal life, if she was honest.
    “Former lovers. Old boyfriends with a grudge.”
    “I try to leave every relationship on a positive note.”
    He stared at her for a long moment. “I can’t help you if you spout bullshit off your website.