Free Certified Male by Kristin Hardy Page B

getting back to Jerry.”
    â€œEven if you didn’t tell the dealer your name, I can’t imagine anyone trying to get around someone like you. You mean business and it shows.”
    Outside on the Strip, a giant video screen showed a phalanx of dancers gyrating through a dance from the latest hit show. “I’m kind of in disguise.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œWell, I didn’t want Jerry recognizing me before I figured out what was going on. Joss fixed me up….” She stopped helplessly as Stewart began laughing, a deep belly laugh that went on and on. “Well, it’s not that funny,” she said frostily.
    â€œLittle Gwennie undercover.” Amusement was rich in his tone. “Sorry, I’m sure you look great.”
    â€œActually I’m a total babe,” she informed him, flopping down in one of the dark red upholstered chairs by the window. “The cab driver volunteered to take the day off and give me a personal tour of Vegas.”
    â€œI’m sure he did,” he said more soberly.
    â€œSo did the stamp dealer, but what he didn’t give me was anything on Jerry I could use.”
    â€œAssuming it’s this Jerry in the first place.”
    â€œIt’s Jerry, all right. Anyway, I wonder if you know the guy here. Tom Horton of LV Rarities?”
    Stewart considered. “I’ve met him once or twice.”
    â€œYou think you could give him a call, see what you can find out?” For now, Horton was her only link to Jerry and Jerry was her only link to the stamps.
    â€œI’ll do better. I’ll come out and do it in person.”
    Half of her was relieved, half of her felt like a kid whose parents were taking over. “You don’t have to do that, Stewart. I’ve got it under control for now.”
    â€œYou’re only three hours away, Gwennie. I can be there tonight.”
    â€œYou’ve got a business to run,” she protested.
    â€œSo what? This is Hugh’s future we’re talking about.”
    â€œI want to do it myself,” she burst out, knowing as she said it that it was true. There was silence on the line. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it to come out that way. Look,” she tried, “it was my fault the stamps got taken. I need to do this, to at least try to make it right. Can you understand that?”
    â€œI suppose.” His tone was guarded.
    â€œI need your advice and I need your connections. I just don’t need you here right now. You’re still helping me, though.”
    â€œNot enough.”
    â€œMore than enough,” she countered. “If you can get anything out of Horton, that would be huge. I’ll call if I need you out here.”
    â€œPromise?”
    â€œI swear. You’re always first on my list, you know that.”
    â€œOh, I bet you say that to all the middle-aged guys you know.” The tone was a little too hearty, but he sounded mollified.
    â€œOnly you.” Relieved to have the difficult moment past, Gwen smiled. “Were you able to find out anything on the other stamps?”
    â€œBig goose egg, which is good news for you. As near as I can tell, no one out there is putting out feelers on the Post Office Mauritius stamps or the inverted Jennys. I’m still waiting to hear on the two-penny.”
    There wasn’t a name for the level of relief she felt. “Maybe he’s lying low.”
    â€œProbably,” Stewart agreed. “You don’t have a lot of time to waste, though. Swear you’ll call me if you need help?”
    â€œI do. I’ll keep hunting and let you know what I find out.”
    â€œSame goes. And Gwennie?”
    â€œYeah, Stewie?”
    â€œBe careful.”
    Â 
    D EL CAME OUT OF THE CASINO office and stopped, surveying the room with the same amazement he always did. Noise, motion and color as far as the eye could see. Day or night, it was all the same, with the same