Free Intrusion by Arlene Kay Page B

“I’ll bet you’ll find that Ian character was involved too. Every woman I knew either trained with him or wanted to.” She winked. “They said he exercised every muscle in your body, even ones your husband hadn’t worked in years, if you get my drift.” She hugged herself. “It’s … it’s not really funny. I’m scared.”
    “Hold on. Let’s analyze this thing calmly. After all, people with medical problems die all the time no matter how closely they’re monitored. Even if CYBER-MED had all of them as clients, the worst case would be negligence. That keeps lawyers like me in business. You know how cautious Tommy was. He was paranoid about lawsuits and probably wanted to run that stuff by me.”
    Candy pointed an accusing finger at me. “What did Dr. Dreamy say about that? Something about dangerous short-cuts, right?”
    “I didn’t really listen to him. He’s a fanatic. I told you that.” I turned my face toward the window to avoid her gimlet eye. Why did I bother?
    “Elisabeth Mae Buckley, you’re blushing.” Candy forgot her night terrors and spun me around. “What really happened last night with Luc? Come on, spill.”
    “Nothing.” I bent over my briefcase and grabbed a pen.
    “I know. He made love to you, didn’t he? Frenchmen are so passionate.”
    “Certainly not! He only kissed me.” Oops. I was out of practice keeping secrets.
    Those cat eyes glowed with excitement. Candy was more turned on than I was.
    “Kissed you? Tell me everything.” She sat on the corner of my desk.
    “It was a mistake. You know I’m not interested in men. I’m still with Kai.”
    Her sigh filled the room. “Honey, I loved Kai too. He was special, but you can’t spend your life in mourning. You’ll be mummified like a museum relic. You’re young. You need a flesh and blood man, one who can give you babies.”
    Aristotle called friendship a single soul dwelling in two bodies. Ari never met Candace Ott . Her rapacious soul trampled my tender feelings without a scintilla of guilt. Still, I couldn’t lash out. She was all I had.
    “I’ll verify this tomorrow once I get settled at CYBER-MED. I’m sure it’s something innocuous.”
    She fingered my silver letter opener. “Tommy’s dead. Murdered. That’s not innocuous. And what about that tape?”
    “Forget about that stuff. I’ll start with the financials tomorrow and see where that leads.” This time I was the one pointing a finger. “And you butt out. No more matchmaking or mooning over Lucian Sand unless you want him for yourself. Agreed?”
    Candy gave a little half smile and nodded. “Dr. Dreamy doesn’t want me anyhow. Must have a thing for redheads.” She twirled a ringlet around her pinky. “Besides, I have a date tonight. Arun is taking me to L’Espalier . I’m so psyched.”
    “Wow, you must have made quite an impression. That’s pretty pricey.” L’Espalier , the pride of Boylston Street, was one of Boston’s best restaurants. I hadn’t been back there in some time.
    “What about you? Want to tag along?”
    I chuckled at that one. “Yeah, it’s my dream to chaperone you. Go along and have fun. Della and I have some things to do here. And don’t worry. I’ll be very careful.”
     
    ~
     
    There were plenty of items about Secretary of State Richard Chernikova , but none of them mentioned IMDs or CYBER-MED. I felt reasonably certain that he had an insulin pump and positive that his medical business would remain his own. Chernikova was a polarizing figure around the world, accused of being a Zionist or a cowboy, depending on the political bent of his enemy. Personally, I admired his blunt pragmatism. He had been a rousing commencement speaker at our law school graduation. Kai’s family had once owned a summer home near the Chernikovas , and he’d described them as solid people with a bent for public service. His endorsement was good enough for me.
    At six-thirty Della gave me the eye. Herding dogs are masters of that. It