Free Annie Seymour 01-Sacred Cows by Karen E. Olson Page B

something there. Call it weird intuition.
    “There’s got to be something here,” I said.
    I suddenly remembered Dick was supposed to be the enemy. But I just wasn’t in the mood.
    Dick was scrolling through the headlines, and something jumped out at me. “Stop, go back a couple.”
    “Torrey joins City Hall staff,” I read. “Click on it.”
    Mark Torrey was appointed assistant corporation counsel. He formerly worked for developer Lundgren and Associates. Shit. If he was involved with the redevelopment plans on behalf of the city, this was a huge conflict of interest. Or a big fucking scandal.
    “He’s got to be a major player,” I said, more to myself than to Dick. “Why did he leave Lundgren for the city? The city pays shit, he probably was rolling in dough before.”
    “He says here that he wanted to ‘give something back’ to the city he grew up in.” Dick was getting into it, even though we didn’t know what we were getting into.
    “Bullshit. There’s money for him in this, and probably for a lot of other people, too.” I wondered if Torrey was really in California.
    I thought about Allison and wondered if she saw Torrey or one of the other McGee guys last night after she saw me. It was possible. She was a little squirrelly. I wished I hadn’t given her a carte blanche off the record and that I’d gotten her phone number. I’d have to go hunting her down at the school, and who knew if I’d have any luck.
    The phone rang, startling both of us.
    “Newsroom,” I answered.
    “I thought I’d find you there.” I’m sure my mother has embedded some sort of radar tracking device on my person without me knowing about it. Either that or she really is the genius she likes everyone to think she is.
    “What’s up?” I was watching Dick scroll down through more headlines.
    “Tonight, dear. I’m calling to make sure you haven’t forgotten.”
    I sighed dramatically. “No, Mother, I haven’t forgotten,” although I almost had. But I wouldn’t let her know that. “Eight o’clock?” I was guessing, I couldn’t remember if she’d given me a time.
    “That’s right. Wear something flattering. Maybe you could have your hair done, it always looks like you’ve just come out from under a helicopter.”
    I bit back a smart retort that would get me nowhere. I had no intention of “having my hair done,” but now I would be self-conscious about it all night.
    “I’m a little busy,” I tried.
    “I’m serious, Anne. I want you to look your best tonight.” She had an ulterior motive, and those usually involved a man.
    “I don’t want to get fixed up,” I said, very aware of Dick’s eyes on me and not on the computer. I didn’t want him knowing my business.
    “He’s just someone I want you to get to know. Just be friendly.” I heard the dial tone and hung up.
    “Your mother found a man for you?” Dick’s eyes were laughing, and he was trying not to smile. “What about that cop?”
    “I don’t want to discuss it.” I stared at him, hoping looks really could kill, but he just continued to sit there. “We need to find out what’s going on with this city project. I wonder where Kevin is.” Kevin Prisley was the City Hall reporter.
    “He’s in Block Island for two weeks,” Dick volunteered. “Left yesterday.”
    Why wasn’t I in the loop anymore? Maybe I really should leave this business, if I couldn’t even keep tabs on my colleagues and this boob could.
    The boob was talking. “Maybe you could do this escort thing and you could meet these guys undercover.”
    I didn’t think so. “Give me a break, Dick. Hickey Watson already told me I wasn’t exactly what his clients are looking for.” And after spending time with Allison, I knew I didn’t want to be on the inside in that world.
    “But they wouldn’t have to know anything about you before, well, your date. And maybe you could ditch them after dinner or something, after you get your information.”
    I shook my head. “I