Stepping gingerly into the deep, hot water, Annette reminded herself that she didn’t have sex with men for pleasure. She rarely had sex at all, and then only to accomplish a goal unattainable by any other means. As she had with Carson Tanner. However noble, in the end he was no different from all the others.
Closing her eyes, she blocked the deluge of memories that attempted to flood her.
Don’t go back there.
She reclined in her tub and allowed the liquid warmth to envelop her. Reaching for her glass, she considered that she could take her money and disappear. There was more than enough to live on quite comfortably for some time.
But she had other obligations from which she could not so easily walk away. That would not be so readily transitioned. Her sister. There was no quick fix there.
Panic tightened her throat.
Everything Annette did, had ever done, was for one reason. She could not fail now. She had to hold her ground.
A new surge of determination fortified her. Oh, yes, she would do whatever was necessary. She would not lose. She drank deeply of her martini, relished the instant warmth that settled deep inside her.
Annette had been repairing situations for nearly a decade. There wasn’t anyone in enough trouble or an act so horrendous that she couldn’t turn it around.
She would not ... could not fail the only person in this world who meant anything to her ... her sister.
“I’m sorry to trouble you again.”
Annette started at the sound of Daniel’s voice. He waited at the door. Why hadn’t he gone home already?
“What?” She hadn’t meant to snap, but she was so tired. Talking, thinking, none of that appealed to her. She needed quiet ... and maybe a second martini.
“I just heard,” he said, regret lining his face, “Jazel Ramirez was killed in a car crash today.”
Jazel? How could that be? Annette had rendezvoused with her little more than two hours ago. She’d used Jazel’s red Mustang to give the feds the slip and to annoy Carson Tanner. Jazel had been fine when Annette had retrieved her Lexus ...
She reached for the calm that had deserted her, pushing aside the emotions that would have to wait. “When did this happen?”
“Shortly after five this evening,” Daniel explained gently. “The accident is under investigation. According to our favorite reporter, Nadine Goodman, foul play is suspected considering the condition of Jazel’s Mustang.”
The dark sedan Annette had noticed in her rearview mirror more than once today tugged at her instincts. What color had it been? Navy? Black? Black, she was pretty sure.
An ache pierced her.
Was this merely a warning? Or was she to be terminated in the fullest sense of the word?
“Thank you, Daniel,” she said, her voice lacking its usual resolve. Annette summoned her courage. No weakness. No fear. “Thank Nadine for me, too,” she said with considerably more potency. “Let me know if you hear anything else.” She fought a second onslaught of emotion. “Also, see that Jazel’s family has anything they need.”
“Of course, Ms. Baxter.” Her faithful assistant hesitated before leaving her.
“Is there something else, Daniel?” She needed to be alone. To grieve ... to regenerate her weary soul.
“You didn’t mention putting Mr. Tanner on your calendar for tomorrow.” He clasped his hands in front of him. “Does that mean you accomplished your goal during your last meeting?”
Confused and too damned tired to discuss anything at this point, Annette was vaguely aware of shaking her head. “I’m not sure about that yet ...” She searched Daniel’s face, trying without success to decipher what was on his mind. “Is there something on my calendar I’ve forgotten?” Generally her assistant didn’t question her intentions; he simply juggled her appointments and took care of her personal needs. Admittedly, she’d been stressed of late. Perhaps he was merely concerned.
Shewas concerned.
“You have a meeting with Commissioner Schmale regarding the Festive Fundraiser at ten. Then a two o’clock with Lois Campbell to discuss the October Art Friends auction.”
Both those meetings had been scheduled for a while. She had nothing else to add. Nothing Daniel or anyone else needed to know about anyway. “Very well. Thank you, Daniel.”
Her assistant left her alone once more.
The steamy water felt abruptly cold. Annette shivered.
