Determined to hide her nervousness, Susan hurried on. “It’s kind of you to give us your time. This is a new and frightening experience. I’m sure you’ve been through it before. We deeply appreciate your help.” As smoothly as possible, she retrieved her hand.
He offered her the faintest tip of his head. “My pleasure.” Then he turned to Savannah and without a trace of a drawl said, “This has to be your sister. Her pictures don’t do her justice. She’s stunning. Why have you been hiding her?”
Momentarily amused, Savannah argued, “I haven’t been hiding her. You saw her at the party I threw at my father’s house last year.”
He shook his head. “I would have remembered.” He looked at Susan again. A faint smile touched his lips. “She really is a beauty.”
“Uh-huh,” Savannah said, still slightly amused.
Susan wasn’t amused. With the disappearance of Sam Craig’s drawl, she felt taken for a fool. She didn’t like that at all.
Addressing herself to him, she said, “Did no one ever tell you that it’s impolite to talk about someone as though she weren’t there?”
“Is it?” Sam asked innocently. “Funny, you seemed to feel it was okay when you did it to me a minute ago.”
“That was different. I didn’t know who you were.”
“Then it’s okay in some situations but not others? If I’d have been a thug, like you first thought, it would have been all right?”
“When I first saw you, I was frightened. I was talking to my sister.”
“About me, within easy earshot.” His drawl returned. “You’re a snob, Miss Susan.”
“And you’re out of line, Lieutenant. As a member of the police department, your job is to serve the taxpayers of this state. Given the hefty chunk the state takes from my income each year, I’d say a little respect is in order.”
In a perfectly respectful tone, Sam asked, “And what do you do to earn that income?”
Impertinent question though it was, it held enough of a dare to goad Susan. “I allow various banks and foundations and corporations the use of my money. In that sense, I’ve been involved in urban renewal, cancer research, and higher education. I serve on the boards of two art museums, one historical society, and hospitals both in Rhode Island and New York. I also happen to know how to give a party, and considering that a single evening’s event can raise several million dollars for one worthy cause or another, that’s nothing to sneeze at.” Drawing herself straighter, she said, “I’d think about that, if I were you, Lieutenant. I’d think about it the next time you put on that drawl and come at me with that sexy walk. We’re not in the same league, you and I. Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s true.”
She started to walk past him, then, on impulse, stopped and reached up to lightly brush her fingers through the shorter layers of hair by his cheek. “Nice cut, though. Maybe you’d give me the name of your stylist. Lately I haven’t been able to do a thing with my hair.” With a haughty smile, she left the room.
Sam stared after her. For another minute, he remained silent. Then he muttered, “Jesus, she’s tough.”
Savannah shook her head. “It’s a front. She’s having a hard time finding direction in her life.”
He snorted. “Could’ve fooled me. Sure sounded as though she knows exactly where she’s at.”
“She can be glib when she wants. It’s a defense mechanism. She’s really insecure.”
He turned to stare thoughtfully in the direction in which Susan had disappeared. “She’s so different from you.”
“I have my insecurities, too.”
“But you’ve never come on with a power play like that.”
“I’ve never had to, at least, not with you. You don’t threaten me. But you threaten Susan.”
He looked perplexed. “Are you kidding?”
Savannah shook her head. “You’re strong. You know where you are and why you’re there.”
He laughed in disbelief. “Your sister isn’t threatened by me. Weren’t you listening to her? She thinks I’m way below her.”
“You didn’t see her expression when you first came in.”
“Sure I did. I was looking straight at her.”
“But you didn’t see her expression.”
