Six

       K asey couldn’t concentrate. Her mind kept wandering.

      Following her lunch with Ginger, she had returned to the empty agency. After locking the front door that remained adorned with a wreath in Shirley’s memory, she had headed straight to her partner’s office and locked the door behind her.

      Lately she had become cautious to a fault.

      Her plan was to go through Shirley’s desk, to see if she could find anything that would give her a clue as to who had taken her life. Too, she wanted to see if she could find any evidence as to why the agency had taken such a downward spiral financially.

      At this point, she had no idea what she was looking for. She had taken the general ledger home that the bookkeeper, Nelda Parrish, was responsible for, but it had shown nothing out of the ordinary, which was not surprising.

      Kasey’s hand faltered. Even now, she found it difficult to invade Shirley’s privacy. It felt like she was somehow further violating the dead woman. Temporarily abandoning her task, she looked around. Shirley had made the most of where she spent the majority of her time.

      The room was decorated in soft, soothing hues of green and taupe. Creative artwork adorned the walls, and personal memorabilia was placed just right on various tables and shelves. The ambience bespoke of money and power. But then the other offices were by no means shabby. The company occupied one entire floor of this upscale building thereby proving its former success.

      What happened?

      That question gnawed at Kasey. Yet she continued to hesitate to open the first drawer. It was then that she heard a noise. With goose bumps feathering her skin, she got up and went to the door. However, she didn’t open it. She leaned against it and listened. Several of the employees had keys. After listening a few more minutes and hearing nothing, Kasey felt silly, reminding herself that Detective Spiller lurked outside.

      Besides, no one would likely make a appearance today unless it was Tanner. But after the episode in the restaurant, she didn’t think that likely.

      Following Ginger’s bombshell that he’d just entered the restaurant, Kasey had been loath to turn around. Luckily she’d been spared. Tanner and his companion had strode past their table, nodded, then moved on. An immense feeling of relief had left Kasey weak, though she’d fought hard not to let her composure slip in front of Ginger.

      “Man oh man,” Ginger had whispered, her eyes flashing. “TV doesn’t do him justice. He’s some eye candy.”

      Kasey had to laugh, but then she scolded her friend. “Behave yourself.”

      “Why?” Ginger’s tone was innocent. “He’s a widower, so he’s available.”

      “You don’t know that.”

      Ginger sighed. “You’re right, I don’t. I just betcha he has to beat women off with a stick. I’d have to take a ticket and get in line.”

      Kasey rolled her eyes.

      “Hey, you sure you’re not holding out on me, that you don’t know more?”

      “Yes, I’m sure,” Kasey all but snapped, giving Ginger an incredulous look. She had known Tanner had been married and that his wife had died from a heart condition. Mark had told her that. But as to the status of his current sex life, God forbid she had any idea.

      “Too bad.”

      “Hey, are you forgetting you’re not available?”

      “Hopefully I soon will be.” Ginger’s mouth turned down. “Though I’m beginning to think Matt’s not going to ever let me go.”

      “Yes, he is,” Kasey exclaimed in a firm tone. “He has no choice. He can’t stop you from getting the divorce. Just hang tough and you’ll get rid of him and get what you want to boot.”

      “I’m counting on that.” Ginger’s features brightened. “If Tanner hires your agency, who knows what will happen.”

      Kasey shuddered to think just how true that was.

      “It could mean that what you want is finally within reach,” Ginger added.

      “That’s a big if, my friend, so just forget it.”

      “His offer?” Ginger sounded appalled. “You’d forget that?”

      “Yes.”

      Ginger waved her hand. “Pooh, I don’t believe you for a second. If and when he comes with an offer, you won’t turn him down. If you do, I’m going to have your head examined.”

      Now, as Kasey thought back on that part of the conversation, she wished she’d kept her mouth shut, that she hadn’t said anything to Ginger. Tanner probably wouldn’t even approach her which would let her off the hook. But if he did, she’d have to ask herself why.

      He had to know the agency was in trouble, didn’t he? Maybe not. He had more important things on his mind than a floundering ad agency. Yet she hadn’t mistaken what he’d said. Kasey blew out a breath and tried not to think about him or his intentions. If he called or showed up, she’d deal with him then.

      The phone jangled beside her. She answered on the fourth ring. “Parker Agency.”

      “Kasey, it’s Tanner.”

      He didn’t need to identify himself. She recognized his voice the second he’d said her name. “Yes,” she said, gripping the phone.

      “I’m outside, in my car. Is it all right if I come in?”

      “Now?” she asked inanely.

      “Yes, unless it’s not a good time.”

      Kasey hesitated, but only for a second. “I’ll meet you at the door.”

      Moments later, she had ushered him into her office, relieved to be back on familiar ground, though her domain was not nearly on a par with Shirley’s. In fact, she hadn’t bothered to decorate her office, since her situation there had been so tenuous.

      “Sit down,” she said in as normal a tone as possible.

      “Thanks.” He lowered his big frame into the chair, all the while looking at her.

      It was all she could do not to flush under his scrutiny. “I haven’t made any coffee.”

      He shook his head. “I don’t need any more today. I’ve had more than my share.”

      She nodded.

      “You’re not comfortable with this, with me, are you?”

      Kasey felt the pulse in her throat beat overtime. “I don’t know what you mean.”

      “Sure you do. You wish I hadn’t come.”

      She met his narrowed gaze head on. “If that were the case, I wouldn’t have let you in.”

      “Good, that means we can do business.”

      “I didn’t say that, Tanner.”

      “Right,”