Deadly Reunion (The Taci Andrews Deadly Series) by Amy Manemann Page A

a bubble bath and get ready for my date. I already assumed a quick nap was out of the question; guess there was no sleep for the weary.
    Gavyn stuck his head into Richard’s office after a quick rap on the doorframe. “Got a minute, or are you still cussing out the computer?”
    I shook my head, gathering my things from the desk as I stood. “Actually the cussing has ceased for now, to be continued. Right now I’m on my way out the door. Why, did you need something?”
    Gavyn paused as if contemplating the enormity of such a question. My stomach did a funny flip. “Nothing that can’t wait. Call me later.”
    Turning he disappeared back to where he’d come, leaving me to wonder when my life had gotten so complicated. Get a grip girl, he’s just a guy. Albeit a good looking one but just a guy, nonetheless. Willing myself onward I left Richard’s office.
     
    The development site was on the opposite end of town, the tall columns of the new resort could be seen from miles away. It was just another reminder that with the addition of Rosehill Resorts and Casino, Riverdale was becoming even more of a metropolis. Don’t get me wrong, I knew change was a good thing when it came to adding more jobs to the community. I just wasn’t sure if adding a casino was going to be necessarily a good change.
    The ringing of my cell phone drew my attention and I snapped it open. “Andrews.”
    “How did the shower treat you?” Tony’s voice purred in my ear; my heart skipped a beat.
    “Much better than your torture run this morning. Did you need something or were you trying to get out of going tonight?” I replied, hoping I didn’t sound as breathless as I suddenly felt.
    “Oh no Andrews, there’s no way I’m letting you off the hook tonight after a hot shower was promised. Where are you by the way? Reese said you were at work but your office is suspiciously empty at the moment,” he asked.
    I rolled my eyes, turning on my blinker to head down a dusty construction road. “I am working, I just don’t happen to be in my office. Why, what’s up?”
    It should have annoyed me that he was checking up on me but I couldn’t stop the warmth that spread to my never regions. Maybe Annie was right, that his feelings did go deeper than mere aggravation. Then again, this was the man who’d spent most of my high school years pissing me off. Better not give him the benefit of the doubt just yet.
    “Oh nothing much, just wanted to chat about a certain answering machine tape your brother happened to find on the kitchen counter. Since when do you get creepy phone calls left on your answering machine that you A, don’t tell me about and B, don’t take to the police?” he replied tensely. Crap, the tape!
    Maneuvering the car into a parking spot I grabbed up my purse, dumping the contents onto the passenger seat. The tape was gone and I did a mental recollection of where I’d found my purse this morning before leaving the house. It must have been dumped over when Tony brought me home last night but I didn’t notice the items had been carelessly tossed back into the purse before leaving earlier.
    Guess there was only one thing to do in a situation like this; play dumb. “Tape? What tape? I’m going to have to….call you….back….connection is….really bad….out here…”
    Flipping my phone shut I tossed it into the cup holder. Well I thought grimly, that went pretty well. The phone rang again and Tony’s number popped up on caller id. I didn’t answer it and it went to voicemail, of which I was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be a nice one. Heaving a sigh I gathered my phone and the items of my purse, tossing them back into place before exiting the car.
    What’s done was done. I couldn’t take back my childishness if I wanted to, which at the moment I didn’t. Since when did Parsons feel the need to involve himself in my life? And what business was it to him if I got creepy messages on my answering machine? All right, that