Firestorm by Iris Johansen Page A

her impression of Silver.
    “You're right,” Silver said. “I like warm colors and casual furniture.”
    “And Gwyneth Paltrow,” she murmured. Then she stiffened and said, “Were you spying?”
    “Nope. I told you that you were safe from me. But, considering how well I know you, it's not hard to read you.” He nodded at the buzzer on the table. “Ring if you need anything. I'll ask George to bring you some supper in an hour or so. Until then why don't you make a call to your brother and then relax. Take a long shower and let it iron out some of those kinks in your neck. You probably need time to adjust. Things have been moving pretty fast.”
    She did need downtime, but she resented him realizing it. It was almost as bad having him so familiar with her mental processes and responses as it was to have him inside her head. “And what are you going to do?”
    “I have a few calls to make.”
    “To Travis?”
    “And other associates.” He smiled. “My entire life doesn't revolve around Trask. It only seems that way.”
    She thought back to their first meeting. “Gillen? That's who you were on the phone with when I came into my kitchen that night.”
    He looked surprised. “You have a good memory. I didn't think you were paying any attention to anything but your friend Charlie's death that night.”
    “Oh, everything connected with you stands out crystal clear. Who is Gillen?”
    “The present bane of my existence. But no one you should be concerned about.”
    He wasn't going to tell her. “And when are we going to talk about Trask's prospective targets?”
    “Soon.” He turned away. “You only brought one bag. If you need any other clothes, just tell George and he'll have anything you need sent here from the local shops.”
    “I have enough to get by. I don't intend to dress for dinner.” She headed for the bathroom. “In spite of what George might think proper.”
    Two minutes later she was under the warm shower and muttering a curse beneath her breath. He was right. She did have kinks in her neck, and the shower was relaxing her. It was very annoying that he was so perceptive.
    Yet why was she so sure that he hadn't lied to her about not going inside her mind? She should probably be uneasy. But somehow she wasn't uneasy and she did believe him. Instinct? Whatever it was, she had to accept it. She couldn't keep doubting her feelings. She had to be confident that she was strong enough to know when he was trespassing. Otherwise their partnership would be a nightmare.
    Nightmare.
    She drew a deep breath as the thought hit her. This was the first time she would sleep since last night, the night of the fire. The night when Silver had assured her that she wouldn't dream of her mother's death. She hadn't believed him then, but there had been no real test. Trask had seen to it that her dream of fire had become reality.
    She closed her eyes. God, she hoped she had no dreams tonight. Her nerves were so taut that she was near to breaking. But she wouldn't break. She'd gone through these nightmare cycles many times through the years. She could do it again. So stop being a wimp. Get out of this shower and get something to eat and call Jason.
    She'd worry about the nightmares later.
             
    I brought you a steak, salad, and a lemon pudding,” George said when she opened the door to his knock. “Substantial but not overpowering.” He entered the room and set the tray down on the desk against the wall. “But I suggest you eat it, since you didn't touch a bite of the sandwiches I brought with the tea.”
    “I wasn't hungry.” Good Lord, she was actually feeling guilty. This was ridiculous. “Where's Sam?”
    “I left him in the kitchen playing with the cook's son. He seemed to be enjoying himself.” He poured coffee into a cup. “He's very good with children.”
    “Yes, he visits the pediatrics ward at the hospital every week. The kids love him.”
    “Well, he certainly isn't going to intimidate