Midas Murders [Book 3 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] by Janet Lane-Walters

risk my daughter's life."
    If this event had been planned to drive Lars and me apart, it was succeeding. I needed to change the subject before we quarreled. “What is Damon planning?"
    He shook his head. “Nothing to concern you. There's a matter I have to solve on my own."
    "You asked me to marry you. Isn't part of a marriage the sharing of problems?"
    "Since we're not married, I'll keep my secrets. Look, I'm edgy. I feel helpless. All I can do is think about my daughter."
    "Fretting won't change things. You've paid the ransom. You should have word soon."
    "Maybe, but it's Friday. The kidnappers might not be able to assess the funds until Monday."
    "Call Don and have that talk."
    "Might as well get all the bad news in the open.” He went to the living room. A moment later he returned. “He'll be over when Megan wakes from her nap."
    * * * *
    "Pop, we come,” Megan called.
    Lars swept the child into his arms. She planted a kiss on his cheek. “So I see."
    "You and Aunt Kaferine wented away. Where you go?"
    "Skiing and to see your daddy's pictures.” Lars put her down.
    I held out my hand. “Come with me. Your daddy and grandfather need to talk."
    "We bake a cake?” she asked.
    "Not today, but we can make some cookies. I think I saw some chocolate chips in the pantry."
    Lars chuckled. “By the time you leave, I'll have gained twenty pounds."
    "I'll send the cookies home with Megan."
    Don laughed. “We'll take them."
    Megan skipped ahead of me. We soon had two pans in the oven. I put the bowl in the sink with the other dishes I was soaking.
    "What you doing?” Megan asked.
    "The dishes."
    "Daddy use the washer fing."
    "So do I most of the time, but the dishwasher doesn't always get the dishes clean.” I showed her the dried cheese on one of the plates from lunch.
    She nodded and for an instant looked old and wise. “I tell Daddy."
    "Where's Rose Prairie?"
    "Her's sleeping so we leave her home."
    "Good idea. Kittens need a lot of sleep."
    She pointed to the counter. “Our cake."
    "Would you like the last piece?"
    "Yes."
    I gave her the cake and a glass of milk. The oven timer buzzed. I took the cookie sheets from the oven and put the cookies on a rack to cool.
    Megan alternated bites of cake with tales of Rose Prairie and her toys. “Her run after the ball and hit it...I wind up the mouse...Her was scared...Now her jump on it."
    A scowling Don entered the kitchen. “Button, we're going home. We've things to do."
    Lars appeared in behind his son. “Don't do this."
    "Don, Lars, what's going on?"
    "He's giving my sister her way again,” Don said. “I want no part of the business. He's refused to honor his promise to buy me out and won't give a reason. That doesn't matter. Megan and I are leaving Santa Fe today."
    "I can't give you what you want. Son, you don't understand."
    "Then explain what I already know. It's whatever Bonnie wants, Bonnie gets. She told me she'd make sure I never saw a cent."
    Lars groaned. “She's not to blame. There's a problem. I may have to put my retirement plans on hold."
    "That will please my sister. How many times has she screamed that you can't retire and that you can't leave her?"
    Sadness aged Lars’ features. “I spoiled her. That was wrong, but I can't change the past and I can't give you the money."
    Don reached for Megan's hand. “Time and time again you've given Carl money to pay his gambling debts. I don't even need a whole share. Just enough to buy a house so Megan and I don't have to live in an apartment."
    Lars sank on a chair. “There's a big house back there that's empty for most of the year."
    "What a good idea,” I said.
    Don turned to me. “Are there good pre-schools in the area?"
    "Several. A friend of mine runs a Montessori program I'd recommend. When I return home, I'll have her send you an information packet and when you arrive, I'll introduce you."
    That idea made me smile. Though years ago I'd forsworn matchmaking, that didn't mean I couldn't bring two