Orchid by Jayne Castle Page A

lab technician Brizo believes stole the relic.”
    Orchid brightened. “There’s a suspect?”
    â€œYes. But he’s dead.”
    â€œDead.” She stared at him, astonished. “I don’t understand. Who is this suspect?”
    Rafe hesitated. “Theo Willis.”
    For a few seconds, Orchid could not even get her mouth closed, let alone speak. When she finally overcame her dumbfounded reaction, she slammed the glass of moontree brandy down with such force that several drops splashed on the table.
    â€œThat’s impossible,” she declared.
    â€œIt’s what Brizo believes.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you say anything earlier?” Orchid leapedto her feet. “You let Morgan and me blather on about Theo all evening and you never once mentioned that he was a suspect.”
    â€œBe reasonable, Orchid. I didn’t know the name of the person for whom you and Morgan wanted to hold your little wake until we got to the Volcano Club. By then, it was too late. I couldn’t say anything in front of Morgan. This is a highly confidential case.”
    â€œThat’s no excuse. You should have said something earlier.”
    â€œI wanted to lay out the whole case before I did that. I knew it would upset you to learn that a friend was involved.”
    â€œI’m not upset, I’m pissed off.” She leveled a finger at him. “What’s more, I’ve got a big clue for you, Mr. Investigator. You’re headed down a dead-end trail if you think that Theo Willis was a thief. He was a trifle wacko, but he was not dishonest.”
    â€œAll I’m saying at this point is that Brizo thinks he was involved in this thing.”
    â€œI refuse to believe that Theo stole that artifact. And I’m certainly not going to help you prove that he did.”
    â€œOrchid, wait—”
    â€œI quit. Find yourself another prism. I’m going to call a cab. And then I’m going to call another private investigator.”
    â€œWhat the hell for?”
    â€œTo help me prove that Theo didn’t steal that relic.” She stalked to the massive, Later Expansion period table and snatched up the phone. “I’m going to clear his name.”
    â€œDamn it—” Rafe started toward her.
    â€œDon’t come near me.” She punched out the number of the cab company she routinely used. Then she turned quickly, holding up a hand to ward him off. “Stay back.”
    His eyes darkened. “Stop giving me orders as if I were a cat-dog.”
    She felt the heat suffuse her face a second time. “I never meant—”
    â€œYes, you did.” He snatched the phone out of her hand and slammed it back down into the cradle. “Calm down and listen to me. You can’t walk out now.”
    â€œWatch me.”
    â€œI’m the one who’s been hired to solve this case. If you really want to prove that Theo Willis did not steal that artifact, working with me is the most efficient way to do it.”
    His logic brought her up short. She drummed her fingers on the table, thinking quickly.
    â€œI hate to admit it, but you’ve got a point,” she said finally.
    His jaw tightened. His expression was stark. “There’s another reason why I want you to work with me on this case.”
    â€œYeah, I know. You want me because I’m the best prism you’ve ever had.”
    â€œBecause I want you. Period.” His hands closed around her shoulders. “The only question I have at the moment is, do you want me?”
    She stared at him, stunned into silence by the dark flames of sexual desire that leaped in his eyes. An answering heat stirred deep within her.
    â€œOh, my,” she whispered. “So you feel it, too.”
    â€œIf you’re talking about what happens when we link, yes. I feel it. That’s not a problem.”
    â€œIt’s not?”
    â€œI could deal with that, if there wasn’t