Prime Cut by Diane Mott Davidson

"And don't ever, ever come back. For any reason."
     
     
Craig Litchfield flicked his cigarette butt into Tom's roses. An arc of smoke hung briefly in the air as he thrust his hands into his pockets, rocked back on his heels, and considered us.
     
     
"Okay, Goldy Bear Schulz," he said at last. "We go up against each other again a week from today. You change your mind before that, call me."
     
     
8
     
     
Julian and I coaxed Jake up onto the porch. Marla went inside for a clean, wet washcloth. I dabbed Jake's wound; the poor dog squirmed and refused to keep still. Promising to call later in the week, Marla reluctantly left for her match with the IRS. Shortly thereafter, Tom and Arch returned. Arch's joy at Julian's arrival turned to distress when he saw Jake. Tom insisted on taking Jake to the vet; Arch refused to stay home and went with them. Returning to the kitchen, I mentally swore revenge on Craig Litchfield's black heart.
     
     
"How does he know about me?" Julian demanded as I rinsed the pork chops I'd bought for the evening meal. I had no idea what to serve meat-shunning Julian. As if reading my mind, he began scrubbing large baking potatoes. No doubt he would conjure up a vegetarian dish more inspiring than anything in my repertoire. "I mean," he went on, "how does he know my background? About college? How does he know what kind of cooking I do?"
     
     
"I have no idea," I admitted as I covered the chops and put them into the walk-in refrigerator. "But I'm wondering if he has a rich aunt. He runs huge ads and charges less than the cost of ingredients. He must be losing money on events. Then he offers you twice an unknown salary to work for him. How does he do it?"
     
     
"He's a creep," Julian said fiercely as he fitted my food processor with the grating blade. "Don't worry - we'll beat him. We're just going to have to cook better than he does, that's all."
     
     
I smiled at him. "That's what Andr‚ said."
     
     
"I just wish I knew how he gets his information."
     
     
"Julian, so do I. The man's making me paranoid." Julian shook his head, then savagely pushed a hunk of fresh Parmesan cheese into the growling food processor. "You've got an open window right over your sink. Your computer's right on the counter. You have a password for your programs?"
     
     
I thought of Arch and his fascination with encryption."
     
     
"No."
     
     
"Install one," Julian said grimly.
     
     
Tom and Arch returned with Jake, whose wound had been cleaned and smeared with antiseptic. Tom repeated the vet's warning that we were to watch the hound over the next few days for signs of fever or swelling, indications that an infection might be setting in.
     
     
Arch watched Julian's skillful moves as he organized a meal on the scratched Formica counter. "I am so happy you're here," he said awkwardly. At fourteen, Arch did not initiate physical affection.
     
     
Julian set aside the grated Parmesan and grabbed Arch in a bear hug. "Hey, man, great to see you, too. Still doing magic? What's your latest project?"
     
     
"Well... Todd and I are working on some high-tech stuff I have a whole display of it in my - our - room," Arch replied shyly. "First I have to show you the cat's new spot. Want to see both?"
     

 
"You bet."
     
     
I followed them upstairs. Tom, mumbling vaguely about woodwork, retired to the basement. While I unfurled clean sheets, Arch proudly showed Julian how Scout the cat had made a hidden home under Julian's old bed. Scout had fled inside during the Litchfield encounter. Now he eased from his spot to rub against Julian's stubbly cheek. Julian howled with laughter. Arch's wide grin made me smile.
     
     
Back in the kitchen, I pored over my computer manual and eventually chose and entered a password. Rock music reverberated from the boys' room overhead. At four o'clock, Julian came down to help with the evening meal. I shaped, knotted, and covered rolls from a recipe Andre had laboriously copied out and