The Killing Edge by Heather Graham

because, with traffic, something that was relatively close could become, in effect, very far away.
    But they had an easy ride that day, even though Sunday afternoons brought sunbathers, Sea-Dooers, boaters, fishermen and more out to Key Biscayne. The aquarium was nearly across the street—albeit a big street—from where the Stirling was moored.
    Chloe looked at him. “We’re going to Jimbo’s?” she asked, referring to the legendary south Florida restaurant.
    He laughed. “Close.”
    He guided her along the dirt track that led past a few businesses, the beer-and-bait shop and finally to the dock where the Stirling was berthed.
    As they parked, Chloe looked at him, laughing. “I never knew this place was here.”
    “Probably won’t be for much longer,” he told her. “If they sell out, I’ll move on, but in the meantime, I like it.”
    “I think it’s great,” she assured him.
    He didn’t know why, but he was glad that she liked his little corner of heaven. And then he told himself that he was an idiot, because he was glad just to have her on the boat.
    Distance, he warned himself. They needed to get along so they could work effectively together, but he needed tokeep his distance. She wasn’t the kind of woman a man could be casual about, she wasn’t a one-night stand or even a two-night stand, and definitely not…a friend with benefits.
    He turned away for a moment, grimacing. He really didn’t have to worry. She was damn good at keeping her distance, even when they touched suddenly or their eyes met. Chemistry might be a great thing, but it wasn’t something they should explore.
    She admired his boat, and he had to admit he was surprised that she seemed to know all about the year and model, and that she asked knowledgeable questions about the motor.
    “You still need to rent a boat from Brad, if you want to look respectable, or if you want to look the part, I should say,” she told him.
    “No problem. I don’t think the Stirling is right for the part, anyway. And I don’t want strangers aboard, so…”
    “You should get in touch with Brad sometime during the next few days, figure out just what you want. There’s a little place down in the Keys off the Overseas Highway—US1—where we usually get together and start out from. You’ll really like the island, too. There’s a lot of full-time staff, even though it’s small. I’m sure you know that—there are hundreds of islands down there. The agency developed this one years ago. It’s as much a resort for the execs and the models as it is a full-time locale for photo shoots. There’s a staff of five just for the water sports, and the main hotel and the bungalows have something like twenty housekeepers, another twenty in food services, a dozen security guys…five managers…I’ll forget someone, I’m sure. Some of theretired managers even have vacation homes of their own down there. The island is small, but it feels large, if that makes any sense.”
    He nodded. Small but big. Not a bad description.
    She moved suddenly. “I—I should get home. I have some things I want to do around the house.”
    “Sure.”
    The drive back was slower going, but once they were off the key, they reached her gate in ten minutes.
    Just before he got out, he asked her, “So, can you help me get to Rene?”
    “I can try, at least. Pick me up at seven tomorrow night. We’ll head over to the mansion.”
    He thanked her, and then there was an awkward moment as they just stared at each another. Damn. It was undeniable. There was something palpable between them.
    “Thank you for the help,” he said.
    She nodded. “You’re welcome. See you tomorrow night.”
    He watched her unlock the gate and drive inside, glad to see that everything seemed to be secure. He had a feeling that A.D.A. Leo Marin was extremely careful—and given his job, that was a smart move
    As she stopped to lock the gate behind her, Luke got in his car and drove away, thinking at first that