“I spoke with Devereaux just before you got in. They should have a full workup on Linda Glass by tomorrow, and he’ll let us know as soon as Gumm makes a move to check out our story.”

“Good enough.”

“Also, we’re invited to dine with Gumm and his lady on Friday evening.”

Mel cocked a brow. “Even better.” She leaned forward to kiss him. “You did good work, Donovan.”

“I suppose we make a fair team. Have you finished eating?”

“For now.”

“Then I think we should prepare for Friday night.”

“Prepare what?” She shot him a suspicious look as he pulled her to her feet. “If you’re going to start fiddling around with what I’m supposed to wear …”

“Not at all. It’s this way,” he told her as they walked out of the kitchen. “We’re going to be a devoted and deliriously happy married couple.”

“Yeah, so?”

“Madly in love,” he continued, drawing her toward the stairs.

“I know the drill, Donovan.”

“Well, I firmly believe in the Method school of acting. So I’m quite sure it will help our performance if we spend as much time as possible making love.”

“Oh, I see.” She turned, twining her arms around his neck and backing into the bedroom. “Well, like you said, we have to suffer for our work.”

*  *  *

Mel was certain that one day she would look back and laugh. Or at least she would look back with the grim satisfaction of having survived.

Since going into law enforcement she had been kicked, cursed, slugged, and insulted, had doors slammed in her face and on her foot. She’d been threatened, propositioned, and, on one memorable occasion, she’d been shot at.

All of that was nothing compared to what was being done to her in the Silver Woman.

The hotel’s exclusive and expansive beauty salon offered everything from a wash and set to something exotically—and terrifyingly—termed body wrapping.

Mel hadn’t had the courage for that one, but she was getting the treatment from head to toe—and every inch between.

She arrived moments before Linda and, falling back on her established persona, greeted the woman like an old friend.

During leg waxing—which, Mel discovered quickly enough, did hurt—they discussed clothes and hairstyles. Smiling through gritted teeth, Mel was glad she’d boned up for hours the night before with fashion magazines.

Later, while whatever pungent glop the beautician smeared on her face hardened, Mel chatted about how much she was enjoying living in Tahoe.

“Our view of the lake is incredible. I really can’t wait until we get to know more people. I love to entertain.”

“Jasper and I can introduce you around,” Linda offered as the pedicurist buffed her toenails. “Being in the hotel business, we know just about everyone you’d want to know.”