“Try to keep up with me, Roy. Yes, I know she was here. But now she’s not, and that’s our plan. We waited a few days for Riley to return, and when she didn’t, we went ahead with plans for the service. Got it?”

“Don’t treat me like an idiot, Rock. Yeah, I get it. I just don’t think anyone in the free world will buy it.”

“They’ll have to. It’s all we’ve got.”

“Why do I have to take part?”

“Because you’re a dutiful son.”

“Nope. Not doing it. You be the dutiful son.”

“Dude, I’m the only one who has an ironclad alibi. I wasn’t in the state when this all went down.”

“So? You’re the new CEO of the company. You should take the reins here.”

“Then who’s going to Montana to meet with our witness?”

“I am.”

“Why the hell would you want— Oh. I see.”

“What?” I asked, trying to sound innocent.

“You have the hots for Lacey’s assistant. I thought I saw a look pass between you two today. That’s it.”

I said nothing.

“No offense, but you don’t know these guys.”

“Hoss and Manny, you mean?”

“Yeah. And their witness. You won’t know what to ask or anything.”

“And you will? Or Charlie?”

“Lace is giving me a list of questions.”

“Which you can easily give to me.”

Silence.

Let him try to discount the logic. He wouldn’t be able to.

“Fine. You go.”

I smiled into the phone. “When do we leave?”

“Tomorrow morning. Eight a.m. sharp. Be at our private terminal at JFK.”

“Got it. We’ll be there.” I ended the call.

Back to business.

I had a naked woman in my bed.

To my dismay, however, Charlie had fallen asleep.

I smiled and kissed her silky cheek, and then I walked to the studio to have a look—

I stopped just short of the door.

No.

I’d promised her I wouldn’t look at the painting.

Normally, I’d think this was an innocent little violation of a promise that didn’t mean a whole lot. I mean, seriously. Who cared if I looked at her painting? She’d never know.

Odd.

I knew who cared.

I did.

I fucking cared.

I didn’t want to violate Charlie’s trust, even over something so minute.

I walked out to the kitchen, ate two spoons full of cold ziti, and drank a glass of water.

Then I joined Charlie in my bed.

The phone alarm went off at five a.m.

Charlie jerked upward. “What? Where am I?”

“Shh. You’re with me, silver. You fell asleep last night, and I didn’t want to wake you.”

“Oh. Yeah. What time is it?”

“Five o’clock.”