“I’m glad you phoned. It seems like it’s been forever. What’s going on?”

“Actually, I’m on a job.” Phone against her ear, Ellie left the kitchen and headed for her bedroom, where she wouldn’t be overheard if Maria came back to the house. “I’m working undercover on a ranch, trying to find the guy who murdered the owner’s wife eight years ago.”

“Wow, that sounds like an interesting case.”

“You could . . . umm . . . say that.”

“Okay . . . what’s that I’m hearing in your voice? What’s going on? Aside from work, I mean?”

There was no way to avoid the truth with Zoe. They’d been roommates for years, best friends for what seemed like forever.

Ellie sighed. “I’m sleeping with the owner. It’s highly unprofessional, I know, but somehow it just happened.”

“What’s his name?”

She hated to answer. Zoe would be on the internet the minute they hung up. “Kade Logan. He owns the Diamond Bar Ranch near Coffee Springs.”

Zoe was already typing away on her keyboard. “Oh, my God. Seriously? If he looks half as good as his picture, you’d be crazy not to sleep with him.”

Ellie thought of Kade’s hungry kiss that morning, and her stomach contracted. “It’s just physical. Neither of us is interested in a relationship.”

“Be careful, girl. You can tell yourself you aren’t interested in anything but sex, but part of you has been searching for the right man since you broke up with David.”

“Yes, and look where that got me. I married Mark, and he turned out to be a total snake. I’m not falling for Kade. With any luck, I’ll find the person who killed his wife and be on my way back to Denver.”

“After some great, very hot sex, I hope.”

“Exactly. What about you?”

“I’m dating a guy named Chad Wilson. We met at a gaming convention. He’s really great. Especially in bed.”

Zoe was petite, with short blond hair, a generous mouth, and an upturned nose that made her look like a pixie. Her nickname in college was Tinkerbelle.

“So this guy, Chad,” Ellie said. “Sounds like you really like him.”

“I do.”

“Then maybe you should give him a chance. He might turn out to be Mr. Right this time.”

“Yeah, maybe.” But Zoe didn’t sound convinced. She was even less trusting than Ellie. “So how can I help with your investigation?”

“Actually, there are two things going on at the ranch.” She explained about the shootings and the mine explosion. “I need you to look at a guy named Frank Keller. We think he’s behind the trouble Kade’s been having.” She gave Zoe everything she had on Keller, including the fact he was army EOD.

“What else?” Zoe asked.