“It doesn’t bear repeating, okay?” Sunny said testily.
“And I suppose the dragonfly is self-explanatory, too. What are they, code names or something?”
“Fran-nie.”
“Okay, okay,” Fran said, starting the car. “But if you find out firsthand what we’ve been speculating on, it’s your duty as a best friend to tell me everything.”
Sunny was concentrating so hard that the telephone rang several times before she cursed, threw down her pencil, and got up to answer it.
“Hello.”
“Hi.”
Ty Beaumont’s voice lost none of its sensual punch through the telephone lines. She could swear she felt his breath in her ear. Her skin broke out in cold chills, even though it was the hottest time of the afternoon. She sank down onto the nearest chair.
“Wake up on the wrong side this morning?”
Sunny could hear the grin behind his words. “I’m sorry if I sounded cross. I was busy.”
“Sorry to catch you at a busy time.”
She lifted her heavy hair off her neck. “I needed to take a break anyway.”
“Working on the dragonfly?”
“She’s resolved. I’m working on a sea nymph now.”
“A sea nymph, huh? That sounds promising.”
“Yes, I think I have the very client in mind.”
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
“I know what you meant.”
He laughed easily. “Did you enjoy your lunch yesterday?”
Until you came along, she thought. “Dairy Mart cheeseburgers are almost as legendary as Woolworth’s cherry Cokes.”
“You and Fran have been friends for a long time, I take it.”
“Since grade school.”
“You must be enjoying your visit with her.”
“Very much.”
“Got a lot to talk about?”
“Always.”
“Did you talk about me?”
His intuition was exceeded only by his ego. “Look, Sheriff,” she said impatiently, “don’t you have any leads to follow up on? Any crimes to solve? I’m busy.”
“Is this what the famous Sunny Chandler brush-off sounds like?”
She wouldn’t even honor his question with an answer. “Was there something you wanted, Mr. Beaumont?”