2 Pane of Death Read Free Page A

in yet.
    “Good.” She was definitely relieved now. “I’ll swing by about ten, all right?” She raised her glass. “To a rewarding collaboration.”
    I raised mine in response, feeling a small tingle of excitement. If I could keep any control over my part in this project, it might even be fun—especially if I got to hobnob with someone of Peter Ferguson’s stature. Apparently I was a groupie at heart. “Hear, hear.”

Chapter 2

    Maddy and I parted ways outside El Saguaro, after she had generously picked up the tab. I walked back slowly, turning over what she had said. Something still didn’t feel right. Why would a computer mogul worth millions pick artsy dabbler Madelyn Sheffield to execute an important commission? How had they even crossed paths? I’d have to ask—if I decided to get involved at all.
    Still, if I was honest with myself, I was excited about the prospect of meeting someone of Peter Ferguson’s reputation, up close and personal. I didn’t hang out with a lot of celebrities, so it would be a new experience. That still didn’t mean I would agree to Maddy’s proposition. I took my work seriously, and I wouldn’t compromise it just for the glamor of the gig. After all, what good was terrific publicity if the product was trash?
    As I approached my shop I could see that the interior lights were off, so Nessa had closed up and gone home, as she’d said she might. That was fine with me: She knew the business as well as I did, and there was no point wasting time on a slow day. Besides, I was itching to go home and call Cam to fill him in on my prospective brush with computer stardom.
    I climbed the exterior staircase to my apartment above the shop. I had purchased the building more than ten years earlier, before the Tucson arts scene had taken off. It had been a risky investment at the time, but now I could pat myself on the back for a brilliant business decision. Right. At the time I had been scared to death, and the decrepit building was the only place I could afford that had both viable work and sales space as well as living space. I had done most of the rehab of the former factory by myself, and I was happy with the results.
    As I unlocked my door, my doggie welcoming committee surged forward to greet me: Fred, who took his role as alpha male seriously, and Gloria, who was willing to wait for her share of affection while Fred ran in circles around my ankles. He tried to boss her, she mothered him, and I adored them both.
    “Hey, guys, you ready for a walk?” Tails wagged in unison. I grabbed two leads, picked them up, and headed back downstairs. We spent a productive fifteen minutes investigating all the new smells around the trash cans in the alley behind the shop. I dutifully picked up the doggie by-products in plastic bags, deposited them in the trash, and then hoisted the pups one under each arm and carried them up the stairs.
    “Food time.” More excited dashing in circles. I scooped out some wet food and laid it down. Finally, duty done, I went to the phone to call my brother.
    My brother is the dearest person in the world to me. Our parents are both dead, but they had never been warm and fuzzy types, and as a result Cam and I had formed a tight bond. Eight years younger than I, Cam had been a quiet, studious boy, and had suffered the usual slights that nerds seem to attract. I had done all that I could to encourage him in his academic interests, and when, like so many of his species, he had discovered the wonderful world of computers, I had heaved a sigh of relief. He had been moderately successful with the environmental analyses that his California company was renowned for; and he was still unattached, even though he was a sweet and considerate man. At least, I thought so, but I have to admit I’m slightly biased. I had just begun to worry about him when he fell head over heels for Allison McBride on short acquaintance. I had no problem with that, since I admired Allison and