Jeopardy Read Free Page B

Couldn’t stand his nagging anymore. He’s got a thing about regular meals. My own children couldn’t care less what I eat. Fat chance they’re going to get my money. They make pompous asses a fun crowd to hang around with.”
    Angelica absorbed this. “Uh, does Amarillo lives here?”
    “His place is in the back of the building.” The woman pointed toward the water. “My studio is here in front, facing town. But I don’t care what’s outside my window as long as I’ve got the space I need on the inside.”
    Angelica thought of the huge shapes she had seen through the window. “Why is that?”
    “I work here.” She put down her bag and held out her hand. “I’m Metta.”
    Angelica took her hand as the name tripped something in her mind, but she couldn’t grasp what it was. Her memory was really slipping lately, she reflected ruefully. She hadn’t been able to recall last night’s dream either, but then, she reassured herself, most people didn’t remember their dreams. “I’m Angelica DiFrenza.”
    The woman’s face magically cleared. "You’re Nico’s sister! Well, what do you know. And you're every bit as pretty as he said.”
    “Thank you. You’ve very kind.”
    Metta’s laugh sounded like a bark. “That’s certainly a new and novel opinion. Feel free to come around more.”
    “She doesn’t give an invitation like that often,” Amarillo said to Angelica, coming up behind her. “In fact, almost never.”
    Angelica turned. In the strange yellow light, his face seemed all angles and shadows, and his golden eyes appeared to glow.
    “I was wondering what was keeping you,” he said softly, scrutinizing her every bit as closely as she was him.
    She definitely should have changed, she thought. “I wasn’t sure I was at the right place. Metta saw me and—”
    "You don’t have to say any more,” he said dryly. “I get the picture. Once Metta starts talking, it’s hard to get away.”
    Scowling, Metta bent to pick up her groceries, but Amarillo beat her to the package, lifted it, and handed it to her. “I don’t know why I put up with you, Amarillo Smith. You’re lousy as a landlord. You’ve never once asked me for rent.”
    He shrugged. “I keep forgetting.”
    “Well, it’s a damned nuisance. Every month I have to track you down to give you the money.” “I’ve told you not to worry about it. ’’
    Metta sent a glaring look at Angelica. “You can see the problem, can’t you? The boy doesn’t have a bit of business sense. And what’s more, if I didn’t water the flowers, they would die as sure as you’re standing there.”
    “Who planted them?” Amarillo asked, countering her.
    “So what if I did plant them? You look at them, don’t you?”
    As far as Angelica could tell, Amarillo was totally unfazed by Metta’s fussing. In fact, both he and his tenant seemed to be enjoying themselves . . . immensely.
    “Ummph. I’ve wasted enough time talking to you. I’ve got work to do." She inserted the key in her door, then paused to look over her shoulder. "By the way. Rill. I think you’ve finally got yourself a winner.”
    “She's Nico’s sister.” “So?”
    “It was nice meeting you, Metta,” Angelica said to fill the silence that ensued, but Metta had already gone Into her studio and shut the door firmly behind her.
    “Interesting lady.” she murmured.
    “She’s a complete eccentric and a great friend.” He took her arm and guided her away from the warehouse. “She’s also the finest metal sculptor in the New England area.”
    “Really? There was something about her name that sounded familiar to me, but—”
    “Metta is short for Mehetabel.”
    “That was Mehetabel ? Everyone’s heard of her work. I’m sorry to say, though, I don’t think I’ve ever seen any other than in art publications.”
    “I have several pieces by her,” he said, “but I’m displaying only one at the moment.”
    “I’d like to see it.”
    He hesitated, and she sensed that he