Page 47 of Burning Caine

Lucy claimed second. “So, Sam, am I coming with you, or is this another private appointment?”

Stupid. I should have called him from one of the conference rooms.I anxiously await your arrival. Breathing slowly while my heart came back to normal levels, I shut my laptop. “No, you’re coming with me.”

“Should I get changed?”

“Yeah. He’s making time in his schedule for the Scotts’ Chagall.” I kept my gaze on my gear, as I packed up. Lucy tore out to her car for her backup clothes.

Mike went third, although he wasn’t on the same path as the women. “Oh right, I forgot. The police report came in this morning on the Scott fire.”

Too fast, like Janelle said. “Lucy and I need to run. Summary?”

“No arson, no foul play. Fire and death were accidents.”

“That’s a relief.” And not unexpected.

“The son already sent in an estimate to get the repairs done to the house, and replacing the items they lost, so I sent the check request over to Cliff to authorize. My contact at AmLife told me they’ve already sent her the death and accidental death benefits.”

The heat in my cheeks had receded, so I looked up. “Wow, everyone’s moving at full throttle.”

“We were all ready to go once the police department released their report. How’s your claim looking?”

I shook my head. “Not as good as yours. We’ll hold Ferraro’s to their one-month contract, but it’ll take that long to get it clean enough to make the comparisons.”

“Roger won’t be happy. I guess he was friends with Mr. Scott or something. Word on the street is he wanted the whole thing wrapped up fast.”

“Yeah, I got the message last week. But there’s nothing I can do.”

Hailey chimed in, “Except visit Dr. Ant—”

I held up a hand to stop her, keeping it up as I left.

“Samantha! Lucy!” announced Sofia as we entered. She stood, walked around the desk, and greeted each of us with kisses to each cheek. “You two look beautiful!”

The classical music was playing again. “You won the battle of the bands today?”

“Antonio hates Vivaldi.” She gave a wicked grin and disappeared around the reception wall as we sat.

“I love this place!” Lucy whispered.

His thick footsteps drowned out the click of Sofia’s stilettos from around the corner, and I took a steadying breath.After Saturday, what should I expect? Why had he been there? What was he trying to say in that silence?

Sofia rounded the corner first. “Dr. Ferraro will see you now.”

Navy blue dress pants today. Same style as Friday, plus a loose tie. Only two buttons undone at his neck. Not quite as ravishing as the black suit Saturday night, but close. Really close.

Lucy was out of her seat in a flash, while I stood slowly.

“Dr. Ferraro, Lucy Chapman.” She stepped between us and shot out her hand. “We met last week? I’m Sam’s partner at Foster Mutual. We’re here to pick up the Mason’s Gallery painting.”

“Then you have come to the right place.” He grinned at her and continued to me. I put out a hand to shake, but he pulled it to him, bowed slightly, and kissed it. Instinctively, I pressed my lips together to make sure my lipstick was on correctly. A brief fantasy about grabbing his tie to pull him toward me passed through my brain, but I blinked it away. Shit, I hope he didn’t notice that. Or the stutter in my breath.

“Ciao, bella.” Slow to release my hand, he cocked his head, and my pulse quickened. Wow, things had changed since Friday. “Your eyes, they were more like jade on Friday.”

“Blue shirt.” I held his gaze and, for once, the heat wasn’t filling my cheeks. It was taking up residence much lower.

“Bella means beautiful, doesn’t it?” asked Lucy.

I brushed it off, trying to recover my senses. “It’s slang for a girl.”

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