Well.

" She sighed, looking out the window one last time. " I'm beginning to

lose hope that the men putting in that fence are ever going to take their shirts off.

And if I don't miss my guess, that's Andre's car coming up the drive.

I guess I might as well go home and do something productive.

" " Talking to me isn't productive?

" Raine teased as she walked her friend to the door. " Oh, very,"

Sarah a.s.sured her. " But, unfortunately, it isn't getting my latest sculpture done, so I'm going to take a lesson from you and get down to some serious work.

" " I'll call you," Raine promised. " Hi, Andre.

" Sarah greeted the man poised on the porch as she swept by him. "

Bye, Andre.

" Andre barely batted an eyelash at Sarah's whirlwind departure. " I'm afraid I received some rather distressing news today, Raine," hebegan without preamble. Immediately a knot formed in the pit of herstomach. It was obvious that something had unsettled him. His usual urbane 210 Guarding Raine manner seemed almost fl.u.s.tered, and Rainecouldn't remember ever seeing him in such a state. " What.

what it is it?

" Dread laced her words. " Is it another threat?

" Belatedly Andr~ seemed aware of the effect his greeting had had on

Raine.

" No, nothing like that.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you that way.

Let's go in and sit down.

Together we can get this latest development ironed out.

" Mac appeared in the doorway just as they'd both been seated. " Your

mother's on the line, Raine.

Do you want to call her back or take it now?

" She bit her lip, torn, then shook her head. " I'll have to call her

back.

" But Andr~ disagreed. " No, go ahead and take the call, Raine.

seem to have upset you, and that was the last thing I He flicked his

fingers dismissively.

"As I said, we have something i~ to discuss, but you and I will get it taken care of. Get, of the way first."

Raine hesitated, and then said, "All right, I'll just be a And then you

can tell me the whole story."

She brushed by giving him a warning look.

"Be nice,"

she said in He c.o.c.ked an eyebrow at her.

"So, O'Neill,"

Andre said, as soon as Raine was out of shot.

"What a surprise it was to come here today and find men back, working

on yet another job for Raine."

He smile.

"It almost makes one think you keep busy finding new to spend her

money."

Mac leaned against the doorjamb and crossed his arms.

don't think her security is worth spending money on?

" " Oh, of course.

It's also a situation you can milk worth.

A vulnerable woman living alone, one with a rich.

protective father.

" His tone was meaningful. " That a dream come true for a man like

you." " A man like me." Mac's voice was thoughtful. " And of man Would that be, Kla.s.sen?" " A very desperate man, perhaps," he suggested. " It rather odd the way you keep popping up in Raine's life.

something happens to frighten her, coincidentally, you're use 'the newincident to sell yet more security measures." Mac clapped his hands slowly, sardonically. sen,"he said in mock admiration."The best defense is a good offense. ri The man flushed. " It makes as much sense, I would say, as the accusation you leveled at me the last time we met.

" " In your mind, maybe.

'" Mac gave a fetal grin. " I'm a bit harder to convince." Raine came in, interrupting the verbal duel. " I apologize again forthe interruption, Andre.

" The man switched his attention from Mac to her and inquired politely, " How is your mother, Raine?

Her health is stable, I hope?

" She nodded. " She's doing fine.

But I think you better tell me what happened to disturb you so.

" He sighed. " Well, this morning I called the gallery I'd reserved for your ghowing to go over some details and was shocked to learn that they had a break-in last night.

Nothing was taken, but there was quite a bit of broken gla.s.s and paint

thrown all over.

Naturally, with our exhibit coming up so rapidly, I'm concerned about how quickly the owner will be able to rap air the damage.

I've already begun checking with some other galleries in the area.

Of course, at this late date, it would be difficult to reserve another.

Not to mention the problem with the publicity and invitations.

" " You're saying the show may have to be postponed?

" Mac asked; Andre looked horrified. " Certainly not!

There is entirely too much riding on this particular exhibit for us to postpone it.

I'm afraid our only hope lies in the owner making the gallery

presentable by the time we need it.

You can be sure that I'll be in constant contact with him in the time remaining.

" Raine was certain that he would. If nothing else, the owner of thegallery would make sure it was ready just to get Andr~ off his back. " I'm still worried about security measures at that gallery, however,"Andre fretted. " After all, what would have stopped those vandals frombreaking in and doing all sorts of damage to any works inside?

Or stealing them completely?

I just wish there was time to find another reputable gallery.

" " Did you talk to the owner about security measures?

" Mac asked. " He a.s.sured me, of course, that they had adequate