A Vintage Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

there a problem? You were acting kind of weird when you both got back.”
    Derek scratched the side of his neck and then tugged at his earlobe. Nikki had been around him enough that she knew this was something he did when he felt uncomfortable. “No. Not really. The contracts all look good. There are a few more items we need to sew up, but everything is fine. I don’t think I was acting weird. I was excited about meeting Andy Burrow.”
    “You are not telling me the truth. Everything is not fine, is it?”
    The waiter showed up with the wine and Derek did the taste test and gave approval. Nikki shifted in her seat impatiently. “What gives? I am your manager and assistant; shouldn’t I be aware if there’s a problem?”
    He sighed. “Right now we are not going to talk business.” He took her hand. “Right now, you are my woman.”
    “Oh yeah. I was meaning to ask you about that. Since we do work together and . . . well, you are my boss, how will this all work? Will there be a posted schedule that states when we can be a couple and when we are all business?”
    He laughed. “I know you’re not serious. Look, we’re both professionals. I think we know when it’s appropriate to act as a couple and when we have to be all about the business.”
    “You’re right—and speaking of, I know you were just trying to divert me. So what’s the deal with Liam Hahndorf? What’s the problem?”
    He sighed. “Damn, you are like a pit bull. Okay. There is a problem, but one we can work out, and honestly, I promised Liam that I would not discuss what he and I talked about with anyone.”
    She set her wine down and crossed her arms.
    “Don’t look at me like that.”
    “I’m not just anyone,” Nikki replied.
    “No. You aren’t, but I’m not one to break promises. And I gave Liam my word. When I can discuss it with you, I will. Can we leave it at that and enjoy our lunch?”
    “Fine.”
    “Good. What did you think of Lucy Swanson’s outburst?” he asked.
    She went with the change of subject. Nikki could respect that Derek had made a promise to Liam and intended to keep it, but being the nosy bug she was, she didn’t swallow it easily. “She’s something else. I was impressed with Shawn Keefer, though. He handled it well. I don’t know—if someone was screaming at me like that . . .”
    “And saying the things she said,” Derek added. “As a man, I really would have come unglued, especially in front of all those people.”
    “Understandably.” Nikki shook her head. “I don’t know, but I have a funny feeling in my stomach about all of it. Hollywood here in the Barossa Valley and then that Lucy giving such hell to everyone.”
    He laughed. “You and your funny feelings.” He glanced at her. “ I have a funny feeling that there is something more behind that statement than you thinking Hollywood should have stayed in Los Angeles. What’s up?”
    “Oh I don’t know. I was kind of thinking about Grace Hahndorf’s reaction to the movie being made there. At first when we were talking about it she seemed kind of excited about the movie and the big-time actors, but her demeanor changed as soon as Liam told us that he was the one who’d written the screenplay.”
    “I didn’t get that from her.”
    “I did.”
    “She could be the kind of woman who feels like that’s bragging, and inappropriate.”
    “It’s her husband.”
    “I think you’re reading way too much into it,” Derek said.
    “Maybe,” Nikki replied, but she was not convinced.
    They talked a bit more about the goings-on at the Hahndorfs’ and what the barbecue might be like that evening. They also discussed the snake incident with Andy. For Derek, it had been exhilarating.
    As lunch wound down, they both found themselves relaxed from the wine, and since they weren’t far from the hotel they left the car parked where it was and walked back hand in hand.
    Getting into the elevator, Derek turned to her. “You know, we do have a few