Dead in the Water (Kate Ryan Mysteries Book 10) Read Online Free PDF Page B

with those dark blue eyes and coal black hair. You just want to run your fingers through it,” Hannah said, wriggling her fingers.
    “And I do, believe me.” Matt looked at me. “What’s the matter?”
    “Phil Bledsoe?”
    “Oh,” Matt said. “Well, after my beloved got out of the navy, he worked with Phil for a few years. They both have that annoying thing in common.”
    “What’s that?” Hannah asked.
    “Brainiac intelligence. It worries me one day their heads might explode.” Matt sighed dramatically.
    “Yes, such a mess to clean up,” Hannah said sadly.
    “Chad was the same way. That’s why they started that company together.”
    “How well did you know Chad?”
    “Not too well. You know they’re just business partners, right? Chad was not gay. So we’d see him on occasion, but not really socially. But what I knew of him, he seemed like a nice fellow. A little eccentric, even more so than Phil.” Matt laughed as if he were remembering something.
    Hannah laughed along. “Why am I laughing?”
    “Oh, I was just thinking how Jerry used to call Chad a young Lex Luthor. He was always trying to invent some new gadget with an odd twist to it.”
    “Really? Like what?” I was trying to piece together what Chad might have been doing with our mystery man.
    “I have no idea. When they’d all start with the science stuff, it was like they were talking in another language. I’m more of a people person,” he announced with a wide grin.
    “And you do it so well,” Hannah offered, patting his arm.
    “Thank you, darling. And your glass is empty.”
    “Drat…” Hannah said, staring at her glass. “I do hate when that happens.”
    Matt laughed along with her as he gathered both glasses. “I’ll be back.”
    “With menus?” I called to him.
    “Absolutely not. How gauche,” he said. “I will prepare you a midday extravaganza.”
    “Wonderful!” Hannah sighed absently. “I love an extravaganza.” She turned back to me. “Well, I do.”
    “Yes, I know. We spend a lot of time eating and drinking.”
    “I know. Isn’t it wonderful? I mean, truly, Kate. Other than love, what’s more satisfying than breaking bread with the ones you love? I tell you, if more world leaders talked around a kitchen table with a good cabernet and plate of pasta, we’d have fewer wars and more peace.”
    “I suppose,” I said, not really listening.
    “So what’s on your mind?” Hannah asked. “I can tell you’re thinking of something.”
    “It’s just nagging me. This whole robbery business.”
    “Why?”
    “Because something tells me it wasn’t a robbery. Mainly because nothing was taken.” I laughed while scratching my head. “How’s that for great deductive reasoning?”
    Hannah laughed along. “I’ve always said I love the way you think. But I think you’re right. It is a curious thing.”
    “And will probably get curiouser and curiouser.”
    “I believe you’re right, Alice.”
    Matt replenished our drinks and sat down. “I have an idea.”
    “Oh, no…” I groaned, but Hannah laughed.
    “What is it?” She took a drink. “Ooh, this is good.”
    “Have you thought about when and where you’ll ask Maggie?” he asked.
    “No.” There went my stomach again.
    “What have you accomplished?” Matt cocked his head, looking very curious.
    “I’ve done plenty so far.” I hated when I was sucked into bantering with Matt.
    “Like?” he asked.
    “Matt,” Hannah said, patting his arm. “It’s more than enough that she’s decided to ask Margaret. We don’t want her to implode before she asks her.”
    “You two are hysterical. Now why are you asking about the when and the where?” I was so afraid of his answer.
    “Well… Now keep an open mind,” he started.
    “Oy.” I hung my head while Hannah continued to laugh.
    “How about a nice romantic cruise on Lake Superior?” he said.
    I could feel him watching me intently. I lifted my head. “A cruise…What?”
    “Imagine,” he