Midnight in Ruby Bayou Read Online Free PDF

“You have the wrong number.”
    Quietly she depressed a button and ended the call. Then she took a deep breath to steady herself. She hated the adrenaline and anxiety that flooded her whenever she heard Tony’s voice. Seeing him was even worse. He was a mistake that simply wouldn’t go away.
    He’ll get tired of chasing me, she told herself grimly. We’re not talking the love match of the century. He had a woman on the side while we were engaged. My fault, of course. I wasn’t hot enough in bed.
    The phone rang again. Faith jumped as though she had been pinched.
    Walker reached past her and took the phone. Summer didn’t even stir against his chest. She was used to sleeping in someone’s arms.
    â€œYeah?” Walker said curtly. He didn’t like the pallor of Faith’s face.
    â€œIt’s Mitchell,” Archer’s assistant said. “This Walker?”
    â€œAs ever was,” he drawled. “You working late again?”
    â€œJust waiting for the wife to pick me up. We’re going to the theater. The experimental one, where they’re still learning the English language and expect the audience to fill in the blanks.”
    â€œHer turn to choose, huh?” Walker said, smiling. Mitchell and his wife traded off picking entertainment.
    â€œWhat was your first clue?” the assistant retorted.
    â€œYou need Archer?”
    â€œActually, I was looking for you. Remember that contact in Myanmar? The one you said might have a lead on some good ruby rough?”
    â€œI remember.”
    â€œThere’s a package from him.”
    â€œIs it ticking?” Walker asked dryly.
    â€œSo far so good.”
    â€œI’ll come by and pick it up. Ten minutes.”
    He disconnected and looked at Faith. She met his eyes with a stubborn kind of defiance. “Was that Tony?” Walker asked bluntly.
    â€œIt was a wrong number.”
    Walker grunted, not believing a word of it. “Take your niece. I’ve got to run across to headquarters and get a package.”
    Archer came into the living room just as Summer was handed off. He looked from Walker to Faith. “Trouble?”
    â€œNo,” she said coolly. “Summer’s wet. I’m going to change her.”
    Walker didn’t believe that, either, but he didn’t say anything.
    Archer waited until Faith was out of sight and said softly, “Who called?”
    â€œMitchell was the second call. I’m going to pick up a package of ruby rough from a new contact in Burma. I’m betting the first call was her ever-lovin’ ex.”
    â€œSon of a bitch .”
    â€œOn his best days, maybe,” Walker said. “Otherwise Tony is pure chicken shit.”
    Archer raked long fingers through his short hair.
    â€œShe’s handling it,” Walker said.
    â€œI’d rather do it for her.”
    So would Walker, but as he wasn’t even related, it wasn’t something he was going to say aloud. His attraction to Faith was at best unfortunate. At worst it could be a disaster.
    With a final curse, Archer put Tony out of his mind. “Go to Faith’s shop, check out those Montegeau rubies, and get back to me.”
    Walker’s eyebrows lifted, but all he said was, “When?”
    â€œYesterday. Tomorrow at the latest.”
    â€œWhat about that batch of ruby rough you’re expecting from Africa? Still want me to appraise it for you?”
    â€œDamn.” Archer raked his hand through his hair again. “Do it first thing tomorrow morning. Then get over to Faith’s shop. I want you to stay close to the shop until I arrange for a full-time guard for her.” Frowning, he mentally juggled various Donovan projects and their particular needs. Lately it seemed as though he spent most of his time hiring guards, and he still didn’t have enough people he trusted. Not with his sister. He wouldn’t say the world was going to hell in a