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didn’t like his patrician good looks or his East Coast aristocratic manners. It didn’t matter that the manners were phony, they still reminded her of all the golden men who’d never really had time for her. “I don’t have to be polite,” she said sweetly. “I’m the boss.”
    “Actually I meant to talk to you about that.” Sandy dropped down onto her bed, making himself completely at home. “If you’re going with me tonight you’re going to have to do as I say.”
    “I’m going with you,” she said determinedly. “And I haven’t the slightest intention of doing what you tell me.”
    “Then you aren’t going,” he said flatly, stretching out on the bed. “You seem to forget, I’m the one who’s experienced in these matters. I wouldn’t think a librarian would have much experience with ‘B and E.’”
    “I read a lot.” Her voice was ridiculous, defensive, and the man’s eyes crinkled in a wry smile.
    “Reading isn’t good enough. You’re going to have to trust me, trust me enough to know what’s best. When I say duck you’ll have to duck, when I say run, you run. No questions asked, no arguments, no democratic decisions. If you can’t accept that then the deal is off.”
    Jane stood there watching him, chewing her lip in frustration. What he said made absolute sense, but the last thing in the world she wanted to do was give him any sort of power over her. Her self-esteem, her peace of mind were too precarious to entrust to this charming con man.
    On the other hand, if she didn’t do as he said she had no doubt at all he’d walk out and refuse to help her. When it came right down to it he probably did know best about such things, much as it galled her to admit it.
    She was asking him for help, she’d have to learn to accept it. “All right,” she said finally, “we’ll do it your way. This time.”
    He moved swiftly then, coming off the bed in one fluid, graceful movement and reaching her side. She backed away quickly, coming up against the door, and he reached a hand out to steady her, the laughter fading from his eyes. “Don’t be so nervous, Jane,” he said softly. “I’m not going to hurt you.”
    She drew herself upright. “You startled me. And I think it’s understandable that I’d be edgy. I’ve never broken into a building before.”
    He nodded, sober for once. “The first time is always the hardest.”
    She looked at him curiously. “What was your first time like?”
    He shook his head, a smile once more curling the corners of his mobile mouth. “You wouldn’t want to know,” he said softly. “You’ll do as I tell you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Don’t sound so sulky, Jane. I may very well save your life.”
    She had to stop the sudden clenching of her heart. “It’s not going to be that dangerous, is it?” she demanded.
    “I made a few calls. Tremaine favors armed guards and patrol dogs.”
    “What?”
    He shrugged, grinning that disarming grin. “This wouldn’t be any fun if it was too easy. Trust me, Jane. Do as I say and we’ll be just fine.”
    “And if we’re not?” she said, resisting that charm stonily.
    “Then I know a heckuva lawyer.”
    And Jane, remembering the weasely little face in the grainy newspaper photo, snorted derisively before following him out into the brightly lit New Jersey night.
    They drove through the sparse nighttime traffic in the blue MGB. It ran a little rough, and Jane gave it a doubtful look as her companion sped down the wide roads. “Are you sure this is the car to take? I’d think we’d want something reliable for a quick getaway.”
    “This car’s reliable,” he said, clearly stung. “It’s in classic shape—you don’t see many like these nowadays.”
    “Amen,” muttered Jane. “It needs a tune-up.”
    “It had one three days ago.”
    “Doesn’t hold it long, does it?”
    He glared at her. “Suddenly you know about cars, too, Madame X?”
    “I read a lot.”
    He managed to hold the glare for perhaps