Taking Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

did not let her down. Berry notes with a hint of pepper. "Nice."
    The waiter reappeared with plates of salad, then disappeared again. Arugula, pine nuts and olives had been dressed with a raspberry vinaigrette.
    "He's unobtrusive," she said.
    "I paid extra for that."
    Donna had to laugh. She was having such a good time. Twilight had begun since they'd been in the gardens. She looked up and in a few minutes what few stars could be seen from New York would show themselves.
    "I bet this would be an even better view in the country," she said.
    "I think the view is just wonderful."
    She looked back at him to find him staring at her. A smile curled her lips. She couldn't have stopped it if you'd threatened her. No man had ever wooed her like this.
    "So are you really this amazing."
    He straightened in his chair. "I'd like to think so."
    She laughed again. "A girl could get used to this."
    "I'd like this girl to get used to it. That way you'll never want to leave me."
    She studied him as she thought about how fast this relationship was moving. By now, on the third date, she'd normally be putting on the brakes. But this felt right and good.
    Her gut was telling her to go for it.
    She leaned in to kiss him. Again. She couldn't seem to stop.
    ***
    Monday morning found Donna at her desk, thinking about Jon instead of her work and instead of what she was going to steal next.
    She shook herself. With Christmas a month away, she wanted to be able to give to a charity with what she stole. It was her Christmas tradition. So she had to think about it or the time would get away from her.
    Kelly walked in with an armload of files.
    "What are those?"
    "I'm j ust cleaning off my desk. I need to file these in your file cabinet."
    Donna waved a hand at the cabinet behind her. "Go ahead. I'm not getting much done anyway."
    She moved her chair aside so Kelly could do her work. As she waited, she remembered a diamond bracelet a customer of Jon's had worn. He'd invited her to an opening of a more established artist. Lots of moneyed customers showed up.
    She'd struck up a conversation with the owner of the bracelet. In fact, they'd been invited to the owner's house. Donna had itched to steal the bracelet then, but knew it was too obvious. Had the dinner been a party instead of two couples getting together, she would have done it.
    But, she did get the layout of the house and where the jewelry box sat on the dresser. On top of that Jon had invited that couple to another opening at his gallery so they would not be at home tonight.
    Having already told Jon she'd be late to the event, she had a perfect situation to steal the bracelet.
    "Penny for your thoughts," Kelly said.
    Donna smiled. "I'm just thinking about Jon of course. I've never dated anyone so sophisticated and moneyed, but down to earth."
    "Down to earth is good. Is this serious?"
    "It might be. Jon wants to talk to me about something tonight."
    "The question?"
    Donna shook her head, shifting in her chair. "I don't think so."
    "Living together?"
    "That seems more like it," Donna said.
    "Are you ready?"
    "I don't know. I figure I'll know the answer when the question gets asked."
    "Going with your gut. Always a good idea."
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 4
     
    Donna's step could not be lighter as she entered Jon's gallery. Before she left for work, her boss had told her she was getting a promotion. That came with a substantial raise. She'd be moving the tax department.
    On top of that, w hen she went to steal the diamond bracelet, she netted a pearl necklace that she hoped was real.
    A good crowd had turned out for Jon's latest show. The artist was a little too modern and abstract for Donna, but she couldn't like everything Jon showed.
    She searched the room for her lover. The jewelry burned a hole in her pocket as she didn't have enough time to drop them at home before she had to be at the gallery. A warm hand on her shoulder startled her.
    Turning, she found a smiling