Strictly Confidential. Terri Reed

hollow, just like other threats she’d received before from those whom she’d upset with her candid and factual stories.

      Concerned that Neil would end up doing something stupid like driving while intoxicated, Colleen took a step forward to follow him, but Alessandro’s hand cupping her elbow stopped her.

      “No, bella . You must let him deal with his mistakes on his own.”

      “But he shouldn’t be allowed to wander the streets in his condition.” She stared up into Alessandro’s handsome face.

      “You have such a generous heart.” He released her elbow and stepped away. “Your family,” he said before melting into the crowd.

      Colleen took a steadying breath as her family gathered around her, making sure she was all right. After assuring everyone she was okay and that they should resume their evening, she looked around for Alessandro.

      She caught a glimpse of him as he disappeared down the corridor that led to the curator’s office. And the curator was nowhere in sight. Just what was the relationship between Alessandro and Dahlia Sainsbury?

      But more importantly, what was this funny ache in the middle of Colleen’s chest? It couldn’t be jealousy, could it? Absurd.

      Colleen walked over to her editor, Al Crane, who was talking to Dr. Robert Fletcher and his wife, Pamela. “Good evening, Doctor Fletcher, Mrs. Fletcher.”

      “How are you feeling, Colleen?” asked Dr. Fletcher. He was a tall man and still athletic in build, though his light-brown hair was thinning out. Humor always sparkled in his blue eyes.

      “Good, thank you.”

      When Colleen had been injured during the hospital explosion a few months ago, Dr. Fletcher had been her doctor. “Do you mind if I borrow Al for a moment?”

      Colleen pulled Al aside. “There’s a story in Alessandro Donato.”

      “What kind of story?” Al asked around the unlit cigar hanging perpetually from between his lips.

      At five feet eight inches, Al was paunchy and crabby and tough. Colleen liked him because he didn’t give an inch and always demanded the best.

      She shook her head. “Not sure yet. But there’s something there.”

      Al narrowed his brown eyes. “Seems to me you two were getting pretty chummy before ol’ Neil came blasting in.”

      “I was questioning him. Trying to get some background information. He was not forthcoming,” Colleen replied, thinking of his words about God and justice. Not the information she’d been after, but interesting just the same. What had hardened his heart toward God?

      She wouldn’t admit to her editor the emotional roller-coaster ride she’d just been on, courtesy of Alessandro Donato. Alessandro had evoked curiosity, excitement, longing and an odd sense of rightness in her when they were together. Strange how someone she barely knew could do that to her.

      “It seems to me Neil might be a better option. Your articles on the recent fires have him hiding. Far as I know, this is the first time he’s emerged since the bombing at the hospital. I don’t like the way he threatened you.”

      Colleen scoffed. “Empty words. I’m not putting Neil on the back burner, believe me. But I want to see what I can find out about Donato. There’s something he’s hiding.”

      Crane’s bushy eyebrows rose. “You think he has anything to do with the recent drug activity going on?”

      She shrugged. “Don’t know.”

      She couldn’t picture Alessandro participating in drug trafficking. The drug trade seemed too smarmy for such a sophisticated man, but then stranger things had happened. And not all criminals looked the part. Nor did all superheroes.

      Crane snagged a crab puff from a passing waitress and popped it into his mouth. He chewed for a moment then said, “You get the scoop on Donato and the growing drug business in town and I’ll give you a raise.”

      Excitement jittered through her veins and she grinned.

      “I’ll hold you to that, Crane.”

      He grunted and moved away to catch up with the young woman carrying the tray of appetizers. She watched him stuff two into his mouth and swipe two more. How he could eat around that disgusting cigar she didn’t know.

      Her mind focused on the budding story in her head. She could see the headlines in her mind. Mystery Man Revealed. Drug Trade Unraveled.

      A flash of pale pink caught her gaze. Dahlia was returning from her offices, carrying a glass of punch. Alessandro wasn’t with her. This would be a good opportunity to ask Dahlia about the elusive Signor Donato.

      Colleen started forward and realized Dahlia was making a beeline straight to her. They met in the middle of the room.

      “Miss Sainsbury, this is a lovely event,” Colleen said by way of easing into a conversation.

      “Thank you, dear. Punch?” She handed the crimson liquid to Colleen.

      “Uh, sure.” Colleen accepted the cool glass. “You’ve certainly worked wonders in the short time you’ve been here. How long has it been now?”

      Dahlia waved a hand. “One loses track of time when putting together a new project.”

      “Where were you before coming here?”

      Dahlia’s expression tightened slightly. “Europe.”

      “Ah, so is that where you met Alessandro Donato?”

      “How do you like your punch?” Dahlia asked, completely ignoring the question.

      “I haven’t tried it yet.” It looked syrupy sweet.

      “Please do. I just made a new batch and would like your opinion,” Dahlia purred.

      “You made this? I thought that was what the caterers were for.”

      Dahlia’s lips thinned. “I keep tight control over everything. That’s what makes me successful. Drink. Please.”

      Colleen lifted the glass to her lips. The sugary scent wafting up made her nose twitch. She grimaced as she opened her mouth to take a sip.

      “There you are,” a familiar masculine voice said from Colleen’s right just as a hard body slammed into her shoulder, knocking the glass from her hand and sending it to the floor with a sickening crash.

      Dahlia screeched as she jerked back, avoiding the mess. Colleen jumped away, managing to only get a few sticky drops on her shins and the tops of her black shoes.

      Glaring at Mr. Tall, Dark and Suave next to her, she said, “What are you doing?”

      Alessandro gave her a charming smile. “ Mi scusi ! I must have tripped.”

      Colleen narrowed her eyes. “Yeah, right.”

      He was too graceful and too self-controlled for her to believe that nonsense. He’d done that on purpose. But why?

      The sharp edge to Dahlia’s tone when she instructed the wait staff to clean up the mess clearly conveyed her irritation.

      “Miss Sainsbury, I may have a potential buyer for one of the paintings. Could we discuss it?” Alessandro asked.

      One side of Dahlia’s red lips curled. Her eyes were cold as she gave Colleen a final glance before taking his offered arm. “Indeed.”

      They walked away leaving Colleen to stare after them. So much for questioning Dahlia or Alessandro any further. Anger boiled in her blood.

      To be made a spectacle of and then to be so easily abandoned did not sit well. Oh, yes. She was definitely going to uncover that man’s secrets, even if it was the last thing she ever did.

       THREE