"Profiler for Hire?"
He smiled. "You'd be surprised how many profilers retire to become consultants. You get to pick your cases, choose your hours, and best of all, ignore all the politics because they're no longer your problem. It's a good setup. Of course, there is one problem."
Rainie eyed him warily. "I'll bite. What problem?"
"I'd like to have a partner."
"You came all the way here to tell me that you're offering Glenda a job?"
He rolled his eyes. "No Rainie, I came all the way here to offer you a job. With full benefits I might add."
"What?" Far from being calmed, she became incensed. "Five days, six hours, and thirty-seven minutes later, this is what you're offering me?
A dental plan?"
He finally appeared uneasy. "Well, maybe not dental. The company is a start-up."
Rainie stalked toward him. Her eyes had narrowed into slits. Her finger jabbed the air. "What are you doing, Quincy?"
"Apparently once again dodging your finger."
"You fly across the country, you come to my home, and you offer me employment? Do I look like a woman who needs a boss?"
"Not boss," he said immediately. "Oh no, 1 am not that dumb. I said partner, and I meant partner."
"It's a professional arrangement!
Five days, six hours, and thirty-seven minutes later, I do not want a professional arrangement. I have not flown across the country three times in six weeks looking for a professional arrangement. I did not jump your bones just last week, looking for a professional arrangement. So help me God, Quincy – "
"I love you."
"What?" She drew up short. Her finger froze in midair.
"Rainie, I love you. You don't know how many times I've already said that because it was always after you'd fallen asleep or left the room. I didn't know if you were ready, or maybe I didn't know if I was ready. But I love you, Rainie. And while I need to stay on the East Coast for my daughter, I don't want to drive you to airports anymore."
"Oh."
"Now would be a good time for you to say something more than, oh."
"I get that."
"You're making me nervous."
"I have a mean streak. And you made me wait five days."
"All the casework you can handle," he offered quietly. "Never easy, nothing boring. You know how it is in my world. I've waited so long to be happy, Rainie. I've made so many mistakes. I want to do better this time. And I want to learn to do better with you."
She sighed. She had that tight feeling back in her chest. So that was what this was about. So this is what everything was about.
She leaned forward. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Hey Quince," she murmured. "I love you, too."
LISA GARDNER is the author of
The Other Daughter
and
The Third Victim,
both
New York Times
bestsellers, as well as
The Perfect Husband.
She lives in New England with her husband, Anthony, and her two dogs, where she is at work on her next novel of suspense,
The Survivors Club.
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Document version: 1
Document creation date: 24.10.2008
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