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Seventeen
Aria spentthe morning reviewing some of the data she and Nora had compiled on Malcolm while Nora touched base with her contacts at the Bureau. They didn’t know Malcolm’s exact location, but Aria had gotten word from a former associate of Primo’s that Malcolm had been in an underground gambling club three days earlier, and the FBI had spotted him talking to a surveillance subject a week ago outside a deli inQueens.
It wasn’t irrefutable proof he was still in New York, but it wassomething.
She tried not to think about Damian. Tried not to think about what might be happening at the strip club in Athens while she was puttering around the house onKythnos.
She told herself it was good practice, that she wouldn’t always be with Damian when he was in danger. After their child was born, she would rarely be with him when he was indanger.
She’d be lucky if he let her go to the grocery store withoutsecurity.
It was close to noon when Nora found her on the patio, staring blankly at thecomputer.
“How’s it going?” she askedAria.
“Nothing new,” Aria said. “You?”
“Maybe.”
Aria had gotten used to Nora’s cryptic replies. It was probably part of her FBI training — Evasive Response101.
Nora looked a little more closely at her. “I think it’s time for some sun,” she said. “What do yousay?”
“Beach or pool?” Ariaasked.
Nora scoffed. “Do you have toask?”
Aria laughed. She’d learned that Nora was originally from Boston, but she’d become a California girl through andthrough.
“I’ll pack some food,” Ariasaid.
Nora grinned. “I’ll get thewine.”
Aria closed the computer and stood to stretch before heading for the kitchen amid a silent prayer of gratitude for NoraMurphy.
Aria had no doubt Nora would have been happy to stay at the house, working her contacts at the Bureau and reviewing the intel they’d already gone over more thanonce.
She’d suggested the beach for Aria’s sake, to get Aria’s mind off the operation now under way in Athens, and she’d done it without making Aria feel like a neurotic 50shousewife.
Aria hoped she would someday be as competent andstrong.
She rummaged through the fridge and cupboard for snacks, throwing goat cheese, crackers, olives, and a few dates into a picnic basket. If all went well, she would be on her way back to New York soon. She might as well enjoy the fresh, local food while shecould.
Nora returned to the kitchen wearing a black bikini and carrying a bottle of wine. She held it out toAria.
“How’sthis?”
Aria looked at the label absently. “I probably won’t have any, but it looksgood.”
Nora’s gaze was shrewd. “How faralong?”
Aria wrapped the wine in a cloth napkin and nestled it in the basket with shaking hands. “Almost three months.” She met Nora’s gaze. “Is it thatobvious?”
Nora laughed. “Not to the guys, if that’s what you’re worriedabout.”
Aria breathed a sigh ofrelief.
“I take it Damian doesn’t know?” Noraasked.
