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“Yes, one must never forget Harley. He was destined to be a rescue dog, but he had problems. He’s very brave and loving…just unusual.” She rang the bell and the barking started. “So is Olivia. Don’t make the same mistake about her as you did Lynch. I’ve already told you what a fantastic person she is on several levels. You should know that Olivia may be blind, but no one can see deeper than she does.”
“I won’t forget.”
The door flew open, and Harley launched himself at Tricia. Kendra thought he was going to knock her down, but Tricia braced herself and her arms went around the dog. “It’s all right, Kendra. He won’t take me down. I’m very strong.” She looked down at Harley and cradled his head in her hands. “I’m very good with dogs. I used to train them every summer at my uncle’s kennels outside Seattle.” She looked deep in Harley’s eyes. “You’re a good boy, but that wasn’t good. We’ll have to have a talk about what’s acceptable.” She gave him a hug. “But not now.” She looked at Olivia. “Hi, I’m Tricia. You’re really gorgeous, aren’t you? I bet everyone says that to you because you’re blind. Does it annoy you? I bet it does. Particularly since Kendra told me that you have so much more on the ball than what’s on the surface. Though it’s probably because they feel awkward when they want to say something to make you think just because you have one handicap that being beautiful should make up for it. They should realize that someone as sharp as you wouldn’t need that kind of reassurance. That’s kind of dumb, isn’t it?”
“Exceptionally,” Olivia said. “But no dumber than you thinking that you can impress me by supposedly understanding me.” She smiled. “Besides, I like the idea of being thought gorgeous. I realize I’m much more than a pretty face, but we’re all the composite of our physical and mental abilities and we should take advantage of every element we’re given. You’re supposed to be a magnificent swimmer, but Kendra says you’re also a cyber whiz kid or you’d never be able to spend all that time practicing in the pool and still get straight A’s in your major. What else are you, Tricia Walton?”
“Well, I’m not gorgeous.” Tricia chuckled. “But I guess I’m okay, and I usually get along with people…until today. I got temperamental with Lynch because I didn’t know what I was dealing with. Then I overcompensated with you because I wanted to prove to Kendra that I wasn’t a total loser. She saved my neck and I owe her. But I shouldn’t have tried to pay a debt to her by involving you.” She sighed. “So now I have to find a way to make it up to you. How can I do that? Kendra says you’re a super businesswoman. Have any use for a cyber whiz kid? I’m at your service while I’m here.”
“I’ll consider it.” Olivia was smiling. “What do you think, Kendra?”
“Up to you,” Kendra said. “You might as well take advantage of her. There may be periods when Lynch and I may have to leave the two of you with Griffin’s agents. Since she’s a workaholic, she’ll be bored to death if we can’t keep her busy.”
“Oh, I can keep her busy,” Olivia said. “I don’t have any use for a world-class swimmer, but I can use someone to reorganize my computer files and protect me from cyberattacks.” She added, “And she said she was good with dog training when she was being assaulted by Harley. I can’t decide if that will be first or second on her schedule.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Tricia said breezily. “I’m very good with organizing my time and you won’t be disappointed.” She wrinkled her nose. “More than you were when I made my grand entrance just now. I’ll even make you forget that gigantic faux pas when you see how valuable I’ll be to you.”
“We’ll see. I can be very demanding.” Olivia turned and headed for the kitchen. “Do you cook?”
Tricia shook her head. “I’m terrible. But I could learn.”
“Don’t you dare. No one cooks in my kitchen but me. But you and Kendra can come and watch a true chef at work. I’ll let you entertain me by describing what happened when you got temperamental with Lynch. I would have liked to have been there.”
“Whatever you say,” Tricia said as she followed her. “Unless you’d rather I work with Harley.”
“You’re overdoing the humility,” Olivia said. “Watch it, Tricia.”
Tricia laughed. “I’ll strike a balance, I always do. And I usually come out on top.”
“I imagine you do.” Olivia was laughing, too. “But then so do I. This may be interesting…”
***
After dinner Tricia had a training session with Harley, examined Olivia’s computer setup, and then curled up on the couch with Harley and promptly drifted off to sleep.
Kendra got both Olivia and herself a glass of wine and then settled on the chaise on the veranda. “What do you think of her?” she asked. “Too much trouble?”
“Fragile. Very fragile. I have a hunch it’s always there beneath the brashness.” She took a sip of wine. “And the strength. She might be trouble. But I can’t help but root for her.”
“Who wouldn’t?” Kendra asked. “She’s fought off two attempts to murder her since she was fourteen. It’s incredible that it didn’t destroy her, but she just kept fighting and showing everyone that they couldn’t hurt her. But she’s my problem, not yours, Olivia. Anytime she’s with you I’ve arranged for you to have mega protection, yet the threat is still there. I know you asked me to let you help if I went after the person who killed those agents. But I’ve no right to involve you at all.”
“It’s been my problem, too, ever since the night you came back after visiting Metcalf in the hospital. You were hurting, and you made me hurt. That kind of crap shouldn’t be permitted to exist. You bet I’ll take my turn watching that kid. Now stop arguing. We’ll use my condo as home base, and you’ll all come here to dinner every night and we’ll discuss problems.” She finished her glass of wine. “Take her up to your condo and put her to bed. She’ll probably have a twelve-hour day tomorrow if Lynch has done his job right.”
“Are you sure?”
“I couldn’t be more certain.” She lifted her empty glass in a mock toast. “Hey, my dog has a crush on her. What else can I do?”
“Say no. I promise you’ll be safe, but I’ll understand if you—”
“Hush.” Olivia got to her feet. “I’ll see you both tomorrow. Tricia said she wanted to double down on Harley’s training after dinner tomorrow.” She moved inside. “But you’d better call Lynch tonight and explain that Tricia isn’t as naive as she might have seemed. He doesn’t suffer fools gladly.”
She shook her head. “I’ll have her call him and apologize. It’s between the two of them.”
“Even though you acted as peacekeeper. Which one were you protecting?”
She shrugged. “Maybe both.”
“Works for me.” Harley had lifted a drowsy head from Tricia’s arm as he heard Olivia’s voice and she snapped her fingers. “Come on, Harley. You’re stuck with me. Your new friend has to go home with Kendra…”
