“I know you too well. You wouldn’t have left me last night the way you did unless something had—”
She broke off as the door-bell sounded briefly.
“I’ll let her in, boss,” Hoppy said cheerfully, and paddled out of the kitchen.
“ ‘Her?’ ” Patricia quoted acidly. “Miss Grady, I presume?”
“A purely professional visit,” he said calmly. “After all, she is engaged to Steve Nelson.”
Pat’s cool red mouth curved cynically.
“A passing fiancé, no doubt.”
Simon’s eyes closed in pain.
“My dear girl,” he protested.
He got to his feet as Hoppy trumpeted from the hallway.