Night Smoke by Nora Roberts

hoping you’d say that.”
    She drove well. That was no surprise. From what Ry had observed, Natalie Fletcher did everything with seamless competence. The fact that she could be shaken, the fact that the right word, the right look, at the right time, could bring a faint bloom to her cheeks, made her human. And outrageously appealing.
    “Have you always lived in Urbana?” As she asked, she automatically turned down the radio.
    “Yeah. I like it.”
    “So do I.” She liked the movement of the city, the noise, the crowds. “We’ve had holdings here for years, of course, but I never lived in Urbana.”
    “Where?”
    “Colorado Springs, mostly. That’s where we’re based, home and business. I like the East.” The streets were dark now, and the wind was whipping through the canyons formed by the spearing buildings. “I like eastern cities, the way people live on top of each other and rush to get everywhere.”
    “No western comments about overcrowding and crime rates?”
    “Fletcher Industries was founded on real estate, remember? The more people, the more housing required. And, as to crime …” She shrugged. “We have a hardworking police force. And Nemesis.”
    “You’re interested in him.”
    “Who wouldn’t be? Of course, as the sister of a police captain, I should add that I don’t approve of private citizens doing police work.”
    “Why not? He seems to get the job done. I wouldn’t mind having him on my side.” He frowned as she stopped at a light. The streets were nearly empty here, with dark pockets and narrow alleys. “Do youdo many runs like this alone?”
    “When necessary.”
    “Why don’t you have a driver?”
    “Because I like to drive myself.” She shot him a look just as the light turned green. “You’re
not
going to be typical and give me a lecture about the dangers facing a woman alone in the city… .”
    “It’s not all museums and French restaurants.”
    “Ry, I’m a big girl. I’ve spent time alone in Paris, Bangkok, London and Bonn, among other cities. I think I can handle Urbana.”
    “The cops, and your pal Nemesis, can’t be everywhere,” he pointed out.
    “Any woman who has a big brother knows just how to drop a man to his knees,” she said blithely. “And I’ve taken a self-defense course.”
    “That should make every mugger in the city tremble.”
    Ignoring the sarcasm, she pulled up to the curb and turned off the engine. “This is it.”
    The quick surge of pride rose the moment she was out of the car and facing the building. Her building. “So, what do you think?”
    It was sleek and feminine, like its owner. All marble and glass, and its wide display window was scrolled with the Lady’s Choice logo in gold leaf. The entrance door was beveled glass etched with rosettes that glinted in the backwash from the streetlights.
    Pretty, he thought. Impractical. Expensive.
    “Nice look.”
    “As our flagship store, I wanted it to be impressive, classic, and …” She ran her fingertip over the etching. “Subtly erotic.”
    She dealt with the locks. Sturdy, Ry noted with some approval. Solid. Just inside the door, she paused to enter her code on the computerized security system. Natalie turned on the lights, relocked the front door.
    “Perfect.” She nodded with approval at the mauve carpet. The walls were teal, freshly painted. A curvy love seat and gleaming tea table were set in a corner to invite customers to relax and decide over merchandise.
    Racks were recessed. Natalie could already envision them full, dripping with silks and laces in pastels, bold, vibrant colors and creamy whites.
    “Most of the stock hasn’t been put out yet. My manager and her staff will see to that this week. And the window treatment. We have the most incredible brocade peignoir. That’ll be the focus.”
    Ry moved over to a faceless mannequin, fingered the lace at the leg of a jade teddy. The same color as Natalie’s eyes, he thought. “So, what do you charge for