"Not funny, you're reckless," Ray said.

She rested her hand on Kagan's shoulder. "Jerry, I wanted you to know. I didn't want you blindsided later by the deal. Chip is okay. Notice I call him Chip now. Did you know some bastard shot his dad at a Stop-n'-Rob? He was police chief, wasn't even on duty, just going out for ice cream."

"I know," Kagan said, "and Chip's always been straight with me. He isn't too popular around the station because he moved up to Detective so fast."

"True, he needs to do a super job on this homicide. The worst thing that could happen to him in his career right now is to screw this up. Was he ever married?"

"Not as far as I know," Kagan answered. "He's not a wallflower. He was serious about a woman, the County Appraiser's daughter, for a while. That was a few years back. An attorney at the courthouse told me his legal secretary now has something going with him."

"Something going," she repeated under her breath.

"What's the detective's love life have to do with anything?" Ray wondered aloud."

"I promise I'll be careful about what I let him know. At least up until the point where I get something going with him. Did I tell you he has perfect eyes?"

"It's in my notes somewhere," Ray laughed and relaxed back in his chair; he just realized his invaluable sister might be interested in sticking around for a few more days.