Murderous Twins
Author:© WebNovel
Chapter 1: Chapter 1
1
“What do you think?” Blaine circled the story in the newspaper before handing it to his twin brother.
Lloyd read it, nodding thoughtfully. “Works for me. You picked a woman, so you get to do the deed.” He grinned. “Besides, it’s your turn.”
Blaine leaned back, hands behind his head as he stared off into space. “According to the story, she’s attending the expo at the Convention Center as one of the featured speakers. I can meet her there, I’m sure. I’ll ask her advice on how to start my new—” he made finger quotes, “—business. Play into herego. Then suggest we meet somewhere less crowded to talk, if she’s willing. I’ll offer to buy her dinner in exchange for her expertise.”
“Since it’s you asking, you know she’ll accept.”
“Of course,” Blaine replied with a smug grin. “We’ll have to figure out where that will be, and when.”
Lloyd tapped his fingers together. “The when will be up to her, obviously. She’s a busy woman.” He sneered as he said that. “How about the new restaurant that opened last month in Cherry Creek Mall?”
“That should work,” Blaine agreed after picturing its location. “Meanwhile, you’ll be very visibledoing what, when she and I have left the restaurant and I’ve escorted her to her car in the parking garage?”
“If she parks there,” Lloyd pointed out. “She might take a cab.”
“In which case, I’ll be a gentleman and offer her a ride home. After all, I’ll have parked in the garage, because it’s much more convenient to the mall than trying to find a place on the street.”
Lloyd nodded. “Excellent. I think I’ll—” he stressed the word, “—feel the need for a couple of cocktails at Departure to decompress after dealing with her. I do love the view of the city at night from the rooftop. Don’t you?”
“That’s certainly what I’ll tell anyone who might ask. Make sure you talk to people while you’re there, especially the waiter and bartender.”
Lloyd rolled his eyes. “I have been around the block a couple of times. I know the routine.”
They both laughed.
* * * *
“Ms. Hawthorne?” Blaine’s smile was ingratiating when the woman turned to look at him. “I thought your speech tonight was very inspiring. It gave me food for thought.”
“Thank you,” she replied, seeming somewhat impatient to get away from the people surrounding her who were offering her similar compliments.
She was middle-aged and, to Blaine’s way of thinking, looked every day of her forty-eight years. She had also, according to what he’d found out, gone through a bad divorce only a month ago.
“I was wondering…” He hesitated, took a deep breath as he pushed the dark-rimmed glasses he was wearing back up on his nose, and continued. “I’m planning on opening my own business. I know it’s an imposition, but I would love some input from you about my plans.”
She looked him over, one eyebrow arched, and he was certain she was going to tell him to call her office to make an appointment.
Instead she asked, “What kind of business?”
He handed her the prospectus he had put together with Lloyd’s able assistance.
She scanned it, then said, “You do realize this will be a niche business.”
“Yes, ma’am. However I firmly believe there is a need for it. It’s why I wanted to speak with you. It would mean the world to me to get your input, and I know I should have waited until morning and called toset up an appointment for us to talk, but…” He glanced away as if embarrassed.
“But?”
“But I’m not rich and every cent I have is going into my new company, if I can figure out what I’m doing, and damn that makes me sound like a rank amateur but it’s the truth.”
She finally smiled. “It makes you sound honest. A rarity these days, I’m afraid. Particularly with the younger generation who think they know everything about everything.” She eyed him, and there was atouch of the predator in it—just as he’d hoped. “I might be willing to help you gratis but not at my office. Perhaps over dinner some evening?”
“I’m free tomorrow night, if you are. I’ll pay for dinner, of course.”
“Of course,” she murmured. “Do you have some place in mind?”
He pretended to think momentarily. “Have you been to the new restaurant that opened about a month ago in the Cherry Creek Mall? From what I’ve heard it’s very nice.” And very dark and romantic if we get atable in one of the smaller rooms. Of course he didn’t say that aloud but he hoped she did know where hewas talking about—and had the same thought.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone