Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Picking up the brandy decanter, he chuckled. "You don't drink and transact, I gather."

She smiled as she reached into the pocket of her jacket. "It's bad for my health." Extracting her cigarettes and matches, she then asked, "mind if I engage in another bad habit?"

"Be my guest." With a snifter of brandy in hand, Parrish walked over to the desk, lifted a crystal ash tray and brought it over to the side table near the divan. His gaze fell to the case at her feet. "I take it you have the goddesses tucked in nice and cozy."

"As cozy as stone can be. May I ask you a question?"

"Certainly."

"Just who are you, Mr. Parrish? Are you a private insurance investigator or a collector of fine art, whether legitimate or not?"