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was home she did exactly that. Was it only because he was her husband, because she knew him as she knew no other man? He was her only lover; she'd never even been attracted to another man as she had been to Rhy. Old habits? She hoped that was it, and when she realized that she hadn't felt the least flicker of jealousy over Coral Williams she was relieved, because that proved she was over Rhy. All she felt for him was the basic urge between a man and a woman who found each other sexually alluring, nothing more. Certainly she was old enough to control those feelings, as the past seven years had proved to her.

    The phone rang late that afternoon and when she answered it Greg said curtly, "What happened?"

    "Rhy and Coral Williams came into the cafeteria at lunch while Chris and I were there," she explained without hesitation. "I don't think Rhy recognized me, but he kept staring. That's the second time he's stared at me like that, so I thought I'd better clear out." That wasn't exactly the reason, but it was a good excuse and she used it. Why tell Greg that seeing Rhy had upset her?

    "You thought right," Greg said, sighing. "He was in my office not long after Brorn brought your note up. He wanted to meet you, since you're the only reporter he hasn't met personally. Then he asked me to describe you, and he got a funny look on his face when I did."

    "Oh, no," she groaned. "He's latched on to something-he would!" she said in swift disgust. "He's as fast as a snake. Did he ask where I'm from?"

    "Be prepared, doll. He didn't ask that, but he got your phone number."

    "Holy cow," she groaned again. "Thanks for doing what you could, Greg. If Rhy does find out I'll cover our tracks."

    Greg hung up and she began pacing the floor, waiting for the phone to ring again. What should she say? Should she try to disguise her voice? But afternoon faded into evening and still the expected call didn't come, so at last she bathed and went to bed. But she slept restlessly, falling into a deep sleep only in the early hours of the morning.

    It was the phone that woke her in the morning, the insistent ringing intruding slowly into her consciousness. At first she thought it was the alarm clock and she tried to shut it off but the ringing continued. When she realized it was the phone she grabbed it and in her haste dropped it to the floor.
    She hauled it UP by the cord and at last got the receiver to her ear.

    "Hello," she muttered sleepily, her voice sounding thick.

    "Is this Miss Jerome?" a deep, husky voice asked. There was a husky quality to that voice that tingled her nerves, but she was too sleepy to pick it up.

    "Yes, this is she," she acknowledged, stifling a yawn. "Who is this?"

    "I'm Rhydon Baines," the voice said and Sallie's eyes popped open. "Did I wake you?"

    "Yes, you did," she said baldly, unable to think of any polite assurance to give him, and a deep chuckle made her shiver with reaction. "Is anything wrong, Mr. Baines?"

    "No, I just wanted to congratulate you on the job you did in Washington. That was a good piece of reporting. Sometime when you're free come up to my office for a talk. I think you're the only reporter on my staff I haven't met personally and you're one of my best."

    "-I-I will," she stammered. "Thank you, Mr. Baines."

    "Rhy," he corrected. "I prefer to be on first-name basis with the staff. And by the way, I apologize for waking you up, but it's time you were up anyway if you're going to be at work on time." With another chuckle he said goodbye and hung up and Sallie gasped as she looked at the clock. She was going to be late if she didn't hurry, but Rhy would wait a long time if he was waiting for her to put in an appearance in his office!

Chapter Three
    The morning went by without anything happening, though she kept a weather eye out for any sign of Rhy. She had to trust Greg to warn her if she should disappear into the ladies' room, but her phone remained silent. Brom was sent out on an assigm-nent to