Lisa set down the teacups with a bit more force than necessary. "I'm not heartbroken over anything."

Gracia Hughes had been blessed with an innocent face. It had served her well, as the wife of an investigator. She had also been blessed with a sharp mind, which had served her even better, as the wife of Maas Hughes, in particular.

Hughes gave him a brisk shake. "Stop that. I'll always support you, and you know it. And your people will follow you to Hell as many times as you choose to go there. But is there anyone else who can do what he did? Ed the Amazing, Traveling Trouble Magnet, Problems Solved at No Extra Charge?"

Ed supposed there was some reason for the concern. Ed spent at least half his time at Roy's house instead of his own. His conversation had become peppered with Roy's comments even in the man's absence. And now Al was wondering whether his big brother was about to get his heart broken for him. Al thought that way.

When she dragged him out the door he had thought they might at least go shop for reasonable things, like a supply of screws in thirty-one sizes or a new lathe. But no.