Hothouse Orchid (Holly Barker 6)

“There’s just one more arrest I want to be there for,” she said, “and then I’m all yours.”

“Want to tell me about it?”

“I’ll tell you about it when it’s over,” she said.

Holly’s phone rang late that afternoon. “Hello?”

“It’s Lance.”

“Hey. You want me to go to the secure phone?”

“No, it’s not necessary. I just called to let you know that Joshua Harmon is being offered the position he applied for.”

“Great! When?”

“Tomorrow morning,” Lance said. “I thought you might like to tell him yourself.”

“Thanks, I would. Tell me, Lance, how did this all move along so quickly?”

“Dr. Harmon has friends in high places,” Lance replied. “Goodbye.” He hung up.

Holly hung up, laughing.

She was getting dinner ready when Josh arrived, looking a little down. “Another bad day?”

“Another boring one,” Josh said, pouring them both a drink and taking a stool.

“You’re really getting tired of it here, aren’t you?”

“That and I’m not very happy about your going back and leaving me behind.”

“Are you sure you want to move to McLean?”

“I certainly want to move somewhere, and McLean is where you are, so that’s good enough for me.”

“So you would consider a job offer good news?”

“I don’t want to think about it; then if I don’t get it I’ll be less disappointed.”

“I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed,” Holly said, kissing him on the forehead.

“Well, that’s a nice thought,” Josh replied. “That makes me feel better already.” He raised his glass. “That and this Scotch whiskey.”

“Congratulations,” Holly said. “You got the job.”

He looked at her closely. “Are you serious?”

“Perfectly.”

“How could this happen so quickly?”

“You’ve got friends in high places,” Holly said.

Josh came off the stool, grabbed her and kissed her. “That’s the best news I’ve ever had,” he said.

“And you’re young yet,” she laughed.

He began helping her in the kitchen.