Page 74 of In the Line of Ire

"Can Ihelp you?" she asked breathlessly.

"No,thanks," said Solomon. "I just came in to say hi to mywife."

"Oh?"said Madga flatly. "Perhaps customer relations can help you findher?"

"No needfor that. She's right there," he said, looking over her shoulderand nodding at me.

Magda's head spun around faster than Linda Blair’s inThe Exorcist."Lexi?"

Ismiled.

"Lexi isyourwife?"

"That'swhat the law says," said Solomon.

"Youhave two minutes," snipped Magda at me as she turned back toSolomon. "Lexi is busy working."

"I'll bevery quick," said Solomon before Magda stomped off.

"Great,now you've upset my boss," I said.

Solomonfolded his arms and frowned. "How? I didn't doanything."

"She'scross that you're married to me."

"Icannot fathom why that should irritate her."

"Look ina mirror and get back to me," I said. Then I dropped my voice, "Whyare you here anyway? You could blow our cover."

Hefrowned. "I thought you needed my help."

"No. Whywould I?"

"Yousaid the safe phrase."

"Ididn't!"

"Potroast for dinner," said Solomon, his eyebrows rising.

"Is it?Great!"

"No,that's the safe phrase."

I pulleda face. "Oops."

"Youdidn't remember." It wasn't a question.

"Ofcourse I remembered!"

"After Ireminded you."

"Can Ihelp you?" I asked. "I'm busy working."

Solomonlooked around at the lack of shoppers. "I've been listening. Youhaven't helped a single customer in more than thirtyminutes."

"Theother kind of working," I hissed. "The undercover stuff. You haveto go now before you blow my disguise and all anyone wants to talkabout is you."

"Whywould they do that?"

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