One: "Out of all the woman in the world, you chose a bloody cop?"

"Out of all the women in the world," Summerset said, his voice just short of a shout, "out of all the women in the world, you chose a bloody cop?"

Roarke winced. "Not exactly the response I was hoping for."

Summerset ignored him. "Do you realize what you've done? Didn't I manage to put a single thing into that thick skull of yours? As long as there aren't witnesses, it didn't happen. A cop is a witness, that's for damn certain."

Surprised at the sudden outburst, Roarke stared. "She won't turn her back on me."

"How do you think you can know that?" Summerset turned away, struggling to fight back the emotions overwhelming him.

"I killed Morse," Roarke returned coolly before the older man could continue. "She lied for me, and she didn't have to."

Summerset curled his hands into fists, but said nothing.

"And last week," Roarke added, "I brought some of my more questionable businesses into the light. She knew of them, but as they troubled her, I took care of it."

Speechless, Summerset turned back around.

"Lieutenant Eve Dallas is not one to break her word, or turn her back," Roarke finished. "I trust her with that, with all I am. She'll die before she betrays me."

He rose from his chair, and walked out of the room.

**