Risky Business Read Online Free

about some things they did right and just grunted or nodded at others. Magdalena took mentalnotes on the layout. Closest to the door were oils. From Sofia, Magdalena had learned the popularity of these items. Logan said softly, “Who knew there were so many oils on the market.”
    Thomas pulled out one. “Whew. Twenty dollars for half an ounce of lavender. Why would anybody buy this?”
    “I do. It’s a mood calmer. It soothes you when inhaled, sprinkled on a pillow or applied to the skin.”

    “Which do you do?” Thomas asked, again his tone a bit suspect.
    “On her pillow,” Logan told him sharply.
    “How do you know that, little brother?”
    “She told me.” Which was a lie. During the week of the guys’ deaths, Logan had slept in her guest room and became familiar with her habits. Even now he spent the night sometimes if they were working late or had dinners at her house.
    Magdalena took note of the inventory. Fiber bars, protein powders, vitamins and energy bars filled the first aisles. A big frozen section spanned the back wall
.
    Down another aisle they saw gluten free and all natural flours, breads and packaged food. Magdalena picked one up. “I’ve had these brownies. They taste great.”
    “Five times what a package would cost in a grocery store.” Again, Thomasmade a disparaging remark.
    “That’s expected in an upscale store, Thomas. I’m going to buy them for Sofia. She eats gluten-free foods.” Browsing the rest of the shelving, Magdalena also chose rice macaroni and some cookies for her sister.
    They turned down a third aisle, which contained nonfood items like wine, lotions and dish liquid. Then they came upon another display. “Seriously?” Thomasasked.
    Logan and Magdalena exchanged a look. She said, “It seems silly to us maybe, but people’s dogs are like their children. Especially in New York, where there are a lot of working animal owners.”
    Eventually Thomas left, and Magdalena saw Logan relax. “He’s a tough nut to crack, as they say.”
    Magdalena nodded. “Though most of these products aren’t my kind of thing, we have to respectthe fact that people like them. That’s their business.”
    Purposely, they didn’t talk about any improvements they’d make, because this was an unannounced visit. They’d wait until lunch to discuss what they’d seen. At least the rest would be more pleasant, now that they were alone
.
    oOo
    Despite the heavy clothing they wore, Logan shuddered when they got out of the cab and hurriedinto Max’s, one of their favorite spots back in Manhattan. Once inside, Magdalena un-looped a gray scarf that appeared soft to the touch from around her neck.
She
looked soft to the touch, too, Logan thought, and always so feminine. A waiter showed them to a table.
    Logan sat down and rubbed his hands together. “Something warm. I need something warm.”
    “Let’s start with coffee and talk abit.” The waiter fetched their drinks and they ordered food.
    “So, how’d you think it went?” Logan asked. He really wanted to know. Her insights were invaluable
.
    “I wasn’t impressed by the layout.” Magdalena shook her head, sending that long hair everywhere. “It was too packed with inventory. More than once, I bumped into displays when I turned around.”
    “And I’d say that the overallaura of the store wasn’t up to the clientele who thrive in Westchester. For the strip malls, with Chico’s and Nordstrom’s, that will have to be cleaned up.”
    “We should definitely check out more stores. Unannounced, again. We can do the formal walk-through with management after we see a couple on our own.”
    “I agree.”
    “Did you see the overlap in employees?”
    “Some. None of these thingsare deal breakers, though, do you think?
    “No, they’re mostly cosmetic. The stock seems great to me.” Logan rolled his eyes. “Despite what Thomas thought.”
    The food arrived. “Hmm. No business talk while we eat.” They’d always followed that rule.