re were others around； the temptation would be less。
Howard dashed her hopes。 〃He wants you in New York。 That's where the
drawing boards are。 He'll make arrangements for your transportation and
housing。 I have to get back to him later to tell him when。 Wednesday；
you say？〃
She gave a low but very audible drawn…out sigh。 〃It's as good a day as
any。〃
〃That's my girl！ I'll call you with the details。 Okay？〃
〃You're the boss。〃
She should have felt victorious； hanging up the phone。 If Ross caved in；
there would be no need for a referendum and the Rye Beach plex would
be built on an environmentally sound plan。 How much better could things
be？
Tossing her hair over her shoulder； she grabbed her now empty mug and
stomped through the living room into the kitchen； where she poured more
coffee and reached for the sticky bun Lee had left。 That was when she
spotted the open door to his office。
〃Lee！〃 She burst in； rousing her partner from the depths of a thick
folder。 〃Lee； you're just the person I need。〃 So much for gentlemen's
agreements。 Despite what she'd told Howard； if Lee would fill in for
her； she would send him to New York。 She could play just as dirty as
Ross。
〃Umm？〃
〃I need you to fill in for me in New York on Wednesday。 Can you make
it？〃
He was shaking his head before she'd even finished。 〃I'll be in