Текст книги "Tall, Dark and Deadly"

Автор книги: Lisa Renee Jones

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 7 (всего у книги 40 страниц)

“And?”

She sighed and sat her cup down. “He’s agreed to help me for six months, but swears he won’t stay beyond.”

Surprise registered in his eyes. “You’re staying for six months, or he’s letting you go back to Washington?”

“He won’t help unless I stay.” Her tone was one of frustration. “Not at all how I want this to play out. But for now, I am stuck with this case, and will at least see it through.”

Steve leaned forward. “I don’t know Mark, but I know his reputation, and it’s a strong one.”

“Oh, he’s good at what he does. Too good for my dad to have lost him. I can only hope time will work in my favor and Mark will decide to stay.”

“And if he doesn’t?” he asked.

“I don’t know if my father will practice again. He certainly can’t run the firm. I will have to find someone to take over.”

“But not you.”

“No,” she said firmly. “Not me.”

Ready to change the subject and concerned about time, she said, “I have to shower and be to court by ten. What do you have for me?”

Steve pulled a large folder out of a notebook sitting on the table. “Three girls in Vegas raped and killed. All three look . . .”

She shot him a reprimanding look. “I know,” she paused for a beat, “like me. We all know this. What else?”

He gave her a measuring gaze. “You need to just chill, Lindsey. I don’t like that these girls look like you. It would be too damn easy for you to become a target.” He paused as he looked her over closely. “Make sure you’re not being followed. Those girls were all grabbed from behind. Be aware of your surroundings.”

She grunted. “First Mark and now you. Stop. I know how to take care of myself.”

“I’m damn glad to hear Mark has some sense. This is serious stuff.”

She snapped. “Stop acting like I am some novice, and show me the file.”

Steve sat back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his wide chest. “What gives, Lindsey?”

Lindsey looked at her coffee cup, and then back at him. “Sorry, Steve. I guess I’m more on edge than I realized.”

He stared at her for several seconds, and then nodded. “I know you have a lot on you right now.”

“It’s no excuse for me snapping. I’m sorry.”

He waved a dismissive hand. “Let’s talk Vegas,” he offered, giving her an escape from the moment, which she appreciated because she knew it was his intent.

“You said there were no suspects, right?” Lindsey asked.

“No one. They came up dry. The girls went to the same school and hung out at the same bar.”

A chill raced up her spine. “Bar? So far I have confirmed at least two of the girls in the Williams case hung out at the same bar.”

“Could be a lead,” he said. “I included a lot of general information like drivers’ license pictures of victims, and contact info for the detectives on the case.”

Lindsey took the folder. “Did the detectives here locally follow up on the Vegas lead? If they searched the national database, they would have found this.”

“The grapevine is pretty tight-lipped, but the word is that yes, it was examined but ruled out.”

Lindsey frowned. Steve asked, “What?”

Lindsey sighed. “You know what I am thinking. The obvious.”

“There was no way to tie Williams to the cases, so someone pushed Vegas under the rug.” His tone was grim with the potential truth. He and Lindsey both knew those type of things happened if someone had a political agenda and needed a conviction.

Lindsey nodded and then asked, “What time do you have?”

He glanced at his watch. “Eight forty-five. You better hit it if you’re going to shower.”

Lindsey took a big swig of her coffee and dotted her mouth with her napkin. “Yeah, my first day back in court. I better dress the part.”

“I won’t ask why you are wearing wrinkled clothes.”

They both knew she was meticulous about her appearance. Not only that, the very fact she was rushing home to change confirmed any assumptions he might make.

“And I won’t explain.” Lindsey stood up and grabbed the folder and her briefcase. After giving Steve a quick kiss and promising to check in that night, she started for the door.

Steve reached out and grabbed her arm. He grabbed her hand. “Be careful,” he said looking at her with concern etched in his face.

She nodded and turned to walk away but suddenly had a thought that made her turn back. “Hudson, the last trial I didn’t handle, can you find out how conclusive the DNA evidence was?”

He eyed her. “I can. You think it was a plant?”

“Maybe,” she said. “It’s a long shot, but worth looking at.”

* * * * *

Lindsey started stripping the minute she walked into her apartment, leaving a trail of clothes leading to the shower. Late to court wasn’t an option. Twenty minutes later, dressed in a stylish black suit, her hair twisted into a neat bun, she walked out her front door, dialing her phone as she pulled it shut behind her.

The receptionist at Paxton answered in two rings. “I need Mark. This is Lindsey.”

“Oh, dear,” she said in a panicked voice. “Mark has been grumbling about you.”

“I imagine.” Lucky for her, court would make it impossible for him to yell at her.

Music came on the line, and then, “Damn it Lindsey, where are you?”

“Temper, temper,” she said. “I’m on my way to the courthouse now. I’ll meet you in front.”

“If you ever pull a stunt like this again I swear I . . .”

Lindsey interrupted. “You’ll what?”

“Just get your ass to the courthouse.” The line went dead.

She stared at the phone. “That went well.” She sighed and hit end.

Lindsey stepped out of the cab to find Mark pacing the steps of the courthouse. The minute he saw her, he stalked in her direction looking like a hard-nosed, perfectly-dressed attorney who happened to be breathtaking sexy, and so angry he looked like he could kill.

The instant he was within hearing range, he started his verbal lashing. “You could have made us late.” He tapped the face of his watch.

Her chin lifted defiantly. “But I didn’t.”

Mark grabbed her arm, not hard, but no less forceful, as he leaned down, his mouth near her ear. “Don’t pull a stunt like this again.”

Lindsey’s eyes lifted to his, a challenge in the direct stare she gave him. “Or what, Mark?”

He looked her squarely in the eye. “Or I won’t stay around to deal with it.”

Her eyes widened with disbelief. She didn’t think he would hold his presence over her head. “You know what?” she asked, her tone low, but packed with fury. “I want your help, but I won’t have it held over my head. If this is how it’s going to be, then forget it. I don’t want your help. Give me the file, and I will take over.”

His eyes were so dark brown they were almost black, and she could see a muscle in his jaw jump. She could almost hear him count to ten in his head. Then, as if the anger she had just seen in his eyes had never existed, an aloof coolness filled his face. His hand dropped from her arm. “This isn’t the time or place for this discussion. We’re due in court.”

For a moment, she actually had the crazed desire to tell him to go to hell, demand the case file, and march up the courtroom stairs by herself. A moment was it. After that, sanity took over. She didn’t want the case or the firm. “Fine,” she spat, because no other words came to mind. Not ones that wouldn’t greatly hurt her chances of keeping Mark at Paxton.

They eyed one another, a stand-off of sorts, and without another word, turned and walked, side by side, up the courthouse steps. A few minutes later, not a word spoken between them, they stepped into the courtroom. As they approached the defense table, Lindsey momentarily stopped walking. She could hardly believe who was representing the state.

Mark’s head jerked in her direction. “What?”

She swallowed, and started walking again. “Prosecutor change. Not a good one.”

Mark followed her lead. “Meaning what?”

She eyed him as they sat down. “Meaning Greg Harrison is not one of my favorite people.” In fact, he was one of her least favorites.

Mark leaned close. “I’m not in the mood for anymore surprises.”

She gave him a hard stare. “He’s my ex-fiancé, Mark.”

He shut his eyes a minute, and then refocused. “Let me guess? He isn’t going to play nice?”

“We’ll see, I guess.”

Mark pulled the case file out of his briefcase. “Wonderful. This day gets better and better.” He looked beyond her shoulder. “Don’t look now.”

Lindsey turned as Greg was almost upon them. Dark hair, blue eyes, with a tall, athletic build, most found him attractive. She’d seen the man beneath the outer shell. He was far more beast than beauty. “Hi, Greg,” she said, before he could speak, eager to take control of the conversation. She knew Greg. He was big on commanding the room. She indicated Mark with her hand, pushing her chair back so they could see each other. “Do you two know each other?”

“We know each other,” Mark said with cool politeness.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were back in town?” Greg said, focused on Lindsey, ignoring Mark.

She didn’t even try to smile. It would have taken too much effort. “Now you know.”

“All rise for the Honorable Nelson Dearman.”

Lindsey turned towards the judge, dismissing Greg with her action. “Catch you after court,” he whispered, leaning down far too close to her ear. And then he was gone.

Lindsey felt Mark rise next to her. It was strange letting him take control. She was used to controlling the courtroom, not watching another take charge. Forcing herself to ease back into her chair, she watched Mark in action. He presented well, compelling but not overbearing. It wasn’t long before a thirty-day continuance was in the pocket, and they exited the courtroom.

Her name rang out through the hallway, but Lindsey didn’t turn; she already knew it was Greg. She tried to ignore him, but he was persistent, simply increasing his volume. Just before she hit the elevator button, she exchanged a glance with Mark. His expression held both irritation and a demand: Shut the man up.

She turned, teeth clenched, as she willed herself to stay cool. “Lindsey?” Greg said, a bit out of breath as he stopped beside her. As if he had been half-running. “I thought we were going to talk after court?”

The elevator door opened. “When did we say that?”

He ignored her question. “Are you here to stay?”

“No,” she stated, her tone flat.

“How long?” he asked.

The elevator doors closed. “Too long.”

He stared at her. “Lindsey, please ease up.”

He glanced at Mark as if he was trying to decide what he should say in front of him. Then he took a step closer and leaned his head closer to Lindsey. “Have dinner with me.”

Even in a low tone, Greg came off demanding. Lindsey bit back her words, wanting to tell him what he could do with his dinner. “Not going to happen,” she said, stepping backwards so close to Mark she was almost touching him.

His eyes flashed with irritation. Maybe even a hint of anger. “I’ll call you,” he stated.

“I would rather you not.” Lindsey glanced up at Mark and then back to Greg. “We’re in a rush.” She punched the elevator button a little too hard, as if it would open the doors faster. Luck was on her side because it worked. The doors opened. “Goodbye, Greg,” she said, and gave him her back as she stepped into her escape car.

As she turned to face forward, Mark by her side, Greg’s eyes locked with hers. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

And then the doors slid shut.

Mark stared straight ahead. “This is going well.”

Lindsey shot him a glowering look. She was up to her chin with men for the day. Silence filled the elevator except for the ding at the floors, then, “I can’t see you with him.”

She laughed. Bitter. “That makes two of us.”

He didn’t ask anything more and she didn’t offer. By the time they were in the back of a cab, Lindsey was about to scream for the strain of their silence. She turned to him. “Yell at me or something. This tension is driving me nuts.”

Mark was leaning against the seat, his body relaxed. “It’s done.” As if that was it.

“Okay,” she said, turning away from him. “If that’s how you want it, so be it.”

She felt his eyes shift to her, but she didn’t look at him. “I don’t like these little games you’re playing.”

Her head turned. “Games?” she demanded. “What games?”

“That stunt this morning.”

“You can’t just demand to go with me, and expect me to do your bidding.”

“When it comes to Paxton or this case, I damn sure can.” His lips thinned, eyes narrowing. “Tell me I’m wrong, Lindsey.” A dare laced his words.

She turned away, staring out the window, fighting the roll of anger burning inside. Oh, how she wanted to tell him to go to hell. “You are so like them.”

“Like who?”

Damn. Had she said that out loud? Her arms crossed in front of her body. “No one.” She refused to look at him.

His hand went to her arm. “Who?”

“My father,” she said, her temper getting the best of her. “Greg.” There, it was said. Her voice was lower now, but no less intense, her eyes hard as they met his. “Men who have to be all and control all.”

Surprised registered in his face. “What does Greg have to do with this?”

“He and my father had it all planned out.” Her voice held bitterness. “Greg was just the kind of man my father wanted attached to me and Paxton.”

“But you didn’t see it that way?” he asked, speculation in his tone.

She felt the regret of her past mistakes. “I got smart. When Greg proposed, I declined.”

He raised a brow in question. “Just like that?”

“You make it sound simple. It wasn’t. It took a dead girl for me to see the light. Until then, I would have done anything to please my father.”

“Including marrying Greg?”

She looked away, unable to face the truth, let alone admit it out loud. “I didn’t. That’s what counts.”

He was silent for so long it was hard not to turn and look at him. Finally, he said, “I’m not like them.”

She wanted to believe that, but today he had tried to keep her under thumb. She didn’t respond. What good would it do?

Mark didn’t accept her silence. “Can you say something, Lindsey?”

She turned to him. “What am I supposed to say?”

His eyes flared. “Why is it wrong for me to worry about you when some crazy person has been killing women who look just like you?” His face hardened. “Does that make me controlling? Does that make me a jerk? If it does, I’ll live with it rather than see something happen to you.”

Lindsey swallowed, almost choking on her own guilt. “Mark.” He didn’t look at her. She didn’t know what to say. Turning to the window, she tried to make sense of the roar of confusing messages running through her head.

She didn’t know what to do about Mark. Maybe he was just worried about her. But, then, maybe his concerned words were simply a manipulation tactic.

* * * * *

The minute they stepped into the lobby of the Paxton Group, Judy greeted them with messages in hand. “The phone is ringing off the hook,” she said, her voice frazzled as she stuck a pencil behind her ear. “Everyone has heard the two of you are back.” Her attention went to Lindsey. “Your father called, sounding rather grumpy.”

Lindsey made a face. “So, he sounded normal.”

She laughed. “A little more on edge than usual,” she said, and thumbed through several messages, and a memory flashed in her face. “Oh, yeah, some guy called several times. Said his name was Todd but wouldn’t give me a last name or leave a message.”

Mark and Lindsey looked at one another. “The boyfriend?” Lindsey frowned.

“Maybe,” Mark said. “We did leave him several messages.”

“Yeah, but why not leave his last name and a number? It’s strange.” She shrugged. “I’ll just try and call him again.”

He nodded. “I’m going to have Maggie order some food. Want something?”

“Yeah, sure. She’ll know what to get,” Lindsey said, her thoughts still lingering on the oddness of Todd’s call.

* * * * *

Entering her father’s office, Lindsey let her body hit the chair with a loud thud, wishing it was her office, her space. Somehow it seemed as if that would be accepting a future at Paxton. Still, sitting in her father’s office was like being suffocated by his wishes.

The ones that included running her life.

But what was really upsetting her was fighting with Mark. Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. Her night with him had been amazing. For the first time in a long time—no, maybe ever—a man had made her feel feminine and special, but also, she grasped for the word . . . equal. Yes. She had felt as if what they had shared was just that. Shared. Give and take.

So what happened in the light of a new day?

Being honest with herself wasn’t always an easy task. No one wanted to face hard truths about their own choices and decisions. Or their fears. And Mark scared the hell out of her. He made her feel things she didn’t want to feel. Things she didn’t want to put names to. Fighting with him messed with her head far more than it should. Deep down, she knew, way too fast, she was developing feelings for Mark.

As if that wasn’t complicated enough, stepping back into the courtroom had been like a rush of memories. She’d expected as much. The big surprise was that they weren’t all bad. In fact, they were—for the most part—good. For the first time in years, she was questioning what she thought she knew. Being in the courtroom again had felt invigorating. A part of her had felt more alive than it had in years. And she had just been sitting behind a table: watching Mark, imagining her own performance.

The truth was, she had loved the challenge of each and every case. The high of winning had been exhilarating. Dropping her elbows to the desk, she buried her face in her hands. If only that woman hadn’t been killed. The hell of that murder had haunted her for years.

A stream of bright sunlight was suddenly at her window, as if a cloud had moved. Hot and heavy, it rested on her face, making her more uncomfortable than she already was. She pushed to her feet and moved to the window, pulling the cords to release the blinds, and turning the room into a darkened box. A perfect match for her mood.

She hadn’t called her father back, and she knew she had to. Judging from the mood Judy had suggested he was in, he’d probably heard about Mark. The firm needed Mark, but her father wouldn’t see it that way. What would he do if she refused to run the firm? Squeezing her eyes shut, willing herself to pick up the phone. Her fingers dialed. She tried Todd again. No answer. She left another message. And that was the end of her excuses. She dialed her father.

The minute he heard her voice, he went on the attack. “Lindsey, what in the hell is going on over there?”

She went for a matter-of-fact voice. “We had a good day in court.”

He growled into the phone. “You know damn well what I mean. Why is Mark Reeves in my offices?”

This was going well. “Daddy, listen—”

“No, you listen,” he huffed. “I want him the hell out of there now!”

Twisting the phone cord around her hand, she forced out her response. “I can’t do that.”

There was a pregnant silence, and she knew he was stunned at her open disregard for his wishes. “You can, and you will.”

She was firm on the outside, but arguing with her father had always been difficult. “I can’t.”

“Don’t cross me, Lindsey,” he warned.

This time she crossed the invisible line never to be crossed. She put it on the line. “He stays or I go.”

Silence, thick like a heavy blanket, fell between them. “What?”

Her voice was low. “I can’t handle the Williams case without him.”

He didn’t care. “You can, and you will,” he said in a biting tone. “I’m warning you, Lindsey Paxton, get rid of him by tomorrow or I will. I don’t care if I have to have security carry him out.”

She clenched her teeth. “I won’t do it, Daddy. We’re a package deal. He stays or I go.”

“Get rid of him.” And the line went dead.

Her stomach twisted in a knot. Holding the receiver, a bit stunned by the outcome, she couldn’t seem to get herself to move. A knock on the door made her jump, and she dropped the phone. It crashed against the desk and hit the floor. “Come in,” she yelled, as she reached for it.

“Look, what I have for you!” Lindsey knew Judy’s voice without turning. She replaced the receiver and turned to find her rushing towards the desk with a vase of roses. “Someone sent you flowers.”

Setting them on the corner of the desk, Judy stepped back and surveyed the arrangement with approval. “They’re so pretty,” she beamed.

It didn’t take reading the card to tell Lindsey who sent them. They were Greg’s signature pink roses. She swallowed, trying to fight that old feeling of claustrophobia the combination of Greg and her father combined had always evoked.

Reality hit hard. The courtroom hadn’t driven her away. They had.

“Aren’t you going to look at the card?” Judy asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Lindsey’s lips thinned. “No,” she responded. “I know who they are from.”

Maggie walked in at that moment, Lindsey’s lunch in hand. She froze in the doorway. “Oh, dear,” she said and then began walking again. “Greg knows you’re back, I see.”

Lindsey grunted. “Yes,” she said in a strained tone. “Would you believe he’s prosecuting Williams?”

Maggie’s face filled with understanding as she sat the bag of food down on her desk. “Sorry, dear,” she said and patted Lindsey’s hand. “I know this is not easy for you.”

Lindsey gave her a look of appreciation.

Judy now stood with her hands on her hips. “Who’s Greg?”

Maggie shot her a reproachful look. “No one interesting.” Maggie directed a rare frown at her. “Whose covering the phone?”

Judy’s hands flew to her chest. “Oh goodness. The flowers distracted me, and I completely forgot the phones.” She turned to exit and peeked over her shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she added and dashed away.

Maggie focused on Lindsey. “You okay?” Lindsey nodded. Maggie wasn’t satisfied. “You don’t look okay, you look pale.” Maggie indicated the food with a nod. “Perhaps eating will do you good.”

Lindsey eyed the bag. “I’m not very hungry. Why don’t you see if anyone else wants it? I’ll take the drink though.” She offered a weak smile.

“Are you sure?” Maggie asked, with concern falling over her features.

An unconvincing smile filled her face. “Yes, I’m sure.” A thought came to mind. If anyone knew what the past held . . . “Maggie, what happened between Daddy and Mark?”

“Well dear, I’m not completely sure. It comes down to one simple fact. No one crosses your father and gets away with it.”

Lindsey sighed. “Right. How did Mark’s leaving impact the firm?”

“I know our billing dropped more than fifty percent.” She hesitated and then said, “I heard them argue just before Mark walked out. Something about the wrong type of clientele and people who don’t pay their bills.”

It made sense. Mark hadn’t been the bad guy. He’d been trying to save the firm. “Is Mark in his office?”

Maggie nodded. “Yes, I just took him his food.”

“Okay, thanks Maggie.” She pushed to her feet. “I’m going to go see him.”

* * * * *

“Mark?”

Mark’s eyes lifted from the file in front of him. He’d know Lindsey’s voice anywhere. He’d been thinking about her. If thoughts could will someone to appear, his had willed her to his office.

“Do you have a minute?”

He could see the tension lines in her face. Leaning back in his chair, he waved her forward. “What’s wrong with you?”

“My father,” she stated.

That said it all. “He found out I’m back and wants me removed immediately.”

Lindsey’s eyed widened as she settled into the chair in front of his desk. “Yes, exactly. How did you know?”

“I expected as much.” Edward, was, if nothing else, predictable.

“He threatened to have security escort you out.”

Mark pushed away from his desk and stood up. He walked around the desk and leaned on it, facing her. Close but not too close. Edward wasn’t his concern. “What do you want?”

She didn’t hesitate. “I want you to stay.”

“You’re sure?” he asked. Her accusation still ate at him. “You said I was just like him.”

She looked down. “I was upset.” Her eyes lifted again.

He needed to know where they stood. “That doesn’t tell me anything.”

“Mark, I . . .” Her words faltered.

His eyes probed her face. “What did you tell Edward?” Her answer would say a lot.

Her chin raised a notch higher as if she wanted him see the truth in her gaze. “I told him if you go, I go.”

He reached for her then, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet, and then into his arms. She came without hesitation, hand on his chest, looking up at him with those soft, too-green eyes. “And he said what in response?” Mark asked.

A wave of distress flashed across her face. Unaware of her action, her hands tightened on his shirt. “He hung up on me.”

Mark couldn’t help feeling a hint of amusement. He would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when Lindsey had laid it on the line. But she was distressed, and he understood why. His hand ran down her back. “Everything will work out. I promise. Let me think things through, and we’ll talk before the meeting. Is that fair enough?”

“How can he expect me to do this alone?” she said, as if a wall had come down and she had decided to unload on him. “I’ve never even touched the books, and dealing with the partners is new to me. I can’t do this Williams case alone—”

Mark cut her off by kissing her, a soft, reassuring press of his lips to hers. When he lifted his head, he smiled at her. “It’ll work out, I promise.”

“Why does he hate you so much?”

Mark was silent. He hadn’t told Lindsey what had happened between him and Edward, and now didn’t seem like the time. “He and I simply don’t agree on business matters.”

She grabbed his tie. “Don’t shut me out, damn it.”

His hand went to her face. “Then don’t shut me out. Give me a chance before you judge me.”

Her eyes registered her guilt, but her words were defensive. “I had a good reason for not taking you to the meeting with Steve.”

“You ran out on me while I was in the shower. That was a low blow.”

She paled. “If you hadn’t demanded—”

“I was worried.”

“I can take care of myse—” He swallowed her words with his mouth, kissing her as if he was drinking her in, with long, sensual strokes. Lindsey was like a fine wine, perfect from the very first drop, and addictive from there.

Whatever she was doing to him, he wanted more. The instant his tongue touched hers, she relaxed into him, arms inching around his neck, body leaning into him. She felt what he did. This irresistible need to explore what was between them. Right or wrong, what they shared was too alive to ignore.

When they came up for air, he leaned close to her ear. “I wasn’t trying to control you.”

“I know,” she whispered.

He leaned back to see her eyes. “You’re sure?”

She smiled. “At this very moment, in your arms, having just been kissed very well,” she said, “yes.”

He laughed. “I guess I will settle for that answer.”

“Do you have time to hear what Steve had to say?” She pointed at the untouched bag of food on his desk. “You can eat while I talk.”

He smiled. “Sounds good.”

“Then we can figure out how to handle my father.”

“I’ll take care of Edward.”

She fixed him in a look. “Not without telling me how. We do this together or not at all.”

Mark smiled to himself. Lindsey had no idea how much she had just given him.