Read Online A Case of the Heart by Beth Shriver - Free Book Online Page A

against her will, not wanting to be too excited about this. “I’m looking forward to it.”
    “Me, too.”
    As Liz disconnected she caught a glimpse of Norma walking by. She was dressed in her normal black pants and shirt. But today she’d donned a white scarf with matching shoes. She never said hello—to anyone. How must it feel to be Norma, living such a lonely and miserable life?
    Even if Norma was difficult, it didn’t mean Liz needed to be. Liz hadn’t responded well to the situation the other day, and her conscience had been bothering her ever since it had happened.
    She walked down the hall to Norma’s office and leaned against the doorjamb. Norma didn’t do much in the way of decorating her office. No one really did. These old buildings were in such sad shape it was hard to make them look good. Liz studied her. Norma’s beady eyes caught hers momentarily, then looked back to her files.
    “Norma?”
    She kept filing, but Liz spoke anyway. “I’m sorry about the other day. I’m just trying to keep the caseloads even for everybody.”
    Norma continued to file, but said, “Are you just covering yourself because you want that supervisory position?”
    Liz paused to absorb what Norma just said. She was trying to apologize, and all Norma could think of was a selfish reason for the apology. Lord, give me patience . “I’m sorry you feel that way.”
    Liz stood there for a minute longer, and Norma finally turned to acknowledge her.
    Norma sat down hard in her cushy chair, catching some air and bounced. She slapped the file that was in her lap and looked straight ahead. “I don’t want the cases you have been giving me.”
    “But Norma you can’t take less than the others.”
    Norma waved her off. “It’s more than that.”
    “Then what is it?”
    Norma looked down at the file in her lap. “I don’t think I can handle emergency calls anymore.” She shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest.
    Liz blew out a sigh. “I don’t blame you.”
    Norma snorted. “I thought only the officers got into situations like those.”
    “Yeah, me too,” Liz said sarcastically.
    Norma stood and placed the file in a cabinet. Liz took the hint and turned to leave. “Maybe you should talk to Michael.”
    “I will.”
    Liz stepped out into the hallway and almost ran into Michael. She muttered a hello, and he followed her into her office and waited as she sorted through a tower of messages. “What ever happened to voice mail?”
    She stopped flipping through them, grateful for the break. “I like the old-fashioned way.”
    He sat down and crossed his legs, right over left, just as he always did. There was something comforting in his dependable habits and attire. “You look like you’re in a hurry.”
    “Just trying to wrap up details on old cases, plus I’m still working on the Harris case.”
    “With Demas?”
    “Yes.”
    He looked away for a moment. Liz sat quietly at her desk. Where’s he going with this?
    Michael sighed as he tapped his fingers on his thigh and then scooted to the end of his seat to rest his long arms on her desk. “I’m sorry, Liz. I feel a little protective for some reason. Not very professional of me.”
    She stared at him in surprise. “You don’t need to protect me.”
    He chuckled, but stopped when she glared. “I don’t want you to get hurt. Demas has a reputation you know.”
    Here she thought he’d been referring to the Sanders case, when he was actually worried about her personal relationships. His opinion of Alex ticked her off a little. Not that she was totally convinced herself yet, but Alex’s preconceived reputation was getting old.
    “I appreciate your concern, but you don’t need to be.”
    He leaned over the desk, then took her hand and looked at the bruise. He examined it for a moment, turning her wrist over.
    “Was this from last night?” His brows drew together, and he held her tighter.
    She nodded and pulled her hand away, disgusted now that she