Read Online A Man of His Word by Sarah M. Anderson - Free Book Online Page B

thing just got odder and odder, but he pressed on, copying down every possibly relevant piece of information. His hand began to cramp. He didn’t normally like those little computers—too easy to drop—but he was thinking maybe he’d pick one up the next time he was in town.
    By the time he finished, Dan was pretty sure he knew everything about Tanner Donnelly, from what kind of cereal he ate for breakfast to the name of the first girl he’d ever kissed. Seemed like a decent guy. If Rosebud’s notes were accurate—and he had no reason to doubt that—then he could see how she refused to accept the suicide ruling.
    But he’d seen no red flags, nothing that said Cecil or even Thrasher. Not even a casual connection to Armstrong Holdings.
    He had nothing.
    When he leaned back to rub his eyes, he found Rosebud watching him. “Well?”
    â€œYou’re nothing if not thorough.”
    She cocked her head to one side and bounced the end of her pen on the table. Dan had the distinct feeling he was about to be cross-examined. “Is that what you told your uncle?”
    â€œBeg pardon?”
    â€œWhen you reported back about our evening. I’m sure he was…curious, shall we say, to know if you accomplished your assignment.”
    He might be mistaken, but he thought he saw a little bit of that pink come back into her cheeks. “Are you asking me if I told him I kissed you?”
    He wasn’t mistaken. The pink got prettier as her eyes cut to the doorway, but it was empty. “That was your assignment, wasn’t it? I’m not stupid, Mr. Armstrong.”
    She had him dead to rights. He really hoped she didn’t have a gun in that briefcase. “Only a fool would assume you were.” Because it sure would be nice to know she didn’t think him a total idiot—or worse, Cecil’s lapdog.
    She smirked at the compliment, but didn’t return the favor. “You’re avoiding the question.”
    He couldn’t tell which part of her was doing damage control, the lawyer or the woman. “You act like my company kissed your tribe.”
    For a second, he saw a little bit of doubt on her face. “Wasn’t that the point?”
    He knew the chair might kill him, but he took the chance and leaned forward—not close enough to touch her, but close enough that he could tell she was biting the inside of her lip. The chair whined pitifully, but at least it held. “Did it ever occur to you that I was kissin’ you? ”
    Oh, she was tough. Aside from that lovely blush she was working on, she didn’t react at all—not even to lean away from him. “Does your uncle see such a distinction?”
    Which was a nice, polite way of saying “answer the damn question.” He shook his head, hoping his amusement didn’t further piss her off. “You want to know what I told him?”
    â€œPlease.” She sat up a little straighter.
    Dan looked at her for a few more seconds before he hazarded leaning back in his chair. If Cecil heard what he was about to say, he’d draw and quarter Dan for treason. But the search for bugs in the kitchen had turned up nothing, as had the search of his room. He was going on a hope anda prayer that this room wasn’t bugged. “I told him that you were tougher than I thought. I told him you couldn’t be wined and dined. I told him I’d need more time.”
    She was silent. Her pretty blush drained away, but that was the only sign she’d heard him. “I see. Did you give him an idea of how much time you’d need?”
    Hell, he was in this far. “He told me the next court date is in five weeks.” Besides, she’d said so herself. She wasn’t stupid.
    â€œLet me guess. He wants me out of the picture before then.” Her voice had a new, pinched tone to it.
    â€œThat’s what he wants.”
    A stillness came over her. Her pen didn’t