Read Online All I've Ever Wanted by Adrianne Byrd - Free Book Online Page B

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    She’d spent the last few days researching everything she could get her hands on regarding A.D.A. Marion Underwood. Some articles painted him as a hero. Professionally, he’d won countless, impressive cases, ranging from domestic violence to organized crime. All were possible leads to his murder.
    Then there were the articles regarding his personal life that portrayed him as a hypocrite, a liar and a thief. Those were the ones that interested her.
    Marion Underwood, born and raised in Atlanta, had been married four times: once to a cop, the other three to the same woman, Judge Sandra Hickman.
    From what she could tell, his life hadn’t become interesting until his second marriage. He’d wed a Det. Jaclyn Mason, a cop with all the right connections. The bride’s father was Lieutenant Governor and her mother was District Attorney. How lucky could one ambitious man get? Though the marriage was brief, Underwood had emerged from it with a new job and a whole new lifestyle.
    At dawn, Aaliyah decided to call it quits. Other than marital woes, she couldn’t really find any dirt on the man, which was a great disappointment and meant that she’d wasted her time.
    Another article appeared on the screen just as she was ready to log off.
    FULTON COUNTY INMATE SCREAMS FOUL PLAY
    Aaliyah leaned forward in her chair and read the date of the article. July 13, 1992. She reached for her mug and sipped absently at the lukewarm coffee.
    According to the article, the inmate claimed that he’d been railroaded by the D.A.’s office. He also pointed a finger at A.D.A. Underwood for requesting a bribe.
    The way the piece was written, it dispelled the inmate’s ramblings as delusional and desperate. She quickly clicked another icon and pulled up all public information on the inmate, Keenan Lawrence.
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    Kennedy was dead on her feet. Dead asleep that is. By 10:00 a.m. she’d declared the day a total disaster, which didn’t leave much to look forward to.
    She’d lost count of how many customers had deserted her station, fuming.
    â€œDo I need to send you home before the lunch crowd swamps this place?” Bennie asked in a low and irritated voice. “You’re not much help to me if you’re going to be chasing away the customers.”
    â€œCut me some slack. I’m in the middle of having a bad life. Do you mind?”
    â€œBy all means, go ahead. Don’t let my measly little business get in your way.” His meaty hand covered his heart, but his look of sincerity was a mockery.
    â€œYou’re a real piece of work, Bennie.” She snatched the coffeepot from the burner and went to refill the cup of one of the diner’s regular’s, Mr. Riley.
    â€œA penny for your thoughts,” he said when he looked up at her somber expression.
    â€œWhy pay for what you can get for free?”
    He smiled. “You got me on that one.”
    Kennedy returned the gesture, though the cornersof her lips trembled a bit beneath the strain. “You’re sweet for asking. Thanks.” She patted his hand. “It’s just one of those days.”
    Bennie suddenly appeared at her side. “Kennedy, when you two are done flirting, you might want to attend to the customers at table twenty-three. They’ve been waiting for ten minutes.”
    She clenched her teeth, wishing like hell she could bite him.
    Bennie laughed and snapped a towel at her behind. “Get a move on it.”
    If she hadn’t known Bennie for most of her life, and considered him a good friend, she would have reamed him a new one for that smack.
    She arrived at table twenty-three and reached for her order pad without looking up. “Hi. Welcome to—”
    Her mouth fell open when she raised her eyes and recognized her customers as Detective Collier and his smug partner.
    â€œWhat the hell are you two doing here?”
    Dossman frowned. “I’m willing to bet that you’ve