Read Online BlackJack (A Standish Bay Romance Book 1) by Christine Donovan - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Christine Donovan
Ads: Link
hoping for an uneventful , quiet day. Like that
would happen today of all days . He gulped his black coffee, trying
to perk up as he mused over the Cole Jackson problem. His son and ex-wife were
so taken by the man, it got him to thinking maybe, just maybe, the man did get
a raw deal. John seriously doubted it, but he knew sometimes justice didn’t
prevail.
***
Shannon’s small
shuttle plane to New York’s LaGuardia Airport rattled her kidneys the whole
way, which didn’t help the stomachache she’d had since last night’s encounter
with Cole. On top of her irritable stomach, her head pounded so badly not even
three aspirins had dulled it. She certainly hoped she didn’t look as bad as she
felt. Because she felt like someone had scrubbed her against a washboard, pounded
her against the side of some rocks for extra effort and left her out in the
scorching heat of the day to dry. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant
feeling.
When the plane
finally landed, she thanked God. Although, truth be told, she didn’t know how
she’d get through her busy day. Her agent, Carol Sawyer, was picking her up at
the airport, then taking her directly to lunch. After lunch Carol was dropping
her off at her first book signing. The signing was in a small independent
bookstore in SoHo. It was a quaint, personable bookstore that sold a decent
amount of her books. It was owned by a nice, older couple who always made
Shannon feel welcome.
After she
finished there, she would take a cab to the Hilton, check-in and prepare for
dinner with her editor, Kevin English. Shannon always looked forward to seeing
him. And she hoped if she timed her day right she might have time for a phone
call or two to start her research into Cole’s case.
Later in the
afternoon, after a harrowing cab ride across the city, Shannon’s nerves were
even more frazzled. After scanning her key card, she opened the door and
gasped. Sitting on the table, which served as a desk, sat two dozen long stem
red roses. Mesmerized by the sight of them, she hurried across the room and
opened the card. “Shannon, thanks for believing in me. Cole.”
She sat down on
the edge of the bed and gave herself five minutes to have a good self-pity cry.
Whatever happened to the days when you could have a good long cry? Spend all
day brooding over your broken heart. Obviously, it was not to be in this
lifetime anyway. She didn’t have the time.
After her
shower she threw on a robe and called one of the New York police stations. The
police sergeant she spoke with was helpful. He gave her the number of the station
were the homicide detective who handled Cole’s case worked. There were times
when having a well-recognized name was an advantage. He never questioned her
motives, so she let him assume it was research for a book.
She dialed the
correct station house, but Detective Guy Simone had left for the day. Shannon
left a brief message, her hotel number and her cell phone number. Next she
would try to reach Cole’s lawyer. The name was embedded in her mind. The case
had received so much publicity, and Cole’s lawyer had been one of the top
defense attorneys in the country. Fortunately for her, he resided in New York. She
dialed Arthur Monroe’s law office and was surprised to be connected to him. He
didn’t know how much he could help her. Anything Cole had shared with him was
confidential, but he did tell her what courthouse the trial was held in and she
should be able to request a copy of the transcripts. They were public-record
since the case was closed.
After thanking
him, she hung up and her brain began to hum. Not too bad for today, because
now, at least she had somewhere to start. Fortunately, due to the nature of
Shannon’s work, and her love of writing romantic suspense, she knew a few good
investigators. Hopefully she might be able to convince one of them to take the
case. Especially if she did all the legwork by giving them the court
transcripts and internet research
would happen today of all days . He gulped his black coffee, trying
to perk up as he mused over the Cole Jackson problem. His son and ex-wife were
so taken by the man, it got him to thinking maybe, just maybe, the man did get
a raw deal. John seriously doubted it, but he knew sometimes justice didn’t
prevail.
***
Shannon’s small
shuttle plane to New York’s LaGuardia Airport rattled her kidneys the whole
way, which didn’t help the stomachache she’d had since last night’s encounter
with Cole. On top of her irritable stomach, her head pounded so badly not even
three aspirins had dulled it. She certainly hoped she didn’t look as bad as she
felt. Because she felt like someone had scrubbed her against a washboard, pounded
her against the side of some rocks for extra effort and left her out in the
scorching heat of the day to dry. Needless to say, it was not a pleasant
feeling.
When the plane
finally landed, she thanked God. Although, truth be told, she didn’t know how
she’d get through her busy day. Her agent, Carol Sawyer, was picking her up at
the airport, then taking her directly to lunch. After lunch Carol was dropping
her off at her first book signing. The signing was in a small independent
bookstore in SoHo. It was a quaint, personable bookstore that sold a decent
amount of her books. It was owned by a nice, older couple who always made
Shannon feel welcome.
After she
finished there, she would take a cab to the Hilton, check-in and prepare for
dinner with her editor, Kevin English. Shannon always looked forward to seeing
him. And she hoped if she timed her day right she might have time for a phone
call or two to start her research into Cole’s case.
Later in the
afternoon, after a harrowing cab ride across the city, Shannon’s nerves were
even more frazzled. After scanning her key card, she opened the door and
gasped. Sitting on the table, which served as a desk, sat two dozen long stem
red roses. Mesmerized by the sight of them, she hurried across the room and
opened the card. “Shannon, thanks for believing in me. Cole.”
She sat down on
the edge of the bed and gave herself five minutes to have a good self-pity cry.
Whatever happened to the days when you could have a good long cry? Spend all
day brooding over your broken heart. Obviously, it was not to be in this
lifetime anyway. She didn’t have the time.
After her
shower she threw on a robe and called one of the New York police stations. The
police sergeant she spoke with was helpful. He gave her the number of the station
were the homicide detective who handled Cole’s case worked. There were times
when having a well-recognized name was an advantage. He never questioned her
motives, so she let him assume it was research for a book.
She dialed the
correct station house, but Detective Guy Simone had left for the day. Shannon
left a brief message, her hotel number and her cell phone number. Next she
would try to reach Cole’s lawyer. The name was embedded in her mind. The case
had received so much publicity, and Cole’s lawyer had been one of the top
defense attorneys in the country. Fortunately for her, he resided in New York. She
dialed Arthur Monroe’s law office and was surprised to be connected to him. He
didn’t know how much he could help her. Anything Cole had shared with him was
confidential, but he did tell her what courthouse the trial was held in and she
should be able to request a copy of the transcripts. They were public-record
since the case was closed.
After thanking
him, she hung up and her brain began to hum. Not too bad for today, because
now, at least she had somewhere to start. Fortunately, due to the nature of
Shannon’s work, and her love of writing romantic suspense, she knew a few good
investigators. Hopefully she might be able to convince one of them to take the
case. Especially if she did all the legwork by giving them the court
transcripts and internet research
Similar Books
