Read Online Blackmail by Robin Caroll - Free Book Online Page B

quiet susceptibility that caused a gut reaction in him. Had to be. Couldn’t be that he was actually attracted to her. No, no way. Women with a reputation like hers were a complication to be avoided. She reminded him too much of Aunt Torey. He would put Sadie Thompson right out of his mind, totally and completely.
    But as he strode into the building, Jon couldn’t help but recall how nervous she’d been around him last night. Because of Caleb’s attitude? No, he’d detected something else. Something more. Jon didn’t know what, but his gut instinct told him she’d been hiding something from him. He’d always been a sucker for a mystery.
    And Sadie Thompson was an enigma.
    â€œMorning, Lisa.” Jon kept his fast stride as he passed her desk.He had a pile of paperwork awaiting him because he’d had appointments all day yesterday.
    Good, paperwork. Nothing like a mound of reports to process to keep his mind on work where it should be, not on some woman with killer eyes and a sad smile.
    Sitting down, he booted up his computer and grabbed his case files. Reports had to be made and sent in to the home office or he’d get a nasty letter.
    He spied the top folder and groaned. Caleb Frost. The initial interview and first home visit report needed to be completed and mailed in to the state. Jon scanned his notes, tapping a pen against the desk. In his professional opinion, Caleb didn’t stand a chance of rehabilitation, and that’s what he’d put in his report. He’d seen similar situations way too often and the success rate was below twenty percent. It was his job to use such percentages in his reports. He suspected Sadie wouldn’t be too happy with his findings. He told himself he wouldn’t care about what she’d think when she got her copy of the report.
    Yet deep inside, he did care. Too much, if he was honest with himself.
    His intercom buzzed, yanking him from his errant thoughts. Lisa’s voice floated through the line. “Lance Wynn on line two for you.”
    He reached for the phone. “Jon Garrison.”
    â€œHi, Mr. Garrison. It’s Lance Wynn.”
    â€œWhat can I do for you, Lance?”
    â€œI need to reschedule my appointment for tomorrow. Your secretary said I’d have to talk to you.”
    Lisa probably wouldn’t appreciate being referred to as a secretary, but that was beside the point. “Why do you need to reschedule?”
    â€œIn case you haven’t caught the news, my family’s going through a lot right now. I need to help my father’s company.”
    Jon brought up Lance’s file on the computer. “Yeah, I heard about that. Nasty stuff, the sabotage. And the murder at the rig.”
    â€œIt is. And last night, another one was sabotaged. This one’s leaked stuff into the bayou. So you can see why I need to reschedule my appointment with you.”
    Jon scanned the notes on the computer. “So, you and your father are working together?” According to the last entry, Lance and Deacon Wynn still weren’t on good terms. Had the trials of the company brought father and son back together?
    Lance paused. “I’m trying. I think if I can help my dad get through this, we’ll be okay. I need to prove to him that I care.”
    Sounded more like wishful thinking on Lance’s part to Jon, but he had to admire the young man for trying to get back in his father’s good graces. Then again, with millions of dollars at stake, who could blame Lance for going all-out in his attempts? Jon scrolled down his notes. “What about your relationship with your stepmother? How’s that going?”
    â€œWe basically avoid each other.”
    Not as much progress there, but then again, Lance hadn’t referred to the new Mrs. Wynn in his usual derogatory manner, so that counted for something. “We talked about your acceptance of her, remember?”
    â€œI’m working