Read Online Blood of the Pride by Sheryl Nantus - Free Book Online Page B

would be a great follow-up column.”
    “I think not.” I got up from the table and snatched up the picture, stuffing it into the torn envelope. “I’ve got what I came here for. I’ll leave you to your trash reporting and malicious rumor mongering.”
    He stood between me and the door. All I had to do was get by him and I could get on with my life and my investigation.
    His expression reminded me of a kit on his first hunt. I wasn’t getting away from him that easily.
    “There’s no need for name calling.” Bran moved closer, still blocking my escape. “I’ve played nice. I’ve let you in to my apartment, into my life. I had nothing to do with her being murdered, so why the hate?”
    “I don’t hate you.” The amount of emotion in my words shocked me. “I just have a job to do.”
    “As do I.” There was a predatory spark in his eyes. “Which is why I’m working the rest of this case with you.”
    The words hit me like a bucket of ice water. I shook my head. “I can’t. I work alone.”
    “Not anymore.” He stuffed his hands back into his pockets, an almost childlike grin on his face. “Because if you don’t, I’m going to put in another story talking about your involvement in the case.”
    The words caught in my throat. “That would compromise my work. I might never find the killer.”
    “That’s right.” Bran nodded with a knowing look. “So, why don’t we start with me asking my doorman for a glance at the security tapes to see how that envelope got up here?”
    Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose, buying some time. “I don’t have partners.” I chose the words carefully, saying them slowly. “I work alone. I’ve always worked alone. However…” His scent washed over me in waves, sending my pulse into triple digits. I was breaking my own rules. The problem was, I liked it. “As long as you do nothing and write nothing until we finish this up, you can come along. And I want a full apology printed in the Inquisitor for publishing that picture.” My eyes flew open, glaring into his dark brown ones. “That’s as far as I’m willing to take negotiations. Take it or leave it.”
    “Deal.” Bran reached behind him, grabbing the doorknob. “So let’s go talk to Dan.”

Chapter 6
    The doorman was actually ex-SAS, a retired officer who wanted to keep working despite receiving a decent pension. He motioned us to the back of the security station where the cameras and tapes were kept.
    “They’re on a twenty-four hour cycle, sorry to say.” He shook his head, the few white hairs peeking out from under the pseudo-military cap. “So there won’t be anything if it happened more than a day ago.”
    “You didn’t see anyone?” Bran frowned. “Not like you, Dan.”
    The salt-and-pepper moustache bristled at the admonishment. “I didn’t miss anything. No one gets in here on my shift.” He wagged a finger at the ledger sitting atop the polished counter. “They all sign in and sign out. I don’t let anyone just wander in here.” He pulled the ledger around to face him before flipping through the pages. “You haven’t had any deliveries in weeks, Mr. Hanover, other than food services.”
    “I believe you.” Dan broadcast respect and authority, reminding me of Jess. Men like this didn’t lie. “We were just wondering how this fellow walked in and out like that.”
    Bran looked at me, a confused expression on his face. “How do you know it’s a guy? Why not a girl?”
    Because I could tell by the scent. “I guess I just make the assumption ’cause it’s likely a guy did the killing.” I shrugged. “Consider it a generic term, then.”
    He turned back to Dan. “No offense meant. We were just concerned.”
    “As you should be.” The thick Scottish accent grew more and more noticeable with each syllable. “I’ll tell the other fellas to sharpen up their act or they’ll be outta here.” He jerked a thumb toward the street to make his point. “That’ll