Read Online COLLATERAL CASUALTIES (The Kate Huntington mystery series) by Kassandra Lamb - Free Book Online Page A

After a beat, Rob said, “Okay, see you then.”
                At noon, Kate drove around for fifteen minutes, one eye glued to her rearview mirror, before heading for Rob’s office.
                Once settled in his visitor’s chair, she opened her mouth. A sob came out instead of words, surprising both of them. Rob jumped up and moved around his desk. She waved him off as she struggled for control.
                “My God, Kate, what’s happened?”
                “My client’s dead.”
                Rob muttered a curse under his breath. He perched on the corner of his desk while she told him about the obituary, her discussions with Jill Dawson, and the visit from the swarthy gentleman who was no doubt the mystery ambassador of Miller’s story.
                “Why didn’t you call me sooner?” Rob said gently as she wound down.
                “I was afraid to. I had Mac sweep my office and car for bugs last night. He’s going through the house today while Skip’s at work. And I drove around for awhile to make sure I wasn’t being followed before coming here. I’m terrified that I’m going to give these thugs, whoever they are, reason to believe I’ve told someone something and they’ll kill somebody I love.”
                Rob reached over and took her hand. “I’d like to say that you’re over-reacting, but I’m not sure that’s true. So you told Mac what’s going on?”
                “No, although maybe I should. He’s hinted about being involved in secret operations, back when he was a Green Beret.”
                “I’d feel a lot better if somebody who knew how all this works was looking out for you,” Rob said.
                He let go of her hand and reached into a brown paper bag. Pulling out a wrapped sandwich, he tried to hand it to her.
                The thought of eating made Kate nauseous. She shook her head. He put it down on the desk in front of her.
                “I don’t know what to do. Anybody I tell, I’m putting them in danger. I’ve already put you in danger.”
                “It’s not about who you tell,” Rob said. “It’s about who these people perceive that you’ve told. I can call Mac now. If he’s free, he can come here. He’ll just be another client coming into a busy law firm.”
                Luck was with them. Mac was available and said he would be right over.
                Rob nudged her sandwich.
                Kate slumped back in her chair. “I can’t eat. I’m afraid I’ll get sick all over your carpet. As a matter of fact, I think I need to cancel my afternoon sessions. Nobody’s in crisis at the moment, and I know I won’t be able to concentrate. I have no clue what I said to my clients this morning but I seriously doubt they got their money’s worth.” She dug her appointment book out of her briefcase and made calls while they waited for Mac.
                Fran ushered in the short, wiry man, who as usual looked like he’d slept in his clothes. He was not alone. His fiancé, neatly dressed in a crisp white shirt and khaki slacks, followed him in.
                “Things are a little slow today,” Rose said. “Thought I’d tag along.” She tilted her head toward the door. “I’ll sit out there and shoot the breeze with Fran, if you want.”
                Kate hesitated.
                “No one knows they’re here to see you,” Rob reminded her.
                “Yeah, but there’s the whole client confidentiality thing.”
                “Do you really think your client would care about that now?” Rob said. “He’d want you to do what you need to do to stay safe.”
                Kate heaved a sigh. Miller had specifically said she shouldn’t tell anyone, even if he was killed, but