Read Online Death Vetoes The Chairman (Lizzie Crenshaw Mysteries Book 7) by Teresa Watson - Free Book Online Page B

her a treat, poured the food into their outdoor dishes, got them some fresh water, then went and sat next to Babe under the tree. Mittens brought her tennis ball to me, and I threw it for her until she got tired. She ate some food, drank a bunch of water, then wandered over and plopped down next to me, putting her head on my leg. Taking a deep breath, I leaned back against the tree. I shouldn’t have yelled at T.J. like I did. It wasn’t his fault. Well, maybe a little, but this was a whole new situation for me, and it was a lot to take in all at once.
    And then there was Ethan Winthrop. Just thinking about what happened this morning made me physically sick. Had it really just been a few hours ago? It all seems like a blur. What made men like him think that money and power gave them the right to do whatever they wanted? I thought about what Dr. Adams said, about fighting back. It just seemed like a natural instinct. I was lucky. What about the women who weren’t so lucky? How did they cope? What kind of safeguards were in place to protect them when they needed help? Who stood up for them when they were too tired to fight anymore?
    T.J. came outside and stood on the deck. “Are you still mad at me?” he said as Mittens ran over to him.
    “I don’t think I was really mad at you, per se,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s been a rough day.”
    He nodded. “May I come sit with you?”
    “Sure.”
    He walked over and sat down next to me. “Do the bruises hurt much?”
    “Some. Dr. Adams gave me something for the pain along with the anti-inflammatory I mentioned before. I’ll live. I’m a bit ambidextrous already, although I can’t write with my left hand worth squat.” I reached into my back pocket, pulled out the card and handed it him. “He also gave me this.”
    He took the card from me. “I’m familiar with this group. They do good work.”
    “He wants me to go, talk to them about what happened, and how I fought back. He said it might help someone else.”
    “Sounds like a good idea. What do you think?”
    I shook my head. “I can’t see myself talking to a group about this. It’s not something I really want to relive at the moment.”
    “You don’t have to do it right now, but it might be something to think about down the road.”
    “But I’m not a victim, T.J. It’s not like he…well, you know.”
    He gently took my right hand and held it. “This bruise isn’t here because you tripped over a slab of concrete, Lizzie.” He put my hand down and pulled up the sleeve of my shirt. “And these aren’t here because your shirt’s too tight. Someone physically attacked you, and we both know his intentions were less than honorable. That’s assault, Lizzie, and whether you like it or not, that makes you a victim.”
    Well, that was calling a spade a spade, wasn’t it?

Chapter 9
    Thanks to a full moon, the backyard was well lit. If it had been dark, T.J. would have shot Jake and his lawyer, Stephen Henderson, when they came in through the side gate. “What are you two doing back here?” Jake asked. Mittens ran circles around him, then went over and sniffed Henderson’s shoes. When he didn’t bend over and pet her, she came over and sat next to T.J.
    “Just sitting,” I replied. “Good to see you again, Mr. Henderson.”
    “Ms. Crenshaw, I’m sorry we are meeting again under these circumstances.”
    “I’m not sure anyone has ever met a lawyer under the right circumstances.”
    He laughed. “Very true.”
    “Why don’t we go inside where we can talk?” Jake said. “I don’t think Stephen wants to sit on the ground in his suit.”
    “Help me up.” I held out my left hand, and he pulled me to my feet, and then pulled T.J. up as well. I gave the dogs their last of the treats.
    “Got anything for the humans to eat?” Jake replied.
    “There’s some chips, salsa and queso left from supper,” T.J. offered.
    “Any sopapillas?” T.J. nodded. “Good, I’m hungry.”
    My kitchen