Read Online Finger Prints by Barbara Delinsky - Free Book Online

half in jest, “sex isn’t everything. There are those of us, Sam Loomis—”
    “Uh-huh,” he cut her off with a smile, unable to resist teasing her for a minute. “You don’t have to rationalize, Jennifer. I’m not about to pass judgment on you. If you’re tired of being a sex object, that’s your problem. If you’re swearing off men—”
    “Now, did I say that? I know that it’s against the rules for you to tell me why you’re asking all these questions, but I’ll tell you this. If you’re planning on taking Ryan Cornell into custody and need a playmate for him, I’ll volunteer.”
    “He turns you on?”
    “In many ways. He’s a real nice guy.”
    Sam smiled, feeling more relieved by the minute. “And that’s your final word?”
    “It is.”
    “Go back to sleep.”
    “You bet. Take care.”
    His smile lingered as he hung up the phone. Jennifer Blayne was a sweetheart; Ryan Cornell could do much worse. But the issue wasn’t Ryan and Jennifer, was it? It was Ryan and Carly. Grabbing the receiver once more, he stabbed at the buttons.
    “Greg?”
    “Yeah. Good timing. I just got through talking with Mertz.”
    “State committee?”
    “Yeah.”
    “What’ve you got?”
    Greg Reilly proceeded to give him a skeletal dossier on Ryan MacKenzie Cornell. By the time he’d finished, Sam was satisfied. “Thanks, Greg.” The genuine warmth in his tone said far more.
    “No problem,” Greg said, feeling eminently pleased. “Anything else?”
    “Yeah. Have a good weekend.”
    “You mean you’re calling it quits?” he teased gently. “Hell, Sam, it’s only ten-thirty. I know you’ve been working since eight this morning, but—”
    “Aw, shut up.” Sam chuckled, deciding that the kid had his moments. “See ya.” He pushed the disconnect button, then punched out a final call.
    The jangle of the phone beside her gave Carly a jolt. Accidentally stabbing herself, she swore softly and whipped the injured finger to her mouth. Then she looked at her watch. She had no more idea who would be calling her at this hour than she’d earlier known who was at the door.
    She took a deep breath before reaching for the phone. “Hello?” she asked, sounding miraculously, deceptively calm.
    “It’s me, Carly.”
    “Sam?” She exhaled. “You frightened me!” In truth, she’d frightened herself. It happened every time she let her thoughts run along the line they had.
    “Nothing to be frightened of. That’s why I’m calling.”
    “You’re not home already, are you?” She knew that he lived on the North Shore, a good forty minutes’ drive from her place.
    “I’m in town.”
    “In town? Poor Ellen! In town ?”
    “At the office. I wanted to make another call or two about your neighbor.”
    Carly sat straighter. Strange how she’d been thinking of him too. “You were worried?”
    “Not worried,” Sam lied, knowing it was for the best. “Curious. From what I’ve been told though, he’s clear.”
    “What were you told?”
    “That the guy’s straight as an arrow. Graduated Harvard Law and has been practising here ever since. He’s in his own firm—Miller and Cornell—with three other partners and some six or seven associates. He started out handling most anything that could take him into court, but he’s been able to grow more selective. Does a lot of white-collar-crime work. Won’t touch the mob with a ten-foot pole. And he’s doing very well. Not much cause to suspect he’s resort to shady dealings in smoking out Robyn Hart.”
    A wave of relief swept over her, leaving her feeling strangely light-headed. “No, I don’t suppose so. Well, then, if he comes up asking to use the phone again, I should let him in?”
    “Would you let another of your neighbors in?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then I don’t see any problem. The guys here will do a more thorough check, and I’ll let you know if I come up with anything. But the references were good from three sources just now. I doubt there’ll be