Read Online Monroe, Melody S. - Verdict (Siren Publishing Classic) by Melody S. Monroe - Free Book Online

doctor you were under FBI protection, and he offered a hospital security guard to stand watch.”
    “That was nice of you to ask.” The added personnel would allow her to sleep better.
    “I was hoping you’d see it that way.” He pushed back on the chair and stood. “Now that the guard has arrived, I’m going down to the hospital cafeteria. I won’t be long.”
    “Do you have to leave?” She hadn’t meant for her plea to slip out.
    “I can stay a few minutes. You want to talk about what happened?”
    “The house caught on fire, that’s what happened.” If she got into a discussion about who-dun-it, Peter’s name might surface, and she wasn’t sure anymore that he was guilty.
    As an attorney, she never budged from her convictions and always fought for what she wanted. But what if she were wrong this time? Were principles more important than her life? Her dad claimed they were, but look where that got him—dead.
    “We’ll discuss it another time.”
    “Sure.” Her stomach grumbled. “I’m starving, and these people won’t give me anything until the doctor gives some nebulous all-clear order. Can you sneak in something good to eat for me? I’d kill for a juicy hamburger.”

    * * * *

    Stone had just stepped outside the hospital to find the world’s best hamburger when his cell vibrated. “Christ.” He didn’t need any more bad news. It was his boss. “Watson.” He crossed the street to his parked car.
    “It’s Thomason. How is Susan doing? Loving the warm weather, I suspect.” Part of his job was to check up on those in hiding.
    “You didn’t hear? Someone set the town house on fire. I barely got her out on time.” A car’s brakes squealed, forcing him to jump to the sidewalk. He better get his head back in the game or Susan would be left without a bodyguard.
    “Holy shit. Is she okay? Are you?” Richard’s voice rose.
    “We’re at the hospital now. No burns, just smoke inhalation. I’m good, but I’m worried about Susan, or rather Taylor, given her previous injuries.”
    “She has been through so much. Do we have any idea who did this?” Stone could imagine Richard pacing, tugging on his perfectly knotted tie, rearranging the items on his desk.
    “Fire Marshal is working it.”
    “Christ. We don’t need this. I’ll get right on finding you a new place. Obviously, he’s found you.”
    Stone reached his car and got in. He waited to start the engine until their conversation ended. “At least we know it’s not Peter Caravello. I heard he was in jail.”
    Thomason didn’t answer for a moment. “Who told you?”
    Shit. He wasn’t supposed to let on he knew. “Don’t remember.”
    He turned the key in order to lower the windows. He needed air, pissed he’d nearly mentioned the information Tom told him. Tom was not usually privy to the FBI information, yet somehow the guy knew everything.
    “Caravello could have pulled the strings from the inside,” Richard said.
    Richard used Susan’s logic. Relieved he didn’t press where his knowledge came from, Stone relaxed in the seat. “Perhaps.” He didn’t want to be discussing his theory about Peter’s lack of guilt with the Head of Security. “I’ll take you up on your offer to move as our town house is basically gone.” He chuckled, though only for effect. Stepping into another “safe” house was one step from stupid.
    “Good, but I’m afraid I had another reason for calling.” The deadly low tone meant the news wasn’t good.
    “What?” He gripped the wheel tight and sat up straight, scanning the parking lot to check if anyone had followed them to the hospital. It didn’t take a high IQ to guess they’d come here.
    “Juror number six was killed.”
    He slapped a hand on the steering wheel. “When?”
    “Sometime before midnight.”
    “How?” Sweat beaded his chest.
    Papers rustled in the background and phones rang. Richard must be moving across the office. “Gunshot to the head.”
    Damn. A different MO