Read Online Passion's Law by Ruth Langan - Free Book Online Page A

interrogating a witness. Even while he was sleeping. Especially then. She seemed always to be tiptoeing across his heart.
    â€œHow’s the investigation coming along?”
    Thad shrugged. “About the same as before.” He refused the chair Joe indicated, choosing instead to stand as he gave Joe one of those measuring looks. “You’ve made your share of enemies, Joe.”
    â€œYou mean the list has grown longer? Whose name have you added now?”
    Thad glanced at Heather, then back to Joe. “Nobody new. Just the same old names. But it isn’t easy checking out every one of them.” He cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. “But I wonder if your wife would be willing to sit down and talk with me about some of your mutual friends.”
    Joe met the detective’s steady look. “Meredith’s gone out of town for a couple of days. But when she returns you can try to arrange it.”
    Before Thad could respond, Joe was quick to add, “I’m not saying she’ll agree, you understand. My wife is free to make her own decisions about this.”
    Thad nodded. “Okay. I understand. I’ll call in a couple of days and talk to her.”
    Joe studied the tight line of Thad’s mouth. “Do you suspect one of our guests?”
    â€œEverybody’s a suspect, Joe. You know that. I keep going over the whereabouts of every guest at the time the shot was fired. And now I’m trying to tie a suspect from the first shooting to this latest one.”
    â€œSo you think one of our guests slipped away and fired that first shot?”
    Thad shook his head. “I didn’t say that. But there are only two theories. Either it was a guest with a grudge, or it was a hired assassin. Either way, until the shooter is found, you’re not out of the woods.”
    As he turned away Joe called, “Is that all you came here for?”
    Thad turned back. “Yeah. I thought I’d take a chance on catching your wife. And I wanted you to know how the investigation is going.”
    â€œThen, since you have a little time anyway, why not stay for dinner?”
    Even as the detective was shaking his head, Joe was getting to his feet. “Heather and I have been cooped up for days doing nothing but paperwork. I’ll bet you’ve been doing the same.”
    â€œI have but—”
    Joe held up a hand to stop him. “Okay, then. It’s time to relax. Which do you prefer? Riding or a cold beer in the courtyard?”
    Thad laughed. “Personally a cold beer sounds best to me.”
    â€œYou’re on.” Joe turned to Heather. “That sound you hear is the five o’clock whistle, young lady. You have one minute to shut down your computer and join Thad and me out in the courtyard.”
    â€œYes, sir.” With a laugh Heather inserted a disk and began to back up her work.
    Minutes later she found Joe and Thad already seated by the fountain, drinking beer.
    Joe looked up. “What’ll you have, sweetheart?”
    â€œThe same as you.”
    Thad watched as she settled herself on a chaise across from him. She tucked her feet under her as she accepted a frosty mug from her uncle.
    As Joe turned away, Thad said softly, “I figured you for the champagne and cavier type.”
    â€œI can be, when the situation calls for it. But there are times when nothing tastes better than a cold beer.” She smiled at her uncle. “Especially after the work we managed to accomplish today.”
    Joe winked at her as he chose a cushioned chair. “You’ve turned out an amazing amount of work since you got here. I think if you stay long enough, you just might dig me out from under that mountain that’s had me buried.”
    She gave a nod of acknowledgment. “My pleasure, sir. That’s what I’m here for.”
    Joe turned to Thad. “See why I love her?”
    Thad ducked his head and sipped his beer.