Read Online Promise Her by Mitzi Pool Bridges - Free Book Online

upset and worried, Lisa.” That was putting it mildly; they were hounding him to get this over with. Now.
    “You spent ten bucks on coffee to tell me that?”
    Brilliant move. His mouth grew dry as he struggled to think of why he wanted to see her this morning. “They don’t want you to get hurt.”
    Her brow wrinkled. “Hurt? The only way I’ll get hurt is if this goes any further. I’ve told everyone who will listen that Harold’s behind this. But I’m being ignored.”
    “Not by everyone.” He paused. “Some think you’re out to get Harold Wheatley.”
    “For what reason?” Her voice raised a couple of notches. “That makes me look more guilty!”
    He took her clenched hand, turned it over, smoothed out her fingers and fought the temptation to bring her perfectly manicured fingers to his lips in a manner that wouldn’t be deemed brotherly. “You couldn’t hurt anyone, Lisa. Anyone who knows you knows that.”
    She eased her hand from his.
    “Are you telling me in your nice, friendly way that HPD is going to continue looking in my direction?”
    He took a sip of coffee to give himself time to get his feelings and his thoughts under control. “Looks that way. Darin says he’s talked to the police chief this morning. Because of your connection to the Callahans, they’re not listening to him.”
    “How stupid is that? They’re letting Harold get away with murder.”
    “I wish I knew the problem. But they tell me there’s no evidence that points to him.”
    “What about Tempest’s trust and the missing money?”
    “They say that every withdrawal has her signature, that she withdrew the money herself.” He leaned across the table, looked into those deep blue eyes. “Lisa, could Tempest have lied to you?”
    “No. And I can’t believe you asked. Do you think I don’t know my job? I can read people better than that. Can’t you tell when a client is lying to you?” She paused a minute. “Are you sure the signatures aren’t forged?”
    “I’m sure. Tempest came in and made the withdrawals herself. At least that’s the story.”
    Lisa shook her head. “I don’t believe it. Not for a minute. If she made the withdrawals herself it would be too easy to prove.”
    Douglas shrugged. “Maybe she had some kind of agenda you knew nothing about.”
    Lisa wasn’t buying it. She may not have known Tempest long, but she was a good judge of character. Tempest hadn’t lied, at least not to her. “Tempest told me everything she knew. Is there any way you can get a copy of the withdrawals? If the cops won’t do their jobs, then we’ll do it for them. I’ll mention it to Max. He has Bernie working almost full time on this. If anyone can get their hands on information, he can.”
    “Yeah. I know Bernie’s reputation,” Douglas said.
    I’m the trained investigator. I’ll spend every minute of every day on the computer to get what I need.
    She looked over at Douglas, felt that familiar wave of longing wash over her. He was more handsome than usual this morning. Instead of his lawyer suit and tie, he wore a pair of tan slacks and matching jacket, a cream-colored golf shirt and boots. His green eyes glowed with purpose.
    The Callahans had rallied around her. And she was grateful. Except she wanted more than a brother’s concern from Douglas. But Douglas treated her with the same affection he gave his sister.
    “I’ll lose my job if this continues,” she said.
    “Max would never fire you.”
    “Max would have no choice. Every employee has to pass a barrage of tests, including a background check. How could AAF keep clients if I stay on the payroll while I’m charged with Tempest’s murder?”
    His face paled.
    Was he thinking about her losing her job? Or about how this would affect his real sister’s fledgling company? She blinked away tears. She’d have to quit. She refused to do anything that would endanger TJ, Max, or the company.
    “I won’t let it get that far, Lisa. You have to trust