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the address of the hotel where she was staying.
    Cochrane started up the car and put it in Drive. “I have so many consarned things ahead of a dead body to deal with.”
    â€œFamily obligations?” Ellen guessed, softening her tone. Her heart was settling down now, most of the pain dissolved. Part of it was due to Jim’s care of her. Despite his growly initial response, she realized he was a man who cared. Hope burned bright in her and she relaxed for the first time since they’d met.
    Cochrane’s mouth flattened as he drove the car out of the condo area and back onto a main street. “Hill folk are taught to take care of their families.” He slanted her a quick glance. “A family for us is knit tighter than a pair of crochet needles. This splitting of the blanket is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. My folks are still het up about the divorce. They love Merry, too. We visited them every year, so they got to see her growingup. Now—” his mouth turned down “—now it’s going to be next to impossible to take Merry back to see them, what with the judgment handed down by the local court.”
    She nodded. “I imagine, coming from hill folk, you’re one of the few in your family who’s gone on to a professional career?”
    Cochrane laughed bitterly. “Yeah, I reckon in one way I’m the apple of my family’s eye, becoming an attorney. I’m the only one of my generation to leave the hills and go ‘outside,’ try for a brass ring other than becoming a wood carver making walnut bowls for the tourists, a farmer or coal miner.”
    â€œIt’s nice to see a man close to his family,” Ellen said, folding her hands in her lap.
    â€œI think what split my wife and I up was my long hours. Sometimes I wouldn’t get home until midnight or later. Jodi got crossed-patched about spending evenings alone, and I tried to tell her that with my caseload, I couldn’t just drop work and run home to her and Merry.”
    â€œYou strike me as someone who cares deeply about his cases. You aren’t about to do a sham job on one.”
    â€œThat’s right,” he said grimly. “Jodi just wouldn’t bend. I told her that when I made lieutenant commander rank, my load would ease and we’d have more time together.”
    â€œWhen do you get that rank?”
    â€œI should be up for early consideration in about ayear, but I’ve been out of sorts and it’s reduced my chances. In fact, going through this divorce could about put the last nail in my coffin—for good.”
    â€œYou’re not as hard or tough as you’d like people to think you are.”
    He glanced at her, a slight smile lurking at the corners of his mouth. “Keep it a secret, will you?”
    Ellen smiled in return. “I will.”
    â€œYou’re still looking a little peaked. How’s the stomach doing?”
    â€œStill a bit upset. I keep thinking about Susan, about the awful shock it will be to her family.”
    â€œYou had a right to feel that way,” Cochrane said, pulling up to the Embassy Suites. He stopped the car at the entrance.
    Ellen managed a weak smile and climbed out. “Thanks for the lift. I’ve got a rental car coming tomorrow morning and I’ll have my own wheels.”
    â€œSee you at 0800 hours.”
    She threw him a mock salute. “Yes, sir.” What she wanted to do was throw her arms around him and thank him for his compassion. Seeing the smile in his eyes, that glint of humor, Ellen suddenly longed for Jim to stay. She’d like to spend time just talking and getting to know him better. After all, he’d salved her wounds at the condo. Maybe she could be a good friend to him in return.

CHAPTER FOUR
    â€œM R . C OCHRANE , come in for a minute,” Commander Dornier called, waving from his office doorway.
    Jim scowled inwardly but kept his expression