Read Online Suspicion of Madness by Barbara Parker - Free Book Online Page A

 
    "Mr. Quintana." His mouth twisted as he held back a sob. "I'm really glad you're here."
     
     

 
    6
     
     
    The Buttonwood Inn was one of Holtz and Lindeman's biggest clients. Calling ahead from her boat, Lois Greenwald had felt no hesitation in asking to see Mr. Lindeman immediately. He took her into his office and shut the door—such a masculine office, wood and leather, a big desk, neat rows of law books on the shelves. There were two chairs at right angles in a corner. Douglas sat with one leg over the arm of his chair, foot slowly swinging. Deck shoes, no socks. Navy pants. Yellow knit shirt, open collar, gold chain shining on his neck. Lois had been making a mental inventory as they talked.
    She said, "I think Billy's so-called alibi is a crock of bull. He wanted Sandra, I could see it written all over him, but she wouldn't give him the time of day, and the frustration drove him wild, a boy his age, you know how they are, so oversexed and violent. Even if they arrest him, they won't convict him. We'll give Anthony Quintana our last drop of blood, and Billy will walk. Again."
    Doug's brow furrowed. "So... how long do you want me to wait?"
    "Let's say until the police are no longer interested in Billy."
    Doug shifted in the chair, dropping his foot to the floor. "Come on, Lo. That could take weeks. What's going to happen to Aunt Joan in the meantime? I'm worried about her."
    "She's in no danger of starving to death. She's not going to hurt herself." Lois touched Doug's arm and felt the springy blond hairs under her fingertips. "I need your help. Someone from Condé Nast Traveler will be here next weekend to write an article. If you file the guardianship, and if we lose Joan as an alibi witness for Billy, I might as well board up the hotel right now."
    He rolled his head toward her on the back of the chair, and she could almost make out a smile on his lips. "Don't you think you're overstating this just a tad?"
    She held his gaze for several seconds. "How much do I ever ask of you, Douglas? I was the one who persuaded Martin to retain this law firm, when there are a dozen with more clout, and the first time I come to you with a real problem, you make excuses. How about a little appreciation? You told me we have a special relationship. Is that true or isn't it?"
    He scooted down further in the chair, frowning, nibbling on his thumbnail. A big man, six-foot-two. Big hands and feet and long legs. His thighs were curves of hard muscle. He sat with his knees apart, displaying himself, and Lois wondered if this was a sign. He had said he cared for her, but so far he hadn't done much to make her believe it. Douglas was seven years younger, but age didn't matter when two people were fated to be together.
    They had known each other since childhood. She had dated his older cousin, Teddy, in high school. Lois had noticed, even then, that Doug was beautiful. Gold-streaked hair, blond eyelashes, green eyes. Freckles on his face. He was thirty-six years old, and he still had freckles. His lips were round and pink and shiny. Lois would dream of his mouth on her body, and she would wake up, the sensations were that real. Doug knew how she felt about him, but he said he needed time. He was still getting over the death of a woman from Miami he'd been in love with since law school. Jennifer. She had died in a car crash three years ago. Doug wouldn't give her last name, though. He wouldn't talk about her. He said it hurt too much. And yet he kept a framed picture of this Jennifer person on his desk, which annoyed Lois greatly.
    Stretching, Doug extended his arms. Muscles rippled. He locked his hands behind his neck. Lois had seen him in a swimsuit. He had blond hair on his chest, and his nipples were pink and shiny, like his mouth. He said, "I might wait to file the papers if you do something for me. Testify at the guardianship hearing."
    "I don't want to do that," Lois said.
    "Because?"
    "It would look bad. The judge would say I was