Read Online The Last Execution by Jerrie Alexander - Free Book Online Page A

“You’re anything but old.”
    “I’ll be fifty-five soon.” Her cheeks flushed at his comment. “I’m glad your leg is better.”
    She’d supplied her own explanation about his labored walk at work. “Yeah. Better each day.”
    Instead of leaving, he kicked his legs out in front of him and joined her in a stretch.

Chapter Six
    Tuesday, April 27, 1:30 p.m.
    To call Leigh’s behavior restrained during the update meeting and on the ride to the lab would’ve been the understatement of the century. J.T. didn’t question her. If she had problems with family law, he intended to stay out of it. Past experience had taught him family troubles meant somebody got hurt.
    He drove around to the back lot and parked, still respecting her silence. When he turned the ignition off, she caught his hand in hers and rubbed her thumb across his slightly swollen knuckles. Flames licked up his arm.
    “Did you apply a cold compress to this?” She tightened her grip when he tried to pull away.
    “No. The pusher needed the ice.”
    “Pusher? You made a drug arrest last night?” She perked up with the question.
    “No. I helped the locals stop a runner.” J.T. seriously needed his hand back, and she seriously needed to stop rubbing. Warm and soft, her touch sent those flames from his arm straight to his dick.
    Shit.
    He didn’t need to see the hint of vulnerability behind her blue eyes today. Or ever. He was a pushover for women with problems. Add the fact she had trouble brewing, and you might as well tattoo the word “sucker” across his—
    She pressed a finger on a particularly sore knuckle. “Ow.”
    “Where’d you go?”
    “Sorry.” His brain scrambled. “We better get inside.” Thank God, she released his hand.
    The autopsy wasn’t scheduled until tomorrow. J.T. wanted to check on the condition of the bullet right away. They signed in, picked up their visitor’s tags, and started back to the lab. Their interview with Faith Sanders last night still bothered him.
    “Why do you think Mrs. Sanders lied to us about the abuse?”
    “She’s ashamed. Doesn’t want anyone to know her husband was capable of doing such despicable things.”
    “The guy’s dead. He can’t hurt her anymore.” J.T. didn’t get the reasoning. “Why not tell the truth?”
    “The bastard beat the hell out of her. That shit’s demoralizing enough without other people knowing.” Leigh’s eyes instantly fired laser blue flames. “Would you tell if you were her?”
    “Hell, I don’t know.” J.T. stepped back at her intense anger. “Don’t ask me. I’m a guy.”
    “Exactly. There’s no way you’d understand.” She spit the words at him. “Denial is common in abused women. When you trust someone and they hurt you mentally or physically, the shame and embarrassment can be overwhelming. It’s a huge obstacle to overcome. The bastard probably tried to convince her the beatings were all her fault. These women are made to feel they’re lacking or unworthy. Mental torture can be as damaging as physical.”
    J.T. ignored the urge to tell her to back off. He wasn’t sure who they were talking about anymore. Her tirade ended when she whirled and stormed into the women’s restroom, leaving him with his jaw hanging and a bunch of frickin’ questions running through his mind. Like where the hell did the anger come from?
    She’d been different since her meeting with the attorney. Withdrawn, angry, and defensive. The heat from her fury hadn’t been aimed directly at him, but he was tempted to check for blisters.
    J.T. blew out a sigh of relief at not having to deal with another of her outbursts when she and Willem Heintz showed up at the same time. He’d swear that somewhere, somehow, abuse had touched her. She’d added a whole new layer of mystery to her persona.
    He couldn’t question her ability to separate her personal and professional feelings, because lately, he’d done a piss-poor job of keeping his own shit straight.
    Willem