Read Online Vanished (Private Justice Book #1): A Novel by Irene Hannon - Free Book Online Page B

pro bono.
    Moira’s hesitation told him she’d come to the sameconclusion. “Are you sure? I’ve already taken up a lot of your time, and you haven’t charged me a dime.”
    “This is off the clock. I’d be stopping for coffee with or without your company.” That was true—although the stop would more likely be at a QuikTrip rather than Starbucks.
    No matter. It worked.
    “Okay. I’m leaving the parking lot now. I think I can be there in less than ten minutes.”
    “I’m even closer. I’ll grab a table. See you soon.”
    He tossed the phone onto the seat beside him, made the final entry of the day in his surveillance log, and exited the lot.
    Maybe it was a good thing her file was still on his desk after all.

    Twelve minutes later, he spotted her through the window as she came up the steps to the Starbucks entrance.
    Dev was right.
    Moira Harrison was hot.
    The setting sun caught the red in her hair, turning it to copper, and her fashionably short slim black skirt and dress heels showed off a pair of killer legs. The fitted, short-sleeved green-and-black plaid jacket that hinted at her appealing curves wasn’t too shabby, either.
    His adrenaline spiked, and he took a sip of coffee. Steady, Burke . Remember, she’s a client—and you’re not in the market .
    When she pushed through the door, he stood.
    She spotted him at once, eyeing his disposable cup with dismay as she wove through the tables to join him in the far corner.
    “I was going to get your coffee.”
    The very reason he’d bought it before she arrived.
    “I needed a caffeine boost after surveillance duty.” He thought about offering to buy her drink too, but before hecould decide whether that was smart or not, she headed to the counter, tossing a comment over her shoulder.
    “Give me a sec.”
    He sat again as she placed her order, his back-to-the-wall seat giving him an excellent view of those amazing legs—and the interior of the coffee shop. An unnecessary precaution today, but old detective habits died hard. Especially ones that had saved his hide on more than one occasion.
    When she turned to rejoin him, she was juggling both a disposable cup and a plate.
    He rose as she approached to pull out her chair, and the courtesy seemed to surprise her.
    “Thanks.” She slid into the seat, placing her drink and plate on the table. “I don’t run into such polished manners very often. Your mother must have raised you well.”
    “She did. And my older sister finished the job after Mom died.”
    “Were you young when you lost her?”
    “Young enough. Fourteen.”
    Her features softened in sympathy. “I’m sorry. That had to be tough.”
    “It was. But I had good memories. That helped.”
    “There’s a lot to be said for good memories.” She broke the scone in half. “Have you had dinner?”
    “Not yet, but I’ve been munching on carrot sticks.”
    She wrinkled her nose. “Healthy, but not very filling.”
    “Better than chips for surveillance, though. High-carb stuff makes me sleepy, and nodding off is a no-no.”
    “Makes sense.” She slid the plate his direction, placing half of the scone on a napkin in front of her. “It’s not much, but it might tide you over until you can get a more substantial meal.”
    “I can’t take your food.”
    “Yes, you can. After all the macaroni and cheese I’ve been subsisting on since I got my car repair bill, I don’t need a whole scone. Too many calories.”
    Given her trim figure, he doubted she had to worry. But when his stomach rumbled in anticipation, he capitulated.
    “Thanks.” He picked up the scone and took a big bite. “Much better than carrot sticks.”
    “I’m sorry again for interrupting. It sounded like things were hopping when I called.”
    “Yeah. All three of us are working the case, but I’m off the hook for the evening. Dev and Connor got night duty.”
    “Three PIs on one case.” She broke off another piece of her scone. “Is that typical?”
    “No. But the