Read Online Written In Blood by Shelia Lowe - Free Book Online Page A

hope the judge saw through Nicholson’s BS.”
    “How does someone like that get to testify as an expert? He came off as a total phony.”
    “The sad truth is, Andy’s been challenged before, but he’s gotten away with inflating his credentials for years.”
    “But how ?”
    “There’s no state or federal licensing of handwriting experts, which means there are no controls. If the opposing attorney doesn’t check out his claims and bring written proof to the judge that he’s perjured himself, or else get him to admit he’s lied, like Stuart did today, an Andy Nicholson can keep on testifying and get away with it.”
    “But that’s against the law.”
    Claudia’s lips twisted into a cynical smile. “Yes, it is. And it happens all the time.”
    “That’s downright frightening,” Paige said, crossing her slim legs as a pair of good-looking suits passed close to their table. Although the movement was subtle, Claudia caught the slight motion of her skirt as it twitched upward just a touch. One of the suits turned and gave her an appreciative second glance.
    Claudia speculated that flirting was probably second nature to her. Maybe Torg had reason to be jealous.
    The waitress flew by, tossed a couple of cocktail napkins on the table, and left their drinks. Paige raised her glass to Claudia. “You were awesome today,” she said.
    Claudia smiled and bumped Paige’s glass with her own. “May the truth win.”
    Paige echoed her words and swallowed some of her drink. She put the glass on the table and leaned down to take a pack of unopened Virginia Slims from her pocketbook.
    “I didn’t know you smoked,” Claudia said in surprise as she watched her companion peel away the plastic wrap and crumple it on the table.
    “I don’t anymore,” Paige said. She tapped a cigarette from the pack and put it between her lips, leaving it unlit. “But times like these make me feel like starting up again. This lawsuit is making me twitchy.”
    “Court can do that to you.”
    Paige grabbed the cigarette from her mouth and broke it in half. “Dammit, I wish Torg had told me about what he was going to do. At least I would have been prepared.”
    “How long were you married?”
    “We met three years ago in Clovis, up in the Central Valley. Ever hear of it?”
    Claudia didn’t mind admitting that she had not. The vodka felt like velvet caressing her throat as she began to unwind.
    Paige gave her a lopsided smile. “I didn’t think you would. I grew up in a trailer park there. It was the kind of town where they rolled up the sidewalks at eight o’clock, and the trailer park was definitely on the wrong side of the tracks. It’s different now that it’s merged with Fresno. They’re both booming.
    “Anyway, there I was, teaching kindergarten and going crazy from boredom. I wanted more out of life, you know what I mean? I thought I deserved more.” She stared at the broken cigarette that was still in her hands. “Be careful what you wish for.”
    “So how did you meet Torg?”
    “He owned a truck dealership in town. Some of the dealers got together and decided to hold a beauty contest. To tell the truth, it was more of a wet T-shirt contest. They were looking to bring in some business. First prize was a thousand bucks and a trip to L.A. I’d have done just about anything to get away. So I entered.”
    “Don’t tell me—you won.”
    “I sure did. Torg was one of the judges in the contest. So I won and I came to L.A. and he hosted the weekend. Took me to Spago, clubbing at the best spots.”
    “I guess he must have been in good shape.”
    Paige nodded. “He took good care of himself. He was handsome, a real charmer—Hugh Grant type, you know, but older.”
    “Maybe more like Cary Grant.”
    “Oh yeah,” Paige agreed. “Cary Grant. After a couple of dates he said he was in love with me, that he wanted me in his life. I was attracted to him, too, of course.”
    Watching her closely, Claudia wondered how much the