Free Deadly Valentine by Jenna Harte

had represented people Daniel had arrested. But this time it was different. It was personal, because it involved Daniel's family and Jack, someone she had a history with.
    “In that case, I'll add your information to the report. I'm sure you'll be contacted for more information when the lead detective is assigned.”
    Daniel and Sam wrapped up the meeting and left.
    Tess reclined on her couch feeling exhausted and little troubled by the interaction with Daniel. While she didn't love him, he and his parents were important to her; like family. It was unsettling to be in a position that would put her in opposition to him.
    “That wasn't too bad.”  It sounded like a question more than a statement.
    “It could have been worse,” she said.
    “Can I get you anything?”
    “I just want to rest.”
    “Let me help you back to bed and then I'll run home and change.”
    “I'm fine here.” She didn't want to move, so she settled into the pillows.
    He tucked the blanket around her.  “I'll be back in an hour or so. Is there anything you need while I'm out?”
    Tess wanted to tell him she didn't need a nurse, but she realized that they still had more to talk about regarding Asa's murder. “I don't need anything.”
    He kissed her on the cheek as he got up to leave. “Rest.”
     
    ~~~~
     
    Tess closed her eyes and willed sleep to come. Before she attained REM, there was a knock on her door. It couldn't be Jack already, she thought. She started to sit up when the door opened.
    “Hey Brat,” Daniel said poking is head in. It was a name used only when they were alone together. She'd earned the name when his parents, Helen and Tom had taken her in during a break from boarding school.
    "I've never done chores at my house," a sixteen year old Tess had said when Helen had asked her to sweep the kitchen after dinner.
    "You're welcome to go home for Thanksgiving if you'd prefer," Helen replied. Although at the time it seemed to Tess that Helen didn't care one way or another what choice she made, she'd later learned that Helen had been very afraid that Tess would leave. But Tess decided a little sweeping was better than going home to parents who at their best were indifferent and at their worst resentful of her. Home from college at the time, Daniel witnessed the incident and nicknamed her "Brat". It wasn't a complimentary name, yet somehow he said with such endearment that she accepted it.
    “Can I come in?”
    “Yes, of course,” She started to rise.
    “Don't get up,” he said as he entered her living area. He took a seat on the coffee table that Jack had just vacated.
    “Where's Sam?”
    “He's running an errand. He'll be back for me soon.”
    “How are you doing?” she asked glad to have the chance to talk to him about Asa's death.
    “I'm doing alright.” She knew Daniel and Asa had never been close. In fact, she thought they'd had a falling out, but never heard the details.
    “And Helen?” she asked.
    “She's struggling. She feels guilty for not being there.”
    “But she never attended his parties.”
    “No, but apparently he'd applied more pressure for her to be there last night.”
    “Why?” Tess wondered if Asa had given Helen a clue as to the purpose of the gathering.
    “That's the question of the day.”
    “Do you think it's why he was killed?”
    Daniel shifted, looked apologetic. “I can't talk about it especially in light of who you're representing.”
    “Right.” She felt sorry too. Not that he would have been able to tell her much anyway. But somehow her representing Jack had become a wedge between them.
    “Actually, I'm here because I'm worried about you.”
    “Me? It's just a little flu bug. I'm starting to feel better already.”
    “Good. I'm glad to hear it, but I was talking about Valentine.”
    “Jack?”
    “I know you said he's an old friend of yours.” Tess could see he hated the idea of her having had a relationship with Jack, but before she could explain he said, “There's a