Free Framed: A Psychological Thriller (Boston's Crimes of Passion Book 2) by Colleen Connally Page B

Harrison. She didn’t have time for my troubles. What could I do then? I was only fourteen. The world as I knew it was over.”
    Kincaid realized he needed more information, but she had given him enough to move ahead. He said in a low, but soothing voice, “I’m going to make this right for you.”
    “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” Her words were still wary, but firm. “You can’t turn back time. I faced the truth a long time ago and if you want the truth, write this down. I don’t believe Daddy killed himself.”
    “But you found him, Riley,” Kincaid said, regretting causing her hurt. “As difficult as it must be to acknowledge, no one has ever questioned that fact.”
    “I did. I always have.”
    He realized it was useless to argue over her father’s death. Suicides were the hardest deaths to accept. He knew that, but yet uttered, “I will look into it if you want when I go down to Charleston.”
    “You are going to Charleston?”
    “I can only do so much from here. I’ll make some calls. If things pan out, I’ll leave next week.”
    * * * *
    Riley hadn’t been prepared for the effect the interview had on her. She was exhausted, with a sudden realization she needed to be alone. As she relived the past, she came to the realization she had to keep her distance from Kincaid or she would end up in his arms, begging him to stay.
    A part of her wanted him to comfort her like he had last night. To provide a warm, safe place for her to hide. She wanted to hide. She was scared, ever so scared, but she could never admit it to the man in front of her.
    But she was no coward. The words of warning resonated within her:  trust no one .
    She felt his eyes on her. Intense. Incredibly potent.
    Slowly, he walked to her side. Softly, he brushed his fingertips over her lips. She closed her eyes. Before she could take her next breath, his mouth was on hers.
    Their shared attraction flared. For a moment, everything was forgotten except his kiss, his touch…their desire.
    Her name whispered on his lips. He broke from her and simply smiled, the intense passion still flaming in his eyes.
    “I better go or I won’t,” he said in a low, deep voice. “I want to see you again…”
    She took a deep breath, telling herself she couldn’t get involved with him. Not an investigative reporter. It was too dangerous. But he had a way of making her forget the possible consequences on acting on their desire for each other.
    Riley said, “Saturday night. There is a gala at the Museum of Fine Arts. They are honoring Nana…if you want to come. It’s black tie.”
    His lips twisted at the thought. “I believe I can make it. I’ll call you.”
    She nodded, but he made no move toward the door. He laughed.
    “I’ll need your number.”
    “Of course,” she answered, feeling kind of foolish. “339-555-0520.”
    A moment later, her phone rang. It rang again.
    “Now, you have mine…if you want to talk.”
    He sounded so sincere. She scolded herself for being such a ditz. She reached into her purse…and caught herself… She almost grabbed the wrong phone. She hesitated.
    Quickly composing herself, she pressed a few buttons on the right phone. She smiled up at him. “I have it. Besides, I know where you work.”
    “Yes, you do.” With that, he walked toward the door, glancing back only once with that smile that melted her soul.
    He was gone.
    It was quiet…too quiet. Looking out the window, she watched Kincaid round the corner of the house. He didn’t turn back. A part of her wanted him to turn around.
    Get a grip! You don’t need him…you can’t lose your focus now. There is no going back.
    She walked to the back door and let Bailey back into the house. As he romped happily beside her, Riley allowed her dog to jump on the couch and lay on her lap. Absentmindedly, she petted Bailey.
    Tired, ever so tired. She should take a nap, but she couldn’t. Not until she had some semblance of a plan. Everything had gone so