Free Merciless by Diana Palmer Page B

most part, until the kidnapping charge.”
    â€œOnly because of Jay Copper, who’s a master of intimidation,” he replied. “But Copper’s still in jail, awaitingtrial, and even he can’t do much intimidating from his present domicile. Not that he can’t hire it done,” he added heavily.
    â€œYour brother has a friend in covert ops who watched out for Winnie Sinclair’s mother when she was in danger investigating the Kilraven murders,” she reminded him. “Perhaps he could tag along with you.”
    He glared at her. “I’m a senior FBI agent,” he reminded her coldly. “I do not require a bodyguard!”
    She held up both hands. “No offense, but you can’t watch your back all the time.”
    â€œYes, I can.”
    She glowered at him. “There’s the matter of kryptonite turning up in unusual places, Superman,” she said with faint sarcasm.
    â€œI didn’t invite you in here to insult me,” he pointed out.
    â€œYou wanted advice. I’m flattered that you value mine. Here it is. Don’t tell your brother anything until you can find a witness who knows what Bart Hancock did—if he really was involved in the murder of Kilraven’s family.”
    He sat back in the chair. It was a leather chair, old and not really cushy, but very comfortable. It was odd, she thought, for such a rigid, Spartan sort of man to like a comfortable chair at his desk when he provided hard chairs for visitors. But then, he was something of an anachronism himself.
    â€œI suppose you’re right,” he replied quietly. Privately he was thinking how hard a job that was going to be, findinganybody connected to the case who was willing to risk his life to testify against a child murderer. Even civilians knew what happened to men who went to prison for that particular crime. They didn’t last a long time incarcerated. The other inmates didn’t appreciate child killers.
    â€œYou might involve Rick Marquez and Gail Sinclair,” she advised, referring to two of the best homicide detectives on San Antonio’s police force. “They’re both familiar with the case, and Gail really is psychic. She might come up with some witness you haven’t even considered.”
    He brightened a little. “That’s good advice.”
    â€œYes, it is,” she mused, smiling.
    He glared at her. “No reason to become conceited.”
    â€œBut, sir, I have so much to be conceited about,” she said haughtily. Her blue eyes twinkled. “Want to know what the stylists are doing for the holiday season this year? How about the latest fashion buzz from Paris?”
    He was looking more irritable by the second. “When I want to know those things, I’ll call Cammy and have her send her matrimonial prospect right over to enlighten me,” he said sarcastically.
    Her eyes widened. “I can call her for you. Right now, if you like.”
    â€œIf you do, you’ll really be out looking for a new job,” he returned.
    She shrugged. “Okay. But you don’t know what you’re missing. All those color predictions, skirt length changes…”
    He stood up. “Out!” he said, pointing to the door.
    She stood up, too. “Ingrate,” she muttered.
    He came around the desk. He was really tall, she thought, when he stopped less than an arm’s length away from her. “You’re a fountain of wisdom from time to time, Joceline,” he said very softly. “We have our differences, but you’re a real asset here.”
    She flushed. “Thanks.”
    He looked down into her eyes for longer than he meant to, and was suddenly aware of a new tension, a new electricity that arced between them.
    Joceline felt her heart bounce up into her throat at the intensity of his gaze. She couldn’t seem to tear her eyes away, and a huge shock surged up inside her like an almost tangible