Free For the Defense by M.J. Rodgers

hit-and-run?”
    There she was, right back to business. Definitely not the response he was used to getting from women. Did she not find him attractive, or was she too much of a professional to let on?
    He told himself the answer wasn’t important. She was keeping their relationship businesslike and for that he was glad.
    “I contacted Jared as we discussed,” Jack said in response to her question. “He’ll let us know if and when he finds anything. I also began the search into Bruce Weaton’s background. Now that I know where he went to school and who his friends were, I should be able to—”
    “How did you find out those things so quickly?”
    There was far more challenge than curiosity in her tone.
    Jack repositioned himself on her exceptionally uncomfortable guest chair as he set the folder she’d given him on his lap.
    “I have no problem indulging your curiosity, Diana. But your question comes across more like a cross-examination of my investigation techniques.”
    “It was.”
    Her candor came as a complete shock, which must have been apparent, because a small smile lifted her lips.
    She had enjoyed surprising him. Maybe as much as he’d enjoyed surprising her.
    “So, you want me to assume that you know how to do your job?” she asked.
    She was testing him. “As I’m assuming you know how to do your job.”
    That made her smirk. “But you won’t take exception to my asking questions purely out of curiosity?”
    “I’m always happy to satisfy the curious.”
    She inched forward on her chair. “Then strictly out of curiosity, how did you find out about Bruce’s schooling and friends so fast?”
    “His obituary mentioned the schools he’d attended,” Jack volunteered easily because he was satisfied that she’d been honest about her motives. “A glimpse at the guest registry at the mortuary where his services were held last year told me who cared enough to show up.”
    “Doesn’t that guest registry go to the family?”
    “Smart mortuary personnel keep a copy, knowing that a family in mourning may misplace theirs.”
    She rested against the back of her chair. “Seems so simple now that you’ve explained.”
    “Everything seems simple once you have the answer. Knowing where and how to get the answer is what separates the professional from the amateur.”
    An amused eyebrow lifted. “Was that another reminder that you are a professional and deserve to be treated as one?”
    Jack smiled. “A very gentle reminder. I’m always careful not to inflict any unnecessary bruises.”
    “As opposed to the necessary ones?” Her brief smile was good-natured.
    So, she had a nice sense of humor lurking behind herformal façade. Getting past this woman’s defenses might not be easy. But Jack was becoming more certain by the minute that the effort would be worthwhile.
    “Anything else you feel curious about this morning, Diana?”
    Damn, he was flirting with her. He hadn’t meant to, but those last words had come out full of invitation. Unable to take them back, he carefully wiped the come-hither smile off his lips.
    She studied him intently for a minute, then pushed a thick binder in his direction. “Before you get too involved in investigating Bruce’s background, I need some quick input on these.”
    Not only had she not flirted back, she’d completely ignored his flirting. Relief vied with an odd disappointment.
    Jack picked up the thick binder. “What are these?”
    “The preliminary jury questionnaires. They list names, addresses, driver’s license numbers and other pertinent information as well as the answers to the basic questions of whether they’ve heard about the case or know any of the principals who are involved.”
    Jack flipped through one of the questionnaires. One page listed the names of Bruce, his family members, Connie, witnesses to the alleged crime, as well as Staker and Diana. The next page cautioned each prospective juror not to discuss the case with anyone or allow