Free Risky Business by Nora Roberts Page B

strangers.”
    â€œWhether we know each other or not, we have the same problem.”
    The cup rattled in the sink as it slipped from her hand. Silently, Liz picked it up again, rinsed it off and set it in the drainer. She’d chipped it, but that was a small matter at the moment. “You’ve got ten minutes,” she said, but he took her arm before she could skirt around him.
    â€œWe do have the same problem, Elizabeth.” His voice was quiet, steady. She could have hated him for that alone.
    â€œNo, we don’t. You’re trying to avenge your brother’s death. I’m just trying to make a living.”
    â€œDo you think everything would settle down quietly if I were back in Philadelphia?”
    She tugged her arm uselessly. “Yes!” Because she knew she lied, her eyes heated.
    â€œOne of the first impressions I had of you was your intelligence. I don’t know why you’re hiding on your pretty little island, Liz, but you’ve got a brain, a good one. We both know that what happened to you last night would have happened with or without me.”
    â€œAll right.” She relaxed her arm. “What happened wasn’tbecause of you, but because of Jerry. That hardly makes any difference to my position, does it?”
    He stood up slowly, but didn’t release her arm. “As long as someone thinks you knew what Jerry was into, you’re the focus. As long as you’re the focus, I’m standing right beside you, because directly or indirectly, you’re going to lead me to Jerry’s killer.”
    Liz waited a moment until she was sure she could speak calmly. “Is that all people are to you, Jonas? Tools? Means to an end?” She searched his face and found it set and remote. “Men like you never look beyond their own interests.”
    Angry without knowing why, he cupped her face in his hand. “You’ve never known a man like me.”
    â€œI think I have,” she said softly. “You’re not unique, Jonas. You were raised with money and expectations, you went to the best schools and associated with the best people. You had your goal set and if you had to step on or over a few people on the way to it, it wasn’t personal. That’s the worst of it,” she said on a long breath. “It’s never personal.” Lifting her chin, she pushed his hand from her face. “What do you want me to do?”
    Never in his life had anyone made him feel so vile. With a few words she’d tried and condemned him. He remembered the dream, and the blank, staring eyes of the jury. He swore at her and turned to pace to the window. He couldn’t back away now, no matter how she made him feel because he was right—whether he was here or in Philadelphia, she was still the key.
    There was a hammock outside, bright blue and yellow strings stretched between two palms. He wondered if she ever gave herself enough time to use it. He found himself wishing he could take her hand, walk across the yard and lie with her on the hammock with nothing more important to worry about than swatting at flies.
    â€œI need to talk to Luis,” he began. “I want to know the places he went with Jerry, the people he may have seen Jerry talk to.”
    â€œI’ll talk to Luis.” When Jonas started to object, Liz shook her head. “You saw his reaction yesterday. He wouldn’t be able to talk to you because you make him too nervous. I’ll get you a list.”
    â€œAll right.” Jonas fished for his cigarettes and found with some annoyance that he’d left them in the bedroom. “I’ll need you to go with me, starting tonight, to the places Luis gives you.”
    A feeling of stepping into quicksand came strongly. “Why?”
    He wasn’t sure of the answer. “Because I have to start somewhere.”
    â€œWhy do you need me?”
    And even less sure of this one. “I don’t know how