Free Lethal Bond: Jamie Bond Mysteries Book #3 by Gemma Halliday, Jennifer Fischetto Page A

Business came first.
    I pushed the front door open and was greeted by the pungent smell of burnt popcorn. Maya was walking to her desk, a bag of the charred, microwaved stuff in hand. She stopped short and gasped. "What happened to your face?"
    I waved away her words as if it wasn't a big deal. "I just fell."
    "Where? On a cheese grater?"
    Seriously? If she insisted or even suggested I wear a wire next time, those better spirits would disintegrate, and I was going to lose it.
    Instead she just eyed me suspiciously, and when I didn't answer her or elaborate, she continued around the desk. She knew that if I wanted to share I would. And if I didn't, it was healthy to her employed status not to pry.
    I focused on her. The crusts of a sandwich and a can of Diet Coke sat beside her monitor.
    "You work too much if you're eating at your desk. Why not get out of here and have lunch with Brandon? The two of you are still seeing each other, right?"
    Her face flushed, so I took that as a yes.
    Brandon Duke was Maya's ex-fiancé, who then became a client, and now was back where he belonged, by Maya's side, the good guy wearing the white hat. She didn't talk about them as a couple much, but since he'd come back into her life, she smiled more and was peppier in the morning. If that was possible.
    To keep her from feeling she needed to answer my prying, I changed the subject. "Has Caleigh returned?"
    "She's in her office."
    "Great." I pulled up the photos I took of Snake Man and his buddies on my phone and set it on Maya's desk. "There are five shots that I took at Ventura's. Three guys. Can you find out who they are?"
    Maya pulled my SD card out of my phone and pushed it into the computer slot. She clicked a few buttons, copying them over, then ejected the card. "What else do you need?"
    "I want to know what court cases they've been involved in."
    She pushed the card back into my phone and handed it over. "Sure thing."
    Always so efficient. I never had to worry.
    I walked to Caleigh's door and knocked.
    "Come in." But the voice wasn't hers.
    I stepped inside and saw both of my associates. While Caleigh sat behind her desk, Sam was seated in one of the chairs facing her.
    They both shouted, "What happened to your face?"
    I needed to remember to keep an extra tube of concealer in my purse. I took the third chair and explained Ventura's.
    Lines formed between Sam's brows. "I'm so sorry I left you. If I would have stayed, I could've had your back."
    "No, this isn't your fault. I should have waited for backup." Although I'd never admit that to Danny.
    I looked to Caleigh. "So how'd it go with your father?"
    She rolled her eyes. "That man is so exasperating."
    "He seems sweet," Sam said.
    Caleigh slapped her hand on her desk. "Let me tell you. He complained that I don't have an automatic ice maker, HBO, or a fireplace. It's L.A. in September, and I have an active social life. I don't need those things. Although an ice maker would be nice."
    I smirked.
    "I'm glad he's here. I've missed him, but when he gets here I remember why I wanted to leave home to begin with." She huffed.
    "And tonight? Are things settled for dinner?" Sam asked.
    "Not really. Danny doesn't want to go out tonight, so I'm gonna have to make something up about why he's not joining us."
    I wondered if our little spat had anything to do with his uncooperative mood. I didn't want to make things more difficult for Caleigh, but I was relieved I wouldn't have to make small talk with him tonight.
    "We're meeting at seven at Ma Belle's on Glenoaks."
    I arched my brows very high. "I've never been there." I'd also never heard of it.
    "Daddy wants to go to a place that serves southern food. He's been on the Internet all day searching for the perfect restaurant. He's afraid…" She used her fingers to make air quotes. " Typical L.A. fare is full of seaweed and soy."
    Well there went my chances for a posh dining experience. Not to say southern food couldn't be posh, but anything located