Free Jane Eyre Austen by Doyle MacBrayne Page B

looked at her carefully, “He’ll hurt you, Jane.  He’s not the kind of man who will accept your situation.”
    She nodded, “Who would?” 
    He slid out of the bench and offered his hand.  They walked back to the office and before entering, he stopped.  “Are we ok?”  She nodded, punching his stomach lightly. He pulled her into a tight hug.
    “I love you, Janie.  Sorry about my crazy jealousy.”  He tilted her chin up and kissed her lightly on the lips before opening the door and watching her walk in.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER thirteen
     
     
    Gray worked in his office for the rest of the afternoon, until he was interrupted by Clayton who placed his laptop on Gray’s desk, then sat down in the comfortable wingback chair.
    “Richard Austen has title to the entire block.”  His eyes narrowed on Gray, “I’m not sure how he even knew you were interested in that land, unless his sister told him.”
    Gray shrugged, “I don’t believe she’s that close to her brother. In fact I get the distinct impression she hates him.”
    “She had access to the files, Clay. How else could Richard have known about it?”
    Gray sighed, “The real estate agent, the land owners, their neighbors. . .  I don’t think the girl is seriously involved in this.  Besides, you already told me he paid more than it was worth.  We’ll just set up somewhere else.”
    Clayton pulled his laptop around and pulled up the video from earlier that day.  “Gray, I think you should see this. It’s from the door camera.”
    The video was Ben kissing Jane goodbye. Gray rolled his eyes but didn’t look away. 
    Gray groaned, “Clayton, you’ve gone too far. I’m surprised you don’t have video and audio from lunch.”
    Clayton glared at him, “You’re an idiot when it comes to women, Gray.  You should have seen her with him earlier today.  It makes it easy to believe the rumors.”
    Gray cocked his head, “What rumors?”
    “They are more than friends, the three of them, Gray.” 
    Gray shook his head, “Don’t be disgusting Clay, and I don’t ever want to hear you repeat that again.”  His face contorted, “And where the hell did you hear that anyway?”
    Clayton held his gaze, “Golf.  One of Judge Stein’s friends joined us today.  He’s a friend of Richard’s.  It’s how I found out about the real estate deal too.”
    Gray sat back, rubbing his temple as Clayton continued, “Apparently, Richard has been spreading rumors about her being a high class hooker or something-- that she traveled through Europe on her back.  That she, Patrick, and Ben play house every chance they get.”  He looked at his friend who looked ill, “Do you want me to continue?”
    “Does it get worse?” he asked quietly.   Clayton nodded.  Poole groaned and waved his hand for Clayton to continue.
    “Richard set her up at the Symphony.  Told his golf buddies that the package included the fantasy of their choice with his sister.”
    Poole felt sick, “And they believed him?”
    Clayton shrugged, “The Judge didn’t, and his friend says Richard is a sick freak, but money buys reputation my friend.”  Clayton added quietly, “There’s something between her and Ben too. The picture doesn’t do them justice.”
    Poole nodded, remembering Ben at the Symphony, his glaring at Richard.  He was protective of her, but the kiss in the video was fraternal.  Clayton left him to stew in his thoughts and he simmered for hours, recalling how she and Patrick looked so natural together.  Was she promising something with her wicked tongue?  It would be reasonable for Jane to remain friends with Patrick, and then become friends with Ben.  What was her relationship with Richard, anyway?  He attacked her and then they sat at the same table later.  Why would she put up with that?  Why, Gray wondered, did he care so much?  Why did he need to know? 
    Before leaving work, he stopped by Jane’s desk.  “Ms.