Free The Pastor’s Jezebel Lover by Nic Saint Page A

snatched from the internet and had printed out.
    Frank studied the woman’s face carefully. She was gorgeous, he thought. No wonder his friend had fallen for her. Any man would. He wondered briefly if Ramon was doing the right thing by getting involved, but knew better than to ask.
    The priest had always been a deeply emotional young man, and whenever he felt strongly about something, there was no way to convince him otherwise.
    He decided to play along for now.
    “You’re telling me you believe in her innocence?”
    “I do. There’s no way she could have done the things they’re accusing her of.”
    “Stealing a car. Running over a child. Murdering a woman. Things seem to be progressing very quickly indeed. What about motive? Was she still in love with this man, or, alternatively, did she profoundly hate him?”
    “Neither. She didn’t love or hate him. She’s a wonderful woman who’s been let down by people many, many times. But most miraculously it hasn’t turned her heart bitter. She still has hope and dignity and, most importantly, love to share. It’s quite remarkable she’s managed to remain so pure in spirit.”
    Frank thought Ramon was displaying all the signs of a man in love, and decided to perform his own investigation into this wonder woman. A keen judge of human nature, he thought it highly unlikely she was as pure as Ramon made her out to be. Most people weren’t.
    “I think we need to establish the relationship between Eileen and Jacqueline Doulard. If memory serves, Jacqueline was a fine attorney, but prone to errors of judgment. I remember she once got involved with a client of hers. An escaped convict who turned on her. She almost didn’t survive that particular altercation.”
    Ramon’s face lit up. “So you’ll take the case?”
    Frank steepled his fingers and raised his brows. “Of course I’ll take the case. How could I ever refuse to help out an old friend?”
    Ramon reached across the desk, and grabbed Frank’s hand to press it warmly.
    “You won’t regret this, Frank. Once you meet Eileen, you’ll understand.”
    Frank highly doubted that, but the case looked interesting enough to pique his curiosity, and it had been quite a while since he’d had a case that had that effect on him.
    He gave his friend a gracious smile, and patted his hand consolingly. “I’ll do everything in my power to help out your lady love, Ramon.” He rose from his seat with surprising agility. “Now take me to her. I think it’s time we got acquainted.”

Chapter 16

    “I admit it looks quite bleak, Miss Stoker,” Frank Ruffalo was saying, “but trust me to do my very best for you. And don’t ever lose hope.”
    They were the kindest words she’d heard since being locked up in the small jail cell, and did much to warm Eileen’s heart.
    “Thank you, Mr Ruffalo—”
    “Frank, please. Only the staunchest criminals call me Mr Ruffalo. And politicians of course, which is the same thing, really.” He laughed loudly at his own joke.
    “Only if you call me Eileen.” She smiled, though she didn’t have much cause. Ramon hadn’t been able to come, the sheriff banning him from seeing her as long as he couldn’t produce a marriage license or a license to practice law.
    “Tell Ramon thank you. I’d almost lost hope before you came and provided a glimpse of hope that will have to see me through until tomorrow.”
    Ruffalo stood and held her hand for a moment. “I can see now why Ramon is so enchanted with you, Eileen. And why he insists on marrying you at the earliest possible convenience.”
    “I’m afraid I’m already married, Frank. Though I swear I didn’t know.”
    He inclined his head. “I’ll look into that. But if it’s true, I’m afraid your marriage to Ramon is an impossibility. For the present, at least.”
    She produced a brave smile. “It was a wonderful thing for Ramon to suggest, even though it’s also a very rash act on his part.”
    “He must love you very