Free Texas Tall by Janet Dailey Page B

that truly mattered was about to be laid on the line.
    In this small community he was admired and envied. He had plenty of money, thanks to his wife’s inheritance. He had a perfect family, a respected career, and a promising future. But two months ago, in a weak moment, he’d made one stupid mistake—a mistake that could cost him his marriage, his children, his career, and even his freedom.
    Drummond glanced at the list of missed calls on his office phone. One number appeared three times. No messages, but he didn’t need any.
    It was time to give the devil her due.
    He reached for his desk phone, then changed his mind. He took his cell out of his pocket and punched in the number.
    â€œWhat the hell took you so long?” The husky female voice was unmistakable. “I called you three times, and you never called back.”
    â€œI was off the grid,” he said. “Got home from a hunt late last night. I just heard about your brother.”
    â€œYou could at least say you were sorry. Nicky was all the family I had. All I want now is to see Will Tyler pay for what he did—behind bars.”
    â€œSo do I. That’s why I called you. I’d like to make a deal.”
    â€œA deal?” She gave a derisive snort. “You’re not exactly the one holding the cards, Mr. Prosecutor.”
    â€œI know. And I plan to do my job. But I’ll work even harder for you if there’s something in it for me.”
    â€œI’m listening.”
    A bead of sweat trickled down Drummond’s temple. “I want that surveillance tape, Stella, and your promise that there are no copies. I want this whole mess over and done with.”
    She had the gall to laugh. “How about this deal? If you don’t put Will Tyler away, I’ll turn the tape over to the press. When you get out of jail, you’ll be lucky to get a job cleaning toilets.”
    Drummond had tried to remain calm and cool, but his anger now boiled over. “If I go down, I’ll take you with me. Procuring an underage girl. How’s that for a charge?”
    â€œOh, but there was no procuring. I hired the girl as a waitress. And I had no idea she was underage. She even showed me a fake driver’s license. When she fessed up later that she was just sixteen, I showed her the door. I’m guessing she left town. Taking her upstairs was your idea, not mine. Even if it can’t be proved she was underage, that surveillance camera caught you with your tidy whities down. Either way, I’d say you were in big trouble.”
    Drummond could imagine the smirk on her painted face. He swore under his breath. If he thought he could get away with it, he’d be tempted to find the woman and strangle her with his bare hands.
    â€œI’m counting on you. Keep me posted.” She ended the call on a maddeningly cheerful note.
    Drummond could feel a headache coming on. The pounding grew worse as he recalled how he’d gotten into this mess. His wife, Louise, could be a real bitch when she was in a bad mood. Last August, after one of their nastiest late-night fights, he’d driven to the Blue Coyote for a drink. By the time he’d downed enough Scotch to cloud his judgment, the perky little waitress had begun looking pretty good to him. Friendly and willing, she’d met him out back on her break, took his money, and led him up the stairs. It was only afterward, as he was pulling up his pants, he’d noticed the surveillance camera mounted in a high corner, well out of reach.
    Stella had probably paid the girl to target him. Whether she had or not, he was at her mercy now.
    The voice of Glenda, the receptionist, startled him out of his thoughts. “Mr. Drummond, Ms. Tyler is here to see you.”
    Drummond’s shoulders sagged. At any other time he’d have been happy to see his former law partner. But Tori Tyler couldn’t have picked a more awkward time to show up—especially if