Free The Marriage Profile by Metsy Hingle

noted the hole in the door that he had failed to see when he’d first approached the condo. That he had missed it only drove home the fact that being anywhere near the woman tied him up in knots. The realization did nothing to improve his mood or alter his belief that working with her was a lousy idea.
    â€œSo did you drive out here at this time of night just to insult me? Or are you here for some other reason?”
    The snap in her voice helped to clear his sex-charged brain. “I talked to the feds.”
    She crossed her arms, met his gaze evenly. “And?”
    â€œThey informed me that you’ll be working independently of them, but keeping them apprised.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    â€œWrong. I’ve decided to take you up on your offer and have you work the kidnapping case with me on one condition.”
    She arched one dark brow. “Which is?”
    â€œNothing you learn about this case gets back to Ricky Mercado or anyone in his family.”
    Angela sighed. “I suppose that means you know that Ricky believes his sister, Haley, is still alive and that the baby belongs to her.”
    â€œI’m aware that there’s a rumor to that effect. But so far that’s all it is—a rumor. I don’t have any proof to substantiate it,” Justin informed her. “And until I do, I want the Mercados kept out of this. So do we have a deal?”
    â€œAll right. You have my word. I won’t share any information with Ricky. Any other conditions?”
    â€œNo. That’s it.”
    â€œI guess I should be grateful that you didn’t try to have me taken off the case,” she said, some of the stiffness going out of her. “When I left your office, I was sure you’d use your influence to have me removed.”
    â€œI tried,” he admitted. “But I was voted down. The Carsons and Luke Callaghan were the ones who wanted you brought in.”
    â€œLuke Callaghan?”
    â€œHe’s the little girl’s father.”
    â€œBut I thought… Then the mother…”
    â€œLuke doesn’t know who she is. It was a one-night stand. It’s all in here,” he said, and shoved the file at her. “There’s a copy of everything I have on the case so far.”
    â€œThanks,” she said, taking the file from him. “But I would have come by your office to pick it up. You really didn’t have to drive out here to bring it to me,” she said, her expression softening, along with her voice.
    He shrugged. “It was no big deal,” he said, far tooaware of her for his own peace of mine. “I figured it was probably more detailed than what you got from the feds, and I knew you’d be itching to get started on working up a profile of the kidnapper, so I decided to drop it off.”
    â€œYou’re right. I am eager to get started. Thanks again for bringing it out.”
    Justin nodded. “Well, it’s getting late. I’ll go and let you get back to…to whatever it was you were doing.”
    She looked down at her clothes, then back up at him. “I was trying to make myself work out. And trust me, I was glad to have an excuse to stop,” she informed him, and almost smiled. “Would you like to come in? I mean, if you have the time. I’d really like to talk about the case.”
    Justin hesitated. “I think you’ll probably find the answers to any questions you have in there,” he informed her, indicating the file folder she held.
    â€œBut what I won’t find are your perceptions and theories about the kidnapping.”
    Justin remained silent, eyed her cautiously.
    â€œYou were always a good lawman, Justin, and a good judge of people. I’d be foolish not to take advantage of those facts and pick your brain a little. And while I realize you don’t think much of my methods, I know you want to find that little girl every bit as much as I do. Getting your