Free The mighty Quinns: Liam by Kate Hoffmann Page A

in.”
    “Yeah, but maybe that was just a random crime.”
    “Maybe it was Pettibone paying a midnight visit. Maybe she was expecting him, did you ever think of that? He won’t come back with you there.”
    Liam held up his hand. “Maybe you should just take over here. I’ll get out of the way and you can do whatever it is you do.”
    Sean thought about the option for a long moment, then shook his head. “Now that your cover is blown, you should keep seeing her.”
    “You want me to date her?”
    “See her. If that means a date, then fine, date her. The first chance you get, search her apartment.”
    Liam frowned. “Isn’t that against the law?”
    “Not exactly. If she invites you in and you open a few drawers, there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re not acting as an agent of the police.”
    “Conor warned me to stay away from her. He kind of figured I was working on a case for you.”
    “Good.”
    “So what is it? Do you want me to continue seeing her or do you want me to stop?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Well, let me know when you do.” Liam walked back to the cooler and grabbed a ham sandwich. He’d spent so much time dragging Ellie into dinner conversation that he hadn’t had much to eat. He took a bite of the sandwich, then moved to the window. “There was one other contact. When I came out of the coffee shop she was talking to a guy. It seemed like they were arguing, but she denied it. When I asked her who he was, she just brushed me off. I didn’t want to push the point.”
    “Was it Pettibone?”
    Liam reached for the photo of Ronald Pettibone and stared at it for a long time. “No…I don’t know. Maybe. If it was, then he doesn’t look anything like this photo. But then Ellie doesn’t look anything like her photo.”
    “If it’s him, he’ll be back,” Sean said, joining him at the window.
    “She leaves her curtains open when she undresses,” Liam murmured, his gaze fixed on the apartment across the street.
    “Oh, yeah?”
    Liam pulled the curtains closed. “Don’t be a pervert.”
    “You haven’t been looking?”
    “Yes. But it was strictly professional.”
    “And what did you think?”
    “She’s got a nice body,” Liam commented. “A great body. And whoever took that bank photo of her ought to have his shutter finger amputated. It’s those kinds of photographers that make us all look like hacks.”
    “What else did you find out?”
    Liam shrugged. “I don’t think she’s a criminal.”
    “She’s a woman,” Sean said, his expression tight. “A beautiful woman. And you’re blinded by her beauty.”
    “I just met her,” Liam said. “I don’t get blinded until the fourth or fifth date.”
    “What did you talk about?”
    “Life. Romance. Work. Nothing in particular.”
    “Introduce her to me. I’ll date her. I’d get answers.”
    “Oh, right. You’ll charm her with your rapier wit and your bubbling conversation,” he said sarcastically. “Besides, we’re not dating. I had dinner with her, that’s all.”
    “What’s her name?”
    Liam frowned. “You know what her name is. Ellie. Eleanor Thorpe.”
    “You’re falling for her. The way you say her name. You smile when you say it. I’ve seen that before. It always means the same thing.”
    “I’m getting the hell out of here,” Liam said. “You’ve got your case back now—you can watch her.”
    “I can’t. I’ve got to follow up on the case from Atlantic City. Husband’s heading off on a business trip to Syracuse and I’ve got to trail him there.”
    “No way. I’m not spending another day in this attic.”
    “Then spend as much time as you can with her. You have my permission. Whatever you get, you get.” Sean walked to the door, but at the last minute he turned around. He reached into his pocket, withdrew a wad of cash, then tossed it to Liam. “Three thousand,” he murmured. “That’s half of the retainer they gave me. It’s yours. Just don’t screw this up.”
    The door