Free Deadly Kisses by Brenda Joyce Page B

I am waiting to see if my transfer to Bellevue Medical College has gone through,” Rourke said easily. “And how is my favorite soon-to-be sister-in-law?” But his gaze was carefully searching.
    Francesca hesitated. A tremor swept through her as she thought about the murder and Hart and she knew he felt it, because he became very alert. “You haven’t heard.”
    Warily, he said, “I haven’t heard what?”
    â€œDaisy is dead. She was murdered last night.”
    He was clearly shocked.
    â€œYou haven’t seen Hart?”
    â€œI was out last night when he returned from his business trip. What is it that you are not telling me?”
    She inhaled. “Hart found the body.”
    Rourke made a sound and looked away. Then, facing her, he said, “Don’t tell me. He is the prime suspect?”
    â€œI hope not! Rose also found Daisy, but independently, before Hart arrived at the scene. Or at least, that is how it appears. Rose is also a suspect.”
    Rourke shook his head grimly. “Is there any chance that you were with Hart last night at the time of the murder?”
    â€œI wish I had been, but no. Rose actually sent for me. I found them both at the house with the body around midnight.”
    Rourke walked away, his expression hard. Then he hesitated,glancing at Francesca. “At midnight? What the hell was Calder doing at Daisy’s at that hour?”
    Francesca flushed, wondering if he was thinking what Newman and Bragg had thought. She walked back to Hart’s desk and sat down in his chair.
    Rourke hurried to her. “Francesca, I did not mean that the way it sounded! We both know he had a good reason for being there. I just don’t happen to know what that reason is.”
    â€œI should like to know, as well.” Seeing Rourke’s grim expression, she added, “Rourke! He was not there to rekindle their affair. Surely that is not what you think? Bragg and Newman think so, and the fact that he will not explain why he was there isn’t helping his case.”
    Rourke paled. “No, I don’t think he went to Daisy’s for such a purpose.” He sat down on the edge of Hart’s desk. “Calder won’t explain his actions? That hardly makes any sense.”
    Because Rourke had become such a good friend, she said, “I wish he would confide in me. For the life of me, I cannot imagine what could be so secretive. But in a way, he is right. He is entitled to his privacy. However, the police do want an explanation. And sooner or later, he shall certainly have to give them one.”
    Rourke smiled at her. “I am pleased to see that you remain as calm and sensible as ever.”
    She rolled her eyes. “It is a facade—I am worried. But not because I doubt Hart’s innocence. Rourke, I wish Hart hadn’t been at Daisy’s last night—and I wish he would tell me why he went to see her in the first place.”
    He regarded her for a moment, as he absorbed what she had said. “Francesca, give him some time. I believe that Hart is in love with you. He has never been this involved before—or involved at all, really. He may not know how to confide in you. He may not understand that you need to know why he went to Daisy’s last night.”
    Francesca was startled. Rourke’s words made sense. Harthad been reluctant from the first to share his real feelings with her. He kept a large part of himself closed off. He was adept at showing the world an arrogant facade, but Francesca knew it was only that, a front to hide the very complicated man behind it. Perhaps he didn’t know how to be himself with her—and he certainly wasn’t accustomed to having to account to anyone for anything.
    â€œI know one thing,” she said slowly. “Hart needs my trust. It is probably the greatest gift I can give him. So if I have to wait to discover his secret, I will do just that.”
    â€œI