luminous eyes watched him, looking vulnerable one moment and calculating the next. This was a woman with a secret. One way or another, he was going to discover what that secret was.
DEVRA TOOK a deep breath to steady herself. She turned her back on the rude detective to return the tea to the fridge. She needed to stay calm, to give nothing away. Her hair tickled the back of her neck, sending an uncomfortable heat racing through her. He was staring at her again, with a look so intense she was sure he could see right through her.
She closed her eyes. Breathein and out, in and out. She tried to ignore the intense gleam in his eyes and the hard lines sculpturing his jaw. They made her anxious. They made him look as if he could become unhinged at any moment.
So, what type of stuff do you write? he asked, pinning her with another of his dark, primitive stares.
All types, she muttered, and dropped her gaze to wide shoulders tapering down to a narrow waist where tight jeans molded thick thighs. With dark blond hair and eyes as brown and rich as a cup of espresso at Emerils, the combined effect definitely made the man a risk. Shed have to be extra careful around this one. He could do too much to her senses without even trying.
Published?
Enough to make a living. She watched under lowered lashes as he popped a few more pralines and drank down his tea in large gulps. He exuded an overabundance of confidence and moved with the grace of a panther. A dangerous mix, and she had a good idea he could be equally ferocious.
A trickle of moisture ran between her shoulder blades. She glanced at the clock. Look, Ive got to go soon. Are we about done?
His gaze, cool and assessing, studied her. A young womantwenty-five, blond, beautiful, married and happyher whole life in front of her, was found dead in the Quarter with this around her neck. He held up the plastic baggie containing Devras locket.
But she couldnt look at the necklace; she was too focused on the mans eyes, the deep brown of them melting in pain. Hed known this woman well. Im sorry, she offered, though she understood it wasnt enough.
It never was.
His eyes narrowed and his pretense of charm and suaveness disappeared, replaced by something uglier, something desperate and frustrated. I want to know how this necklace wound up around her neck. He slammed his glass onto the counter. She jumped, refusing to meet his eyes. There was nothing she could offer that would help him or that woman.
When was the last time you saw your necklace? He was closetoo closestealing her energy, her breath, her feeble hold on her senses.
She stared at the locket through the plastic, focusing on the small rose etched on its face, on anything but him. Last Saturday, at the Childrens Hospital.
You sure?
Yes. I meanI think I am.
Can you think of any reason why your necklace would have been found on a murder victim?
Because Im next? No, she whispered. She looked up at him, her gaze colliding with his. Big mistake. His doubt, his anger, riding so close to the surface, frightened her. I dont know. Maybe she found it, she offered in a voice barely above a whisper.
No one has ever seen her with it before. Plus, it has a picture in it of a couple Ive never seen. I know her. She wouldnt wear a locket with someone elses picture in it.
Devra nodded slowly. Of course she wouldnt.
Who are they? The couple in the picture.
She hesitated, her tongue seeming to thicken and fill her mouth.
He stepped closer. She could smell him nowrich, spicy, male.
Who are they? he repeated.
My parents.
Where do they live?
Washington State.
He pulled a notepad out of his back pocket. Their names?
She hesitated.
He looked at her, waiting, coldly calculating.
She said the names she hadnt uttered in fifteen years. William and Lydia. William and Lydia Miller. But she wouldnt tell him that much, not if she could help it. He closed the notepad and shoved it back into his pocket. She let out the breath shed been holding and waited for him to back away.
He didnt.
Is that all? she stammered.
His piercing gaze looked right through her. Is there anything else youd like to tell me?
Like what?
Do you have a record?
An ice pick of fear pierced her heart and sent a cold shiver pulsing through her. She knew what was coming, knew what hed ask next. He stepped closer stealing her air. Have you ever been arrested?
Chapter Two
rubbing your wrists?
She didnt answer and refused to look at him.
A telltale sign? His adrenaline kicked into high gear. You wont mind coming downtown to answer a few more questions, perhaps take a set of fingerprints?
Her eyes shot to his. What on earth for? I didnt have anything to do with this womans murder. I didnt even know her.
How do you know you didnt know her? I havent shown you her picture yet.
Because I dont know very many people here, she said defensively and started to pace the room. And I certainly dont know any female police officers. She stopped and looked at him with cold fear widening her eyes.
Gotcha, sweetheart. I dont believe I mentioned the young woman was a cop.