Brenda Joyce - [Francesca Cahil 02] Read Free Page A

expect you to be.”
    “It is one of the very last places I wish to be.” His gaze was direct. He spoke now as if her brother were not present.
    “Then why?” Francesca asked with real curiosity. She knew how hard—and how late—Bragg worked. “I am surprised you are not at police headquarters.”
    He shrugged slightly. “Public relations.”
    “Public relations?” she murmured while her mind sped.
    “I must hobnob with the city’s finest,” he said with a self-deprecating shrug.
    And she understood. He had so much to do—and so little time in which to do it, for there was rarely longevity in a controversial appointment like his. Already the press had dragged him through hell and back. Just a week ago, he had been accused of incompetence for failing to find Jonny Burton’s abductor. Yesterday he had been hailed a hero. She wondered how the press would treat his first real attempt to fight corruption within the police by demoting 300 detectives. “Did you really demote three hundred of your men?”
    His mouth quirked. “No comment.”
    “Bragg!” She was smiling. “I am not employed by the
Tribune.”
    So was he. “Thank God, and yes, I did.”
    She realized he had been teasing her, and it felt glorious. “And what do you think to accomplish? Oh ho, they must fear their leader now!”
    He chuckled at her exuberance. “They have been reassigned—to foot patrol—in different precincts. It is a long story, Francesca. Hopefully a few good men will emerge from the current circumstance.”
    Suddenly Francesca realized most of the police department must hate him now as well as fear him. She shivered. “Be careful, Bragg.” And suddenly she did not like this newest development at all.
    His eyes widened fractionally with surprise when Evan stepped somewhat between them. “Shall we get something to drink, Fran?”
    She felt like kicking his shin or pinching his hand. “Why don’t you get me a glass of champagne?” She smiled sweetly but gave him a dark look of annoyance.
    “Why don’t you come with me?” Evan returned, not budging, but staring at her.
    Why did he think to protect her from Bragg? “Perhaps I am enjoying a conversation with the police commissioner,” she returned.
    “I must move on, in any case,” Bragg said. He hesitated. “Francesca? May I have a private word with you?”
    She was surprised, and any elation quickly vanished as she realized that his expression was grim. “Of course.” She ignored her disapproving brother now and stepped aside with Bragg.
    He sighed. “I was going to send a note.”
    Dread overcame her. “A … note?”
    “I am afraid police affairs dictate my life these days. I must cancel our outing tomorrow.”
    She looked at him and felt as if someone had just ripped the rug out from under her feet.
“What?”
    “I am sorry. Perhaps another time.” He smiled at her, but his gaze was searching and very somber.
    Francesca pasted what felt like a stupendous and stupid grin upon her face—as she mustn’t let him see her real feelings. “Of course. Of course affairs of the city would keep you preoccupied. Think nothing of it, Bragg.”
    “I thought you would understand,” he said, his gaze holding onto hers.
    “I am your biggest supporter,” Francesca said firmly, “as you must know.”
    “And I appreciate it.” He nodded at her and Evan both before turning to go.
    Feeling as if a mule had just kicked her in the chest, Francesca watched Bragg being greeted heartily by other guests.
    “So that is the lay of the land,” Evan said accusingly. “I thought it was a silly flirtation, but it is not!”
    Francesca hardly heard him. Bragg had canceled their outing. How could he? What did this mean?
    It meant that he had police affairs to attend to.
    No. Clearly, clearly, it meant that their kiss had meant nothing to him at all.
    Francesca closed her eyes tightly. She had been trying to forget their one single devastating kiss. They had both thought Jonny