Cinderella Liberty Read Free Page B

so my sister doesn't feel bad for bringing her—" Zippy stopped. "Aw, crap."
    "What?" Crash hated to ask, because it probably wouldn't be good.
    "I was supposed to call Trish today to firm up plans." Zippy blew out a breath. "I'll have to stop by the office on the way home and use my desk phone. I called to get a new cell overnighted to me so I'd have it for the det, but it won't be here until tomorrow."
    And so they'd gone full circle, back to the sunken phone. Happy Zippy's attention had moved away from Crash's sorely lacking personal life and on to something else, he slid his cell across the bar. "You can use my phone. Just don't take it into the bathroom."
    Zippy reached out and grabbed it. "Ha, ha. Funny man."
    "I think so." Crash grinned. "You remember her number, butter fingers?"
    "Yes, of course I remember her number." Zippy screwed up his mouth and shot Crash a look. "She's my sister, you dork."
    Crash shrugged. "Just asking. A man who hasn't learned after drowning not one but two phones in the shitter over the past six months might be a little challenged in the uh, area of mental capacity."
    "Whatever." Zippy pressed the phone to his ear. "Be quiet. It's ringing."
    While Zippy waited for his sister to answer, Crash took another sip of beer. He was starting to get excited about the det again.
    It would still be a hell of a fun time up north. Zip and his sister might very well be up to no good and playing matchmaker, but not even that could ruin this trip.  
    He just had to get through his workday tomorrow and then he'd be on his way. New York City had better watch out.

CHAPTER 3
    New York City
    "Trish, I'm so, so sorry I couldn't come with you today. Are you sure you're okay there in the city all alone?"
    "I'm fine, Dawn. Really. I've been to Manhattan by myself before. And my brother should be here any minute." Trish glanced at the clock in the dashboard of her car.
    "I still feel bad."
    "Well, don't. I'll just have to have fun with all the hot Marines on my own." Trish smiled as she heard Dawn's groan through the cell phone.
    "Don't remind me. I can't believe I'm missing Fleet Week for jury duty."
    "You're doing your civic duty." While Trish would be doing hers here in New York by supporting the troops—or at least ogling them. Her gaze tracked two sailors as they crossed the street. Well worth the hour and a half drive from home. Seeing her brother would be nice too.
    Dawn sighed. "That won't be much comfort while I'm sitting there bored to death in some courtroom and you're surrounded by hundreds of men in uniform."
    "I think it's more like thousands of men in uniform, actually."
    "Great. Rub it in some more, thanks. Crap. They're calling us back into the courtroom. I'll call and check in later. Text me if anything good happens. Oh, and send me a picture of some hot military guys so I have something to look at."
    "Yes, ma'am. Talk to you later." Trish disconnected the call.
    It definitely would have been much more fun if Dawn had been able to come but at least she'd have her brother, Danny.
    Her phone buzzed and she glanced down to see his name on the readout. Speak of the devil…
    She hit the button to answer. "I see you replaced your cell so you don't have to call me from your friend's phone anymore."
    "Yes, I did. And no teasing. I've had enough from him on that subject. Where are you?" he asked.
    "Where you told me to be. Parked along the curb in front of your ship, and hoping the cops don't chase me since I've been here for like twenty minutes already and this is a no parking zone."
    "I know. Sorry. They just cut us loose now. We'll be right down."
    "Okay. See ya."
    We. Trish had to wonder who Danny had with him. She supposed she'd find out soon enough.
    He wasn't right down as he'd promised, but about ten nerve wracking minutes later, as Trish kept one eye trained for parking enforcement and the police because she'd been standing in a no parking zone for half an hour, her brother and one other guy