Force of Habit: A Falcone & Driscoll Investigation Read Free

deodorant? Was any amount enough to cover this kind of flop sweat?
    Sandra opened the door. “As I said on the phone, I have an eleven o’clock appointment. I’ll only be able to give you fifteen minutes.”
    Giulia stepped carefully over the threshold—now would really be the wrong time to trip—and followed her through a cream-and-gold parlor into a small sewing room. Sandra sat in the only chair. To gain a moment, Giulia unzipped the Day-Timer.
    “Oh, no,” Sandra said. “I would prefer not to be quoted.”
    “Sure, uh, no problem.” The zipper stuck on the top corner. Leave it. When she looked up, Sandra hid a smirk a long second too late.
    “Would you like me to summarize, dear? You seem new at this.”
    Giulia stomped on her pride and attempted a sincere yet professional smile. “It’s my first time in the field.” Was that the right word? She’d heard it on TV. “I’m hoping to get promoted.” Lie number two. She could hear her former Superior General now.
    “How nice.” Sandra crossed her legs and ticked off points on her salon-perfect fingernails. “Blake will be on the Board of Directors of the company he works for before he’s forty. He’s sharp, ambitious, knows the right thing to say and the right time to say it. He’s building a network of business contacts. My guess is they’re using him exactly the way he’s using them.” She gave a half-smile. “Am I going too fast for you, dear?”
    “No, you’re fine.” Giulia cringed every time Sandra sneered. If she’d ever treated an erring student like this, karma was biting her in the butt.
    “Oh, good. I’m sure with a little practice you’ll be able to remember the important points.” Sandra straightened her silk cuffs. “Blake likes his women to look good and act submissive, yet to be cool and assured in a social setting.” She met Giulia’s eyes. “Did you require information on how he is in bed?”
    Dear Lord, get me out of here. “We, uh... no, no thank you.”
    “Blake always treated me with courtesy in public, but he liked complete control in public and private. I ended our relationship because of that. He also thought it was cute to call me ‘Sandy.’ He said I was his life-sized Barbie doll.” One hand clenched just for a moment. “You can see why the relationship failed. He focused only on the benefits he offered me. He refused to treat me as I deserved to be treated.” She glanced at her gold-rimmed watch and stood. “I’m afraid I have to end our interview. I hope it will help the future Mrs. Parker.”
    Giulia aimed hurry-up thoughts at Sandra as she preceded her through the living room. When Sandra opened the door, a tall young man stood there with a key poised to enter the lock.
    “Sandra. I didn’t know you had company.” The strength in his hard voice belied his tall, thin body.
    “Don, you’re five minutes early.”
    “You’re not dressed, Sandra.” He indicated his tight black T-shirt and black jeans.
    “I’m dressed for my ten-forty appointment.” Sandra looked from the young man to Giulia.
    Giulia took the cue and held out her hand. “Thank you for your time and trouble.”
    The Vision in Black took it. “My sister hasn’t introduced us. You are?”
    She swallowed. “Giulia Falcone.”
    “Ju-li-a.” He stretched out each syllable like he was tasting her name.
    Sandra turned on her mechanical smile. “I hope you get that promotion, dear. Are you ready, Don?”
    Don looked Giulia up and down. “You’re not staying? Too bad.”
    His eyes gave Giulia shivers—they were compelling and eerie at the same time. She pulled back on her hand and was not at all disappointed when he released it.
    The door closed behind them as she stepped carefully onto the sidewalk.
    They’re not watching you. Don’t turn around. Use the nun walk—smooth and controlled. Like you’re gliding.
    Safe inside the car, she yanked the stuck zipper and the pen flew onto the dashboard.
    “Argh!” She grabbed it