Hard Case Read Free

ever thinks to doubt and who wield a lot of power that can be most easily tempted to step over the line.”
    Troy thought about that, but Emily continued, her tone vibrating with the passion she clearly had on the topic.
    “It usually starts for a perfectly good reason. But after you’ve stepped over that line once, another case comes along, and then it’s twice. It’s three times and it becomes a very slippery slope.”
    “We’ve seen it before,” Fin agreed, glancing at Troy. “And how complicated such situations can become in a short period of time.”
    Troy nodded. Watching Fin and Emily together he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a life partner on whom he could rely on so fully. Despite the seriousness of their situation, Troy found his gaze sliding to Steven. He had remained silent through their discussion as he prepared the cream for Emily. He appeared deep in thought though, and Troy wondered where his mind was at.
    “I still don’t think we can know whether this was a plot to kill Emily or a need to get rid of Keyton that’s gone awry,” Troy said. When Fin looked ready to argue with him, he continued hastily. “I agree this situation is dangerous for Emily, and I think the two of you should lay low—or even head out for a week away in the country somewhere. Clearly you’re not safe here for now. But this whole situation is murky. I can look into it while you’re both far away from here.”
    “I’m not sure I’m comfortable writing James off at the moment. Maybe he just went mad for a moment and lost his temper, or—” She shrugged when Fin shot her an outraged look. “Or whatever. But it’s clear we can’t stay here in London, at least not for a while.”
    Steven smiled at her comment but remained silent. Troy enjoyed seeing the mirth shining in his gaze. Distracted by the nurse, Troy didn’t even notice how the quiet filled the room for a moment. Seeming to take the opportunity, Steve handed a glass of water to Emily and held out two pills for her to take.
    “Excellent. Painkillers,” she murmured. Emily took them with a promptness that told Troy she must genuinely be hurt. Steven’s caring manner was emphasized in his solicitous moves and had been evident in the gentle but thorough way he’d examined her earlier. Troy felt himself sidetracked again, watching those hands as Steven took the empty glass back and started to fill a small bottle with a handful more of the pills.
    Shaking his head, Troy tried to drag his mind back. He needed to focus if he were to investigate this on his own. A small spark of guilt fluttered through him. Troy had to acknowledge a part of him also wanted Fin and Emily to leave, so he could ask Steven to meet him later on, perhaps for dinner later tonight. Maybe once that was squared away, he’d be able to focus. The silence had lengthened now, and Troy cleared his throat, determined to get his mind back on track.
    “What we really need to find is the link between James and Marshall,” he said. “Maybe they’ve had dealings together in the past, some sort of business agreement that went sour. There has to be something. I promise I’ll dig into it, find out what’s going on and follow through on it.”
    “I know I shouldn’t interrupt,” Steven inserted in his low, calm voice. “This really isn’t any of my business, but from what you’ve all just said about this man James, I can’t imagine Keyton having anything to do with him—not in a business or personal sense.”
    Troy snapped his head up and glanced at him. Something in his tone indicated his words weren’t just a casual observation or guess. There was weight behind them, a firmness of knowing, not postulating. Troy connected the dots to the most logical conclusion. He raised his eyebrows in surprise.
    “Do you mean you know Marshall would never knowingly work in an underhand manner? Be in collusion with someone like this James fellow? How are you connected to