Monroe, Melody S. - Verdict (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Free

to ask my coworkers to pick up the slack at work.”
    “That’s good. Think of everything you need to do, but remember, I’ll have to make the arrangements. To the rest of the world, you’re dead.”

    * * * *

    After two more days trying to get Susan released from the hospital, followed by an arduous drive to Florida, Stone finally pulled into the safe house complex. The journey had been tough. Listening to Susan talk about her father’s death and how she tried to make him proud made him remember all too well his childhood. He wanted to assure her all would be well, but he didn’t want to start off with a lie.
    “So how do you like your new digs?” He tried to put as much pep as possible into his tone as he pointed toward the new two-story brick building with the freshly planted landscaping. He mentally thanked the man in charge of placement. The town house was a lot nicer than he’d expected, but then again, this was a top priority case.
    Susan rolled down the window, and the sweet smell of cut grass rushed in. He sneezed. Damn allergies.
    “Bless you.” She looked out the side window. “This looks similar to where I grew up.”
    In rural Virginia, where they had a lot of horse farms. He’d studied her background, including her success at Georgetown Law and in the courtroom. She was a very impressive woman, but also one who was lonely. “I’m glad.”
    Instead of the smile he’d expected, she leaned her head back against the car seat and closed her eyes. If misery had a face, it would be hers.
    “Why did we have to drive all the way to Tampa?” Her pouty lips barely moved. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but couldn’t you have found a place in, say, North Carolina?”
    He’d wondered when she’d ask. He opened the driver’s side door to take advantage of the warm cross breeze and swiveled toward her. “I wish we could have placed you somewhere closer, but we figured the farther you are from DC, the safer you and your family will be.”
    She opened her eyes. “I guess the fact someone broke into my office two days ago and stole the Caravello file clinched the decision. They don’t believe I’m dead despite all your efforts. Do they?”
    “Can’t be sure.”
    He’d been in the business long enough to know unless they caught the killer first, the man wouldn’t stop until she was dead.
    “Agent Watson?”
    “Stone. Please. Until this case is solved, we can’t have neighbors hear you call me ‘agent.’ It raises questions.”
    “Stone, then. If my mother and brother believed I died, why didn’t the killer?”
    “We can’t be sure what he knows. One of your coworkers could have decided to do some research on your death and taken the file.”
    “I can see Brian wanting to help find out who killed me.”
    “Let’s not dismiss the possibility the killer could have been at your house when the car exploded. He would have seen Anne-Marie get into the car instead of you and realized he’d killed the wrong woman.” Being blunt might unsettle her, but she deserved to know the truth. “We want to err on the side of caution.”
    “Good point.” She tightened her fists.
    Not only a classic beauty but smart, too. This independent woman was nothing like the scared, desperate victims he normally protected. Her constant questions and challenges kept him alert. He liked that. Even under the toughest of circumstances, she fought to gain control while maintaining her dignity. No doubt about it, Susan Chapman was one tough woman. And sexy, too, with her slim waist and impossibly long legs.
    He cleared his throat, annoyed where his mind had drifted, and pulled the key from the ignition. “The sooner you’re settled, the less suspicion we’ll bring to our doorstep.” He jumped out.
    After he removed the luggage from the trunk, he followed her up the brick walkway to the front door, her head held high. He just wished she didn’t have to sway her hips in such an enticing manner. A man with less