Obsession Read Free

change first if you want.”
    Toni shook her head. “Seriously, Brad, I really can't. I'm just too tired. Besides, Melissa will be home soon. She spent the night with Carrie last night, but she said she'd be home in time for dinner. Why don't you just come and eat with us? It'll be potluck, I'm afraid, but—”
    Brad interrupted her. “I've got a better idea. Why don't we pick up some Chinese food on the way home? Melissa loves it, and that way nobody will have to cook or wash dishes.”
    Toni smiled, grateful for Brad's thoughtfulness. It was one of the many things she loved about him. “You've got a date. Just let me clear a few things off my desk. It won't take long.”
    As Toni stood and reached out to pick up the files and notes from her desk, she spotted the open file on top and remembered what it was that she had been so engrossed in reading when Abe Matthews had interrupted her.
    “Julie Greene,” she said, picking up the file. “Something's just not right about this.”
    “What's not right? Who's Judy Greene?”
    “Julie Greene,” she answered, pointing to the scrap of paper with the bright red notation. “Look at this.”
    Brad leaned over Toni's shoulder and read the note out loud. “Eagle Lake, 6 A.M., Wednesday.” He straightened up and shrugged. “What's that supposed to mean?”
    “I'm not sure,” she said absently, still staring at the file. “But… that's where my dad was when he had his heart attack. Doesn't it seem a bit strange that this would be in one of Dad's client's files?”
    Brad shrugged again. “Not necessarily. Just because that's where your dad was when…” His voice caught and Toni felt his hand on her shoulder. “Honey, there are all sorts of reasons why that notation could be in the file. Eagle Lake is a very popular place around here, you know.”
    Toni nodded and looked up at her fiancé. “I know,” she said, her voice soft as she saw the compassion in his hazel eyes. A shock of sandy blond hair fell across his forehead, giving him a vulnerable look that belied the disciplined lawyer's mind that Toni so respected. In spite of herself, she smiled.
    Brad's response was immediate. Leaning down, he kissed her gently. “You look exhausted. Come on, let's go get that Chinese food and head over to your place.” He took the file from her hands and laid it on the desk, then lifted her to her feet and pulled her close, nuzzling her hair. His voice was husky. “There's nothing here that can't wait until tomorrow.”
    “Maybe,” she murmured. “I suppose. But… there's still something strange about this Julie Greene case. A missing teenage girl from Colorado…” She lifted her head and looked up at Brad. “How did her case end up in my dad's office, way out here in the Northwest? And why was this girl's grandmother so sure that Dad was about to solve this thing? How does all that tie in with Eagle Lake? I thought Dad's cases were all pretty tame. You know, simple civil cases. He never got involved with anything criminal or dangerous. I just don't get it—”
    Brad interrupted her with another kiss, then pulled back and gazed down at her. “You aren't supposed to get it,” he said. “Just because you have a license doesn't mean you're a detective, remember? Your dad was the detective. These were his cases, not yours. All you're supposed to do is tie together some loose ends and refer his clients to other agencies so we can get on with our plans. I know it's too soonafter losing your dad to set a wedding date, but you know I don't want to wait any longer than we have to. I'd been hoping for a summer wedding, but obviously that's not going to work. Maybe late fall or winter…?”
    Toni opened her mouth to protest, but Brad placed a finger against her lips. “I know what you're going to say. I've heard the arguments before, and like I said, with what's just happened with your dad, we need to wait a while longer. But, Toni, I've already waited almost ten