Suspicion of Guilt Read Free Page B

Two houses, larger than the four-bedroom Victorian home she currently owned, each providing a home for ten, plus a house mother of sorts. Denni would then serve as a paid coordinator for all the houses.
    She wanted it so badly she could taste it. Like a craving for milk chocolate or veal parmesan with sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese. It just had to be God’s will.
    “So, the girls…”
    Detective Corrigan’s voice brought her back to themoment. The proverbial fly in the ointment. This guy’s suspicions could blow everything sky-high. She had to find a way to convince him to point his investigation away from the girls.
    Denni watched him as his gaze perused the five eight-by-ten photographs arranged on the mantel above the stone fireplace.
    “What about the girls?” Defenses raised, Denni narrowed her gaze and geared up for a fight.
    “They all look so innocent. You’d never know from these pictures that one of them could be responsible for the mishaps around here.”
    “They look innocent because they are innocent.”
    “We’ll see.”
    “I don’t understand why you’re so sure one of my girls is responsible for these things, Reece. Again, what would they possibly have to gain?”
    He lifted his eyebrow and she felt herself blush. “Detective Corrigan, I mean.”
    “Hey, don’t worry about it. Reece is fine.” He gave her a shiny, white-toothed grin. “And I’m not so sure it’s one of them. Just checking out all of the possibilities. Denni.”
    She smiled back, trying to calm her racing pulse. “First-name basis, eh? Doesn’t that seem a little friendly considering our positions? I shouldn’t have initiated it.”
    “Maybe I like friendly.” His eyes captured hers and held. Denni couldn’t breathe. With every fiber of her being she wanted to believe that Reece truly found her appealing. But just as quickly, reason struck a dissonant chord and her chest tightened. He hadn’t shown the slightest interest in her over the course of the three-month investigation, so why now? All of a sudden hewas softening his stance about the girls. Pretending he wasn’t so sure it was one of them when he’d never even considered anyone else before today.
    She folded her arms. “All right, Corrigan. Just what are you trying to pull here?”
     
    Reece couldn’t help but grin at Denni, face twisted into a fierce scowl and her feet planted on the floor as though she were digging in for the fight of her life.
    “I’m not trying to pull anything. Can’t a guy think you’re cute and want to get to know you better?” He gave her another smile and watched her closely, looking for a crack in her armor.
    She sniffed. “Oh, sure. You think I’m a real cutie, don’t you?” She shoved her hands onto her nicely rounded hips. “I’m exactly the same as I have been since you started slithering around here and you never looked twice before. As a matter of fact, I’ve recently put on about ten stress pounds. Real attractive, huh?”
    Actually, it was. It gave her a softer, curvier look that kept him fighting to keep his eyes focused above her neck. This time he lost the battle and gave her a once-over. Three months of weekly or more visits had taken its toll on his reserve. Denni Mahoney was definitely under his skin.
    She frowned and sent him a dismissive wave before he could voice his opinion. “It doesn’t matter. I know what you’re up to. Trying to get in on my good graces so that you have better access to the girls. Well, just forget it. And you know what? You can just leave.” She pointed to the door.
    Okay, so maybe he should have eased into the new strategy. Although, he did still have an ace in the hole. “I’m not going anywhere just yet.”
    “You are if I say so.”
    “I came here to pump out your basement, and I don’t plan to leave until I do it.”
    “Because I’m so attractive you mean? You just can’t help but be my knight in shining armor?”
    Before he could answer, two of Denni’s