Like No One Else. Maureen Smith

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СКАЧАТЬ for two years,” Naomi chimed in, “we were confident that working at a top-tier law firm like Thorne and Associates had given her the skills and experience we were looking for. And we were right.”

      “You said earlier that no one had ever complained about Maribel,” Paulo said.

      “Not to our knowledge,” Naomi said, glancing at her husband for confirmation. Ignacio shook his head.

      “So you didn’t know of any conflicts she may have had with coworkers?” Paulo clarified. “No formal complaints filed against her with human resources?”

      Naomi’s brows furrowed together. “I don’t think so. I believe that’s something Ted would have shared with us. You’re welcome to double-check with him tomorrow, but I’m fairly certain that the answer to your question is no. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that Maribel was a model employee.”

      Ignacio was frowning at Paulo. “Are you suggesting that one of Maribel’s colleagues may have killed her to settle a vendetta?”

      “I’m not suggesting anything,” Paulo said mildly. “But I can’t rule out the possibility. You know that.”

      Ignacio and Naomi exchanged worried glances. The idea that one of their own employees could be a cold-blooded murderer was unthinkable. Paulo didn’t want to believe it, either, but it was his job to explore any and all angles, no matter how unsavory.

      “Kathleen told Ted that there was writing on the wall,” Naomi said faintly. “The word liar written in blood. Is that true, Paulo?”

      He hesitated, then nodded grimly. “I’m going to ask both of you, as well as Ted Colston and Kathleen Phillips, not to discuss specifics of the case with anyone else. The press is gonna be camped out at your office building all week. Please instruct your employees not to talk to reporters. Ask them to refer all media inquiries to the Houston Police Department.”

      Ignacio nodded. “Our public relations office will be issuing a statement to that effect tomorrow morning.”

      “Good.” Paulo paused. “I would also recommend sending out a companywide memo to employees urging them to be vigilant at all times.”

      Naomi’s eyes widened fearfully. “Oh my God. You don’t think this was an isolated incident? You think someone may have targeted Maribel because she works at our law firm?”

      “I don’t know,” Paulo admitted. “It’s possible. Your firm has represented some controversial clients in the past, and your attorneys have successfully litigated cases that undoubtedly angered the losing side. We have to consider the possibility that Maribel’s murder was someone’s way of retaliating against the company. Which might explain why liar was written on the wall.”

      “Jesus,” Ignacio muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. “What a damned nightmare.”

      Naomi gazed imploringly at Paulo. “But it’s just a theory, right? You don’t have any evidence to support the idea that Maribel was deliberately targeted by a former plaintiff?”

      “No, I don’t. All I have at this point are a lot of unanswered questions. When I talk to Colston tomorrow, I’ll ask him about some of his most recent cases, see if that might provide any potential leads. It’s a start.”

      As Naomi and Ignacio reached for each other’s hands, instinctively seeking a physical connection, their wedding rings’ light caught the firelight.

      “I’m glad you’re in charge of the investigation,” Naomi said quietly to Paulo. “I wish to God this awful tragedy hadn’t happened, but it comforts me to know that you’re on the case, doing everything you can to find Maribel’s killer.”

      “I’ll do my best,” Paulo said grimly, “but I can’t make any promises.”

      “Of course. We don’t expect you to.” Naomi glanced at her slim gold wristwatch. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you stay here for the night? Daniela’s flying in tonight and would be thrilled to see you when she gets home.”

      “Where is she?”

      “Attending a conference in New Mexico. She switched to an earlier flight after I called to tell her about Maribel. Angela and Rebecca were tied up this evening and couldn’t make it over here, but they’ll be at the office tomorrow.” Naomi paused, lips pursed thoughtfully. “Do you still keep a change of clothes in the trunk of your car for surveillance duty?”

      “Yeah,” Paulo said, and immediately realized his mistake.

      “Great! Then you can just get dressed here in the morning and head out with us to the office. I’m going to help Lydia prepare your room,” Naomi announced, and before Paulo could open his mouth to argue, she rose from the sofa and strode purposefully from the room.

      Paulo stared after her in amused disbelief for a moment, then looked at Ignacio, who merely lifted one shoulder in a helpless shrug.

      “I didn’t even say yes,” Paulo muttered.

      Ignacio grinned. “Since when has that ever stopped her?”

      Paulo was running, trying to keep pace with the barking dog streaking through the wooded forest. The night air was thick and suffocating. The moon hung full and bright overhead, threading silver through the dense canopy of trees. Broken branches, exposed roots, and moss-covered rocks littered the ground, slowing his progress. But he kept running, lungs burning, heart thudding in his chest. He was too close to stop now.

      The hound’s barking had grown louder, more agitated. The animal had found something.

      And then Paulo saw it. A woman’s nude body.

      Swearing under his breath, he knelt beside the crumpled form. Thick black hair had fallen over the woman’s face; even in the darkness, Paulo could see that the hair was matted with blood. He reached out and carefully turned the body over. The tangled hair fell away to reveal Maribel Cruz’s face, eyes wide and staring sightlessly, mouth open in a scream no one would have heard out there in the forest. Her throat had been viciously slashed.

      As Paulo reached for her, the dog that had led him here gave a low warning growl that brought Paulo’s head up. The hound stood rigid as a statue, staring alertly into the shadowy trees. Paulo’s skin prickled, the muscles in the back of his neck tightening. He scanned the dark woods. Though he saw nothing, he sensed another presence nearby.

      A malevolent presence.

      Watching him.

      As Paulo’s hand eased toward his holstered gun, the woman on the ground suddenly moaned. Startled, Paulo looked down. Instead of Maribel Cruz, he found himself staring into the face of Tommie Purnell.

      He recoiled, his gut twisting savagely in protest. No!

      Without warning Tommie’s dark eyes snapped open. “Help me, Paulo,” she whispered. “Please help—”

      “Paulo? Are you awake?”

      Paulo lurched upright in bed, violently dislodging the hand that had been resting on his shoulder. His heart hammered painfully against his rib cage, choking the air from his lungs. Perspiration dampened his skin.

      “Are СКАЧАТЬ