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Combing his hands through his hair, he sighed. He didn’t want to get into all this. They didn’t have time, but before he enlisted Lacey’s help he had to convince her he deserved it.
“Lacey, Dr. B was already involved in this mess.” He plucked her hand out of her pocket and rubbed his thumb in the center of her palm. “I referred my brother to Dr. Buonfoglio precisely because I knew he did that kind of work.”
Her hand jerked in his. “Dr. B changed criminals’ faces? Why? Why would he do something like that?”
“For Abby. He did it for Abby.” He felt like scum playing the sympathy card, but he had to get through to her. One thing he’d discovered about Lacey Kirk was if she deemed you worthy, she’d brave the fires of hell to help you.
Shaking her head, she blinked her eyes. “What do you know about Dr. B’s daughter?”
“I know it’s expensive to keep her in that group home.”
“Oh, my God, he did do it for the money.”
“He did it for his daughter.” He grabbed her other hand and pulled her toward him, a sharp pain lancing his chest. “A man will do just about anything for his child. Don’t judge him, Lacey.”
“In the end, how did Dr. B’s criminal behavior help Abby? He’s dead.” Her mouth formed a thin, obstinate line.
She’d just appointed herself judge, jury and executioner, although someone else had handled that last job for her. She may have a boatload of sympathy, but she reserved it for those who earned it, like her patients. Could he earn her sympathy?
He squeezed her hands. “Look, we could debate this all night, but there’s a dead woman in the bedroom and we have to call the cops.”
“I’m glad you recognize that.” She shrugged out of his grasp and reached into her purse for her cell phone.
He snatched the phone from her hand. “But first I’m asking for your help.”
Her jaw hardened as she made a grab for her phone, but he held it above his head out of her reach.
“Who the hell do you think you are, Dr. Perfect?” Her brows snapped together, an angry flush rushing into her cheeks.
The phone almost slid from his grip. So that’s what she thought of him. “That’s just it, Lacey. I’m not perfect, and neither are you or Dr. B or anyone. Even if you won’t help me, just give me a few minutes to search Jill’s place.”
“Search for what?” She waved her arms around the room. “The bad guys already did that, and if they found what they wanted, your brother’s toast, anyway.”
He dropped the phone, shoulders slumping under the heavy weight he’d been carrying more years than he cared to remember. Was he too late? Had the situation already slipped out of his control?
Lacey gasped and took his face in her hands. “Nick, I’m so sorry. What a stupid, insensitive thing to say, and I’m supposed to be the caring hospice nurse. If my teachers heard me, they’d cashier me right out of the program. I know all about hauling brothers who make bad choices out of trouble. Search away. Let me know when you’re done, and we’ll call the police. There’s nothing anyone can do for Jill now, anyway.”
And just like that, he got Lacey Kirk, crusader for justice, on his side without even trying. He kissed her mouth and pulled out a pair of rubber gloves from his pocket. He ignored her wide eyes, not bothering to determine if her shock came from the kiss or the gloves, and skirted the sofa to search through the papers on the floor.
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