Police Protector. Dani Sinclair

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ striking blue eyes clouded. “I’m sorry I overreacted. It’s been a long day and there was no way I could know you were a cop when I intervened.”

      She still didn’t sound contrite.

      “We’re on the same side, Officer,” she added defiantly.

      “Detective.”

      She gave a negligent shrug.

      Lucan reached for her handbag. This woman knew how to press his buttons. Under her watchful gaze he removed the revolver. “You want to explain this?”

      Her frown twisted to annoyance. “I forgot it was in there.”

      Lucan waited. Even her sigh was angry. “It’s completely legal. I have permits to carry concealed, Detective. You’ll find them in my purse.”

      Lucan gritted his teeth, determined not to let her climb under his skin. The purse was so jammed with stuff he was surprised she could get it closed. No wonder it had felt like bricks when she hit him. The weapon was fully loaded. Beneath it sat a canister of pepper spray.

      “Expecting a war?”

      “I like to be prepared.”

      He held his temper along with her gaze. “You aren’t a cop.”

      “No, I told you, I’m a lawyer.”

      “Then you don’t have a permit to carry concealed in Maryland.”

      Irritation flashed in those bright blue eyes. “I’m an officer of the court, detective. I assure you all my paperwork is in order.”

      “Uh-huh. Well as an officer of the court, you should know the state of Maryland doesn’t recognize the right to carry concealed weapons for anyone outside of law enforcement.”

      If looks could burn, he’d be sizzling. It was her turn to grit perfectly even white teeth.

      “It was an oversight. When I left work I forgot the gun was in there or I would have taken it out.”

      He pulled out the pepper spray. “Boston must be rougher than I thought. Am I going to find a switchblade next?”

      “No!”

      “Good.” Lucan dug until he found the paperwork. A passport was there as well. That started a whole new set of alarm bells clanging.

      “Planning a trip out of the country?”

      “Yes. If you must know, my sister and I are taking her children on vacation this weekend. We’re flying to Bermuda.”

      “Uh-huh. In December. Right before Christmas.”

      “Can you think of a better time?”

      Lucan eyed her. “Does your sister have a husband?” Her gaze flickered. He pressed home his point. “Does he know about your vacation plans?”

      Her gaze dropped for an instant before challenging him once more. “That’s none of your business.”

      “It is if he has custody and no knowledge of your plans.”

      There was relief in her posture. “He doesn’t have custody. Milt’s her second husband. The children are all hers.”

      Bingo. This was a family dispute of some sort. Reason enough for the kid to run off. If it wasn’t for all the money the boy was flashing around, Lucan might be tempted to dismiss the situation. As it was, however…“Are your plane tickets in here as well?”

      “No. We haven’t booked our flight yet.” She flushed. “Okay, I know this sounds odd.”

      He kept his expression neutral. Suddenly the fight seemed to go out of her.

      “Look, something is wrong at my sister’s place. She was supposed to call me on Sunday to firm up our plans. She never called.”

      Concern clouded her features. Lucan tried to determine if it was real. He had the impression of genuine emotion, but how could he tell?

      “I haven’t been able to reach Casey all week. I wanted to come sooner but I had to finish a case before I could leave. You have my gun permits.”

      “Permits, plural?”

      “Yes.”

      From inside her purse he pulled out an envelope he’d shifted while looking for her wallet. Kyra Wolfstead was licensed to carry a concealed weapon in the state of Massachusetts and two neighboring states.

      He opened her bulging leather wallet and studied her driver’s license. The names matched. Her photo was crisp and clear. Lucan had a feeling cameras of any sort liked Kyra Wolfstead. He could understand their approval. If they’d met under different circumstances, he might approve as well.

      “I have business cards in there too,” she added.

      And a thick wad of cash that brought his head up sharply.

      “I didn’t want to waste time going to an ATM after I got here,” she explained before he could ask.

      Her tone was calm and brisk, but annoyance flashed once more. “We’re wasting time, Off—Detective. Casey has an ex-husband with a court injunction against him.”

      Which could easily be checked out and just might explain the arsenal and the passport. Lucan lifted one of the business cards and scowled. “This says you’re an insurance investigator.”

      She sighed. “I work for Dowlings Limited, as you can see. They are similar to Lloyds of London.”

      “I’ve heard of Dowlings. So are you an investigator or a lawyer?”

      “I’m both. I worked in international law for a time, which comes in handy with my current job. Many of our clients have places outside of the United States. Art objects and jewelry are often fenced in other countries. I know the laws and restrictions in many of those jurisdictions. Look, could we have this discussion later? I have an unusual job and it’s nice that you’re interested, but I’d like to go to my sister’s place and make sure Casey is okay. I’m deeply concerned.”

      Headlights speared them as an approaching car slowed. In the time they’d been talking, dusk had settled over the neighborhood. The driver of the oncoming car swung into the opposite lane on the narrow street to pass Kyra’s car, which was still sitting there with its engine running. A woman and two children stared curiously at them as they drove by. Lucan’s car was parked half a block away, and he’d left his radio inside.

      “Have a seat on the lawn under that tree.” He indicated an old elm with a wave of his hand. Kyra Wolfstead glared daggers. He raised a hand to forestall her next protest. “I need to move your car out of the middle of the street.”

      “For pity’s sake. The ground is freezing.”

      “I’ll hurry.”

      “You’d better.” She strode to the tree without waiting for assistance and folded gracefully СКАЧАТЬ