“Yes, I do. A woman’s life is in danger.”
“Is that it? Is that what’s got you so worried?”
She didn’t understand. “Wouldn’t you be worried if a woman’s life was in your hands?”
“Come on, now,” he chided. “You’re not God. You’re an assistant attorney general. This is your job. You do your best, and you feel bad if your best isn’t enough, but you’re satisfied to know that you tried.”
“It’s not enough just to try!”
“Why not? You can’t run the world.” He paused long enough to take in her appalled expression. “Is that it? Is that what you want? Is this case some kind of stepping stone for you?”
“No.”
“Maybe you’re aiming for a promotion. If you show your grit on a big one, the AG will move you up.”
She shook her head in an attempt to negate what he said as well as express her disbelief that he was saying it at all. Jared Snow was supposed to be compassionate, trusting, understanding. He was not supposed to be cynical.
“Maybe you’re aiming to be AG yourself. Or is it the governor you’re trying to impress?” he asked.
Hurt, Savannah rose from the cabinet. She put a hand to her churning stomach. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He leaned back on one elbow. His pose was lazy, his eyes anything but. “Enlighten me.”
She did just that. “I have no political aspirations, none at all, and as far as climbing higher in the AG’s office, I’ve already climbed as high as I want to go.” She paused for a breath. “But you’re right. There’s a good reason why I’m desperate when it comes to this case.” She was trembling inside, doing her best not to let it show, not quite making it. “The woman who was kidnapped happens to be a dear friend of mine. I want her back, and I want her back well.”
The echo of her words blended into the background music as they sank into Jared’s consciousness. His expression lost its smug challenge and grew sober. Rising, he went to her.
The first time he touched her she pulled back. He opened both hands wide, held them near her arms, then touched her again. This time she didn’t flinch.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I had to know.” The warmth of his hands penetrated two layers of navy knit. “I have a thing about politics. And about ruthlessly ambitious women. I’m sorry.”
Savannah struggled to regain her composure, but Jared’s nearness seemed to coax out more words. “She’s been a friend of mine since high school. On some level, I’ve always felt responsible for her. Maybe because she never had much and I had so much. Maybe because she met her husband through my family and if she hadn’t been his wife, she wouldn’t have had a ransom worth demanding.” As she looked up into his face, her throat grew tight. “I haven’t seen Meggie as much as I should have lately, but I do love her.”
Lifting a hand, Jared touched her cheek. His fingers were large but gentle, his expression curious. She wanted to cry.
Taking a tremulous breath, she glanced at the ceiling. Then she stepped back, away from his touch. “I’m really stronger than this.” Averting her gaze, she looked through the glass wall to the outer room. “It must be the hour.”
“You look tired.”
She gave a short, high-pitched laugh. “Why is everyone always telling me that?”
“Maybe because it’s true. And they care.”
She looked at him. “You don’t care. Not in that way. You don’t know me.” But as he looked back at her, she wondered. While his features remained strong, there was a look in his eyes that was so intimate and touching that either he knew her as well as anyone, or everything about him was a lie.
Not up to deciding which was true at that moment, she sighed. “Anyway. You’re right. I am tired.” With her arms stretched straight in her pockets again, she took another step toward the door. But Jared was turning away, this time to fade Randy Travis out and Rosanne Cash in. As soon as he came back to her, she said, “Could I take a look at the records of those calls?”
“Now?”
“Tomorrow.”
“It’ll take me a few hours to get them together.”
“That’s okay. If you let me know when they’re ready, I’ll come by.” She looked at the door, then at the two large speakers, then at the control panel, and asked hesitantly, “Can I leave?”
Crossing the sound booth, he pushed the door open. She passed him, went to her briefcase, and removed a business card from inside.
“My number,” she said, handing him her card.
