“Yeah,” he repeated.
“I’m sure this is arguable, but in my estimation, the worstkind of woman is the woman who makes a false allegation of rape, or attemptedrape.Every onewho does makes the ones who actuallyendure that nightmare have to travel a road that already is going to bearduous, one that’s so horrendous, the majority of victims refuse to even takethat path.”
Dutch felt the truth of that in the back of his throat andswung his eyes to Eddie and Hank.
“She’s right,” Hank said low.
“So that’s why no DNA was found,” Georgie rapped out.
“Yup,” Eddie said.
“She’s lying.Covering for the murderer,” Georgie spat.“Sheknows him.”
“Yup,” Hank said.
“The fuck?”Dutch murmured angrily.
“Where is this woman?”Georgie demanded.
All of the men looked to her, but it was only Dutch whoreached out and wrapped his fingers around her wrist.
Sparks had flown from her last night because she was pissedas shit at him.
It was not lost on a single man at that table she was aboutto explode, and she wanted to aim the grenade that was her at Carlyle’sneighbor.
“Take a breath,” he urged.
“Carlyle’s dad went over in the midst of a lovers’ spat or aconspirators’ fight or a bad guy argument because he thought a woman was beingharmed and he was the kind of man who would do something to put a stop to thatand he got dead because of it and thisbitch is not talking?”
He leaned her way.“Baby, take a breath.”
“How can the worst situation in the world get evenworse?”she demanded to know.
“We don’t know her story, Georgie.”
“I’m thinking I do, Dutch.She’s covering her and/or thisguy’s ass and Carlyle’s dad is dead.Benefit of the doubt, she was in a badsituation.Carlyle’s father still charged in, in order to save her from it andthe thanks he gets is her letting his murderer go free.”
“Get a lock on it, darlin’,” he ordered gently.
“No,” she snapped.
“Georgiana, you losing your mind on this woman is notgonnahelp Carlyle.”
She caught his eyes and stared into them, deep and for along time.
Then she took in a shuddering breath, tore her hand free andraised it toward a passing waitress.
“Margarita, double shot of tequila,” she ordered.
The waitress nodded.
Georgie then dipped a chip, ate it angrily, and talked whilemunching, muttering, “Fucking bitch.Fucking fuck her.”
“I see you’re over yourno-cursing-around-people-you-don’t-know gig,” he noted.
This time, she punched him in the arm.
He caught her around the back of her neck, pulled her tohim, and kissed her hard.No tongue, unfortunately.She still tasted good.
