The reason I signed on for this career was all about getting even in my own way.
“Sure, Alexia,” Jessica said quietly, not even bothering to glance up at me as she’d normally do. Instead, she was staring at her computer screen, the horrible look on her face disturbing.
I moved behind her, glancing over her shoulder, a tickle of ice drifting across my arms. “That’s the missing attorney.”
Images of the morning news show popped into my mind all over again. I had to remind myself once again that the killer was behind bars and had been. He couldn’t hurt anyone ever again.
“Yes. Ashley Bordeaux was my sister’s roommate in college. They were close. Ashley even spent a summer with us. I can’t believe she’s missing.” Jessica was obviously deeply disturbed.
“Do you think it has something to do with that asshole boyfriend of hers?”
Jessica tossed her pen. “He is a jerk, but no. My sister tried to tell her that more than once, but I don’t think he has an abusive bone in his body. He’s too squeaky clean. You can tell by his signature yacht style clothing.”
“You should know by now looks can be deceiving.” My mind drifted to several cases I’d had over the years since becoming an attorney. Enough that I’d learned a long time ago to trust my instincts. My gut had never steered me wrong. When I paid attention.
The girl was smiling in the photograph, which was Ashley’s professional picture taken for the firm she worked for. She was a lovely girl with long dark hair. She looked a little like me.
Why did another icy shudder skitter down my spine?
She groaned and flicked off the screen. “You’re right, but he swears he hasn’t seen her. I’m so worried about her.”
“Well, hopefully, she’s just cooling off a little. Now, about that meeting.”
“Oh, yes, of course. I’ll send you a confirmation email.”
“Perfect.”
“Oh, I sent you something else via email.” Her demeanor had completely changed. A little sly around the edges.
“What have you done?”
“Moi?” Shrugging, she returned to whatever she’d been working on before, purposely tossing me a few looks. She’d been my assistant for almost three years, the best damn paralegal in the business. We’d also gotten very close personally, the cases we worked on together taking a significant toll on our psyches.
There wasn’t a day that went by when we weren’t trying to rationalize how the court system could all but forget about the victims, shoving them aside as if what they’d gone through had been of no consequence. I’d committed my life to working within the confines of the law, fighting against evil.
Jessica was right there with me, a strong fighter. Plus, she reminded me of someone I’d known a very long time ago.
Someone I hadn’t been able to protect.
“Yes, you. Don’t forget who signs your paycheck.”
“Technically, that’s your boss.”
I rolled my eyes. “Talk or I won’t sign off on your next vacation days.”
She rose to her feet, casually swinging her hips back and forth as she moved around the end of her desk. When she slid her hand into my open briefcase, I lifted an eyebrow. I should have known what she was surfing for.
As soon as she pulled the book I’d brought with me into the light, I tried to snatch it from her fingers, but she jerked it away. “Give me that.”
“Not yet. I can see why you always carry one of his books around. He’s a hot-looking man. I hear he’s a very eligible bachelor too. In case you’re interested.”
“I’m not. Men are the last thing on my mind. You sound like my best friend.” I grabbed the book, offering her a distinctive primal growl. “He worked on some amazing FBI cases back in the day. I’ve learned a lot from his books.”
A slow and steady smile crossed her face.
“Not like that. To help with the ones we’re working on.”
“Whatever you say. Anyway, glance at your emails. I still think he’s hot.”
