Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Author:Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, azw3
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2010-11-08T23:00:00+00:00

When they finally reached Minneapolis and got on the road south toward Grand Valley, silence blanketed the vehicle. Laney studied Noah out of the corner of her eye. His gaze was intent on the ribbon of highway. Both hands gripped the steering wheel as if it might attempt to spring away from him at any moment. A muscle in his jaw jumped from time to time.

“Did we have an FBI watcher on the plane?” she asked. “I can’t tell like you do.”

He glanced at her, sober-faced. “An agent followed us to the gate, but stayed behind. One was noticeably absent when we debarked, but I suspect they’re ahead of us at our destination. They’re going to want to see if our perp makes a run at you again.”

“I don’t imagine Agent Burns is any too happy that you’re in the picture.”

Noah cracked a smile. “That’s Supervisory Special Agent Burns to you.” His tone mimicked the agent.

Laney laughed. “You already know how I met the guy and why I don’t like him. You obviously have a history with him, too. Care to share?”

Noah’s nostrils flared and the smile faded.

Laney looked down. She’d trodden on forbidden territory. “Sorry. That was nosy.”

He shook his head. “No, it was a fair question from someone in your position. You should be aware of any history that might affect my performance on this case.”

Laney’s fingers curled around the seat edge. That’s right, she was only a client to him. “No need to explain. Agent Burns is the sort of person who would rub anyone raw.” And she needed to quit expecting Noah to open up to her. She was constantly setting herself up for disappointment that way.

“He got my fiancée killed.”

Noah’s quietly spoken words reverberated in Laney’s ears. “He what?” She stared at him.

“I think he figures it the other way around. But then, I blame myself, too.” He heaved a sigh.

Laney groaned. This must be the case where he’d told her “the wheels came off” and “someone died.” Was that person his fiancée? How horrible! No wonder he’d no longer had the stomach for the P.I. business. What a miracle he’d taken her case.

“Do you remember hearing about the Halliday kidnapping around six years ago?” he asked.

“Who doesn’t? A wealthy media mogul’s seven-year-old daughter was taken right out of their heavily guarded Minneapolis lake home. National news went on and on about the incident.” Laney gasped. “I remember your name being mentioned once or twice toward the end of the sad ordeal, but nothing about Burns.”

Noah snorted. “The FBI likes to keep the names of field agents out of public awareness. They issue statements through staff hired for that purpose. But Burns was the lead investigator.”

“Didn’t they figure the nanny was in on the conspiracy to get the ransom?”

“A couple of problems with that information. First,” Noah lifted a finger from the steering wheel, “the ransom demand was a farce to cover the real crime, and second,” he lifted another finger, “the nanny was innocent.”

Tumblers clicked into place in Laney’s mind.

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