Murder Mix-Up by Lisa Phillips

Author:Lisa Phillips
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-11-27T15:23:01+00:00

* * *

Declan knocked on the front door. Anna had called ahead, strategically not mentioning the fact cops had been on the street all night and confirmed Bill Frawley’s daughter was willing to speak with them. That was a start. He figured if it was him in her place he’d have chosen now to take a vacation, considering the alternative was to be drawn into an investigation.

It’d been hard enough being a kid with his dad getting arrested. All he’d had to deal with was questions and comments at school. He didn’t want to know what it would be like to be an adult and face the fact a close relative was a criminal.

Beth Frawley opened the front door of her new-looking town house. The rent was probably exorbitant. But then, wasn’t that happening everywhere these days?

Her gaze lifted as she took in Declan. “NCIS?”

He glanced at Portia. “This is Special Agent Portia Finch, NCIS. I’m Declan Stringer, Secret Service.” They both flashed credentials at her.

“Oh...” Beth said, studying the badges. “Did my father threaten the president again?” Even while she asked, the young woman stepped back and opened the door all the way.

“Again?” If he’d done it before, Secret Service intelligence would have noted the threat. Serious enough threats warranted further action. To the point that if the president was coming to town, those who had made a threat would receive a visit from the advance team.

Portia followed her down the short hall to a living room with a slipcovered old couch and two beanbags. Toddler blocks and storybooks littered the floor and a sippy cup peeked out from under a frayed cushion.

Declan stayed by the TV while Beth and Portia took a seat. Beth brushed crumbs from the couch. “I just put Samuel down for his morning nap.”

Portia smiled. “How old is he?”

“Eight months next week.” Beth relaxed into the couch. “Light of my life.”

“Has your father met Samuel?”

“Is that your subtle way of asking me if he’s been here recently?”

Portia shrugged. She’d successfully put the woman at ease, and he didn’t think that had backfired. Not completely.

“He’s seen Samuel a couple of times,” Beth said. “But I told him not to come anymore unless he’s sober.”

Portia nodded. “My father was an alcoholic, as well. He went to meetings, did that whole thing. He was dry nearly fifteen years before he died. But the damage still killed him.”

The look in her eyes made Declan wonder what the whole story was. And if she would ever tell it to him. Portia seemed content to keep her own confidence, though she’d started to open up to him in the car.

A long-distance relationship wasn’t what he wanted, but he couldn’t deny he was attracted to her. He needed to shut that down before it got worse. Especially considering the fact it seemed like she didn’t have anything but professional politeness to give him.

They weren’t a team.

There couldn’t be anything between them.

Portia said, “Do you have any idea where your father or your uncle Eric might be?”

“Eric is crazy.

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