Officer Daddy by Jacqueline Diamond

Author:Jacqueline Diamond
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-08-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Leo caught Nora’s warning gaze. This must be a serious matter, as if he hadn’t already grasped that from the way Violet kept wringing her hands.

“She has something to discuss with us,” Nora said, as if they were all in this together. Whatever “this” might be.

“Sure.” Since Eleanor was in her office with the door closed, Leo offered them both seats in the waiting area. “What’s going on?”

Violet heaved a couple of long breaths, clearly working up her nerve. Gently, Nora started the discussion for her. “Violet talked to her ex-boyfriend about supporting the baby, but he refused.”

“This was in person or by phone?” Leo liked to get the whole picture.

“By phone.” Violet lifted her chin. “He hung up on me. Then he emailed my mother and threatened her.”

Mentally, Leo switched gears from friendly counselor to police officer. He took out a small pad he always carried. “What kind of threats?”

“That if I don’t give up my baby, he’ll hurt her business. Spread rumors that she sends poor-quality flowers.”

While blackmail was illegal, something so general might not quite rise to the level of a crime. “Did he threaten anything more specific? Arson, perhaps?”

Violet’s mouth opened in dismay. “Oh, no. Of course not.”

Still, the threats could escalate. Better track them down before that happened. “Did he send these emails from his own account and put his name on them?”

“My mother said he didn’t sign his name. Too big a coward. I don’t know what account he used,” the girl admitted. “My mom is very upset. She threatened to kick me out unless I go to an adoption attorney.”

Nora laid a reassuring hand on the teenager’s arm. “If you need a place to stay, I’ll help you find one. “

Leo still felt he hadn’t grasped the whole story. “Was he specific about how he planned to spread the rumors? Via internet, or word of mouth? Unless your ex-boyfriend has a business that orders a lot of flowers, I’m not sure why anyone would believe him.”

“It isn’t him, it’s his parents. The Hightowers. People would believe them,” she finished unhappily.

Now the picture came into focus. “Your boyfriend is Roy Hightower’s son?”

Violet nodded. “His name’s Gary.”

“It’s hard to believe the Hightowers would be involved in something like this.”

“The name sounds familiar,” Nora said. “Roy Hightower’s on the city council, isn’t he?”

“That’s right. He and his wife were at my brother’s wedding.” While Leo didn’t particularly like them, he couldn’t picture the couple stooping this low.

“They hate me.” Violet’s voice shook. “They don’t want anything to do with their own grandchild.”

Spreading rumors sounded like something a boy might do, but not his parents, no matter how much they disapproved of the relationship. Leo was reluctant to stir up trouble with a family that might be innocent.

Especially when they’re important people who could screw up your promotion?

He couldn’t let that consideration affect his judgment. “I’d like to see those emails. Let’s pay your mother a visit.”

The girl took a deep breath. “She’s at the shop. Saturday’s a busy day.

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