The Baby Claim

Author:Catherine George
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 1999-03-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

THE office was vast, with a panoramic view of the Thames on both sides. Daniel Armstrong rose from behind a large, cluttered desk as she went in, and drew himself up to his full, intimidating height. But courtesy of the new shoes Joss was only a few inches shorter, and stood as erect as he, her eyes unwavering as he motioned her to the chair in front of the desk. Joss sat down with composure, taking mental notes as she looked at the room. The walls were entirely of glass, with the view for sole ornament. The desk was modern and functional, as was the leather sofa along one side of the room, and the entire office was in such stark contrast to the conventional comfort of the house in Kew it was hard to believe the same man inhabited both environments. Dan was wearing a dark city suit with a plain white shirt and rather flamboyant tie, as usual, but fatigue smudged the slanted eyes fixed on her face.

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked as he resumed his seat. ‘I’m surprised you were able to work today. You looked like death when I left yesterday afternoon.’

‘I felt it,’ Joss agreed. ‘But I woke up this morning feeling so much better it seemed pointless to stay at home.’

‘Nothing comes between you and the job, of course. I hope this Jack Ormond appreciates your enthusiasm,’ he said without inflection, and leaned back in his seat.

‘I doubt it,’ she said bitterly, and looked at him in appeal. ‘I didn’t want to do this, Dan.’

He smiled mirthlessly. ‘I’m sure you didn’t.’

‘I never thought for a moment you’d agree.’ She met his eyes. ‘Why did you?’

He shrugged. ‘I might have refused, as usual, if we hadn’t met again yesterday.’

‘Which doesn’t answer my question.’

His eyes hardened. ‘There’s something I need to know.’

Joss sat very still. ‘What is it?’

Dan’s mouth tightened. ‘Why the hell did you ask me to come round so urgently that night?’

She stared at him blankly. ‘I didn’t. It was Thursday. I wasn’t expecting you.’

‘Think back,’ he said harshly. ‘I was out of the office until late that day. I got back to an urgent message saying that Miss Hunter needed to see me immediately.’

‘I didn’t leave the message, Dan,’ she said flatly. ‘Whoever took it got it wrong.’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘You expect me to believe that?’

‘Yes. I do.’ Joss lifted her chin. ‘You always approved of my honesty, Dan. Besides, why should I lie?’

‘It’s a question I’ve asked myself a hundred times.’ Dan’s mouth twisted. ‘In the circumstances I was surely the last person you wanted to walk in on you—’

‘Actually, you’re wrong about that.’

He raised a disbelieving eyebrow. ‘You surprise me. Unless you wanted an audience for your reunion with the former lover. I assume that’s who it was?’

‘It was Peter, yes. He rang the bell, I thought it was you, and—’

‘Spare me the rest,’ he shot at her. ‘I saw what happened for myself, heard the little choking

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