Page 13 of Big Bad Wolfe

Zane’s frown deepened. “Congressman Wade Reynolds? The Wade Reynolds who’s running for President?”

“Yes. They’d been involved for several years. He claimed his marriage was in name only, he and his wife didn’t sleep together, they were on the verge of separating, blah, blah you know the usual song and sidestep. Then remember last year, his wife was diagnosed with a non-cancerous brain tumor?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, even though the surgery was successful and his wife is fine now—except being restricted from driving—Wade’s affair with Deb would’ve looked even worse under those conditions, especially with two teenage daughters depending on him. And with fed-up voters flocking to the polls determined to oust the dirty-old-boys network, how could he risk it?”

Zane shook his head. “That’s a damned long leap to Murder One. Why wouldn’t he just break it off, pay her off?”

Jillian leapt to her feet, paced the kitchen. “Dammit, Deb wasn’t some whore to be used and then paid for services rendered! She truly loved the ratbag! And sheneverwould’ve betrayed him, which makes killing her even more stupid and senseless!”

“I didn’t mean— I just—” He held up his hands. “You honestly believe Reynolds would resort to murder to protect his political ambitions?”

She spun, tortured lavender-blue eyes boring into his. “It’s not like it’s never been done before, right? And it’s the only thing that makes sense. Two weeks before she died, they had a blistering fight. I don’t know what it was about, because Deb refused to tell me. I suspect he wanted to break it off and was afraid she’d be bitter and angry, and blab.”

He clenched his jaw as the implications hit home. “Does Reynolds know thatyouknow about their affair?”

“No. Deb assured him she never mentioned it to anyone. But we were each other’s sounding boards and mutual support system … we told each other everything. Of course she told me.”

“What did the investigation reveal? Didanyevidence turn up?”

“Like I said, the ‘investigation’ was a joke. And you can bet Reynolds was pulling strings behind the scenes to ensure the cops didn’t delve too deep. He’s the type to have influential officials in his pocket. But no, there were no fingerprints, or incriminating letters or emails. He never came to her place anyway, Deb always got a sitter and met him in different discreet, hidden locations.” She hesitated. “No traces of DNA other than her own were found. But Iamgoing to figure out what happened, and Iwillslam that bastard’s cell door shut with my own hands.”

His gut knotted. “Jillian, you realize if you start digging into this and what you suspect is true, you might as well paint a target on your back.”

Those extraordinary eyes blazed violet fire. “I’m not about to sit around on my ass and let Reynolds get away with murdering my best friend!”

“And what about Casey?”

“Casey deserves justice for his mother! He was there that night, sleeping and helpless. If Reynolds had wanted to hurt him …” She gulped. “But he didn’t. Casey will be fine.”

“Even if he loses both of his mothers?”

Jillian put her back to him, leaned on the counter and dropped her head. Her slender frame was trembling violently. “Zane,” she whispered. “Please,please.You’re the only one who can help me.”

Zane’s body was already up and moving before his brain had time to reconsider. He’d never been physically demonstrative, but Jillian Ramsay roused every protective instinct—and what scant few nurturing genes—he possessed.

He wrapped his arms around her, and she turned to face him. Burrowing into his chest, she uttered a quiet, distressed sob, quickly bitten off. That small sound slid right under the Kevlar armor around his heart.

“It’s going to be all right. Everything will be all right, Jillian. But I want you to promise me you’ll leave the investigating to the pros.”

“I can’t do that.”

“You can, and you will.”

Zane’s smoky voice in Jillian’s ear sent startled shivers zipping down her backbone and pebbled her nipples. Having his big, warm strength wrapped around her flooded her with a rush of assurance … and molten need. She looked up into deep, melted-chocolate eyes, and the guarded longing in them squeezed her heart.

It seemed like the most natural thing in the world to raise on tiptoe and touch her lips to his.

Firm.

Warm.

Compelling.

He jolted, inhaled sharply. Then his embrace tightened and one broad palm skimmed up her spine to cup her head as he took command of the kiss. His bold silky tongue explored the depths of her mouth, tantalizing, arousing. Learning all her secrets.

Craving more, she dueled her tongue with his, reveling in his rich, sinful taste. Instantly addictive. A wave of recognition, of rightness washed over her, sweeping her into a whirling current of desire.

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