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Excerpt:
Lindsey didn't
see Thor approach but suddenly he was there, towering over the two
policemen who stood next to her desk.
"Miss Graham
has told you all she knows," he said, crossing his powerful arms
over his massive chest.
"And who might
you be?" asked Constable Bertram.
"I am a
friend--one who can see that you have upset the lady."
"If Miss
Graham is your friend, it would be wise to advise her to be truthful
in regard to her brother."
Thor said
nothing. As big as he was, the quieter he became the more
intimidating he appeared.
"Good
afternoon, gentleman," Lindsey said with a false smile for the men.
"Good
afternoon, Miss Graham." Bertram settled his tall beaver hat over
his thinning hair and he and Constable Archer disappeared out the
door.
Thor’s fierce
blue eyes locked on her face. "Do not tell me you could have
handled them by yourself."
"I did just
fine, thank you."
"You were
lying and they knew it. By the gods, Lindsey, you cannot help your
brother by making up tales that are clearly not true."
"I was buying
time. In a couple of days, I will tell them I remembered
incorrectly, that I got the dates mixed up. In the meantime, I need
to find out who killed those women. That is the only way my brother
is going to be safe."
Thor's blue
gaze sharpened. "If the police can't find the killer, how will
you?"
"I'm a
newspaper reporter, am I not? It is my job to dig up information.
That is precisely what I am going to do."
"You are a
woman, Lindsey, whether you like it or not. Two women have already
been killed."
"I'm going to
help my brother--whether you like it or not!" Turning away
from him, she picked up her reticule and started for the door.
Thor caught
her arm. "You are going home?"
"For now."
“Is your
carriage out front?”
“I usually
walk to work this time of year.”
"You are upset
and worried. I will see you get home safely."
She opened her
mouth to argue but already he was urging her toward the door,
grabbing her cloak off the coat tree, leading her outside the
office. He raised one big hand and a Hansom cab jerked to a halt
just a few feet away. Thor helped her climb in, settled himself on
the seat beside her, and the driver clucked the horse into motion.
"You are a
troublesome female," Thor grumbled.
"Well, you are
a meddlesome brute."
His jaw
tightened. "An irritating, troublesome female."
She cast him a
sideways glance. "An overbearing, meddlesome brute."
Thor just
grunted and leaned back in the seat. Lindsey tried not to notice
the powerful shoulder pressing against her, the faint, masculine
scent of soap and man. She tried not to be grateful that he was
taking her home when she has just lied to the police.
When, instead of her
brother, she might be the one who wound up going to prison.
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