Big Shot by Joanna Wayne Read Free Book Online Page B

who had attacked her and why. She didn’t know about the old Meghan, but she wasn’t going to take this lying down.
    At least not once she could stand on her own two feet without assistance.
    * * *
    “ H ER NEUROLOGIST SAYS that temporary memory loss is common after a severe concussion,” Durk explained to his brother Damien over a poor phone connection. “Loss of memory of events that happened immediately before or after the injury or within a few hours either way of the event.”
    “So Meghan doesn’t remember anything before the attack?” Damien questioned.
    “I wish that were it. At this point, she has complete loss of memory before last night. She didn’t even recognize her own name at first.”
    “Then she doesn’t remember you?”
    “That’s right, and that might be better for the time being. I’ve told her we’re friends but haven’t mentioned that we were ever more than that or that we haven’t spoken in two years. By the way, I haven’t mentioned to Mother that we were ever more than friends, either. Let’s leave it that way for now.”
    “Isn’t Mother sitting beside you now?”
    “She’s gone to refill our coffee cups.”
    Durk shifted the phone to his other ear. He’d just gone through all of this with her over breakfast in the hospital cafeteria. But when Damien had called, she’d handed her phone over to Durk to supply the pertinent details to him about what was going on with Meghan.
    As expected, his mother had already shared the facts surrounding the attack and murder with both of his brothers. Not that he minded. If she hadn’t, he would have. He and his brothers had always been there for each other when there was a problem.
    And this was one hell of a problem.
    Besides, both of his brothers had met Meghan when, at Durk’s recommendation, Tague had hired her to help in an investigation. Meghan had impressed the hell out of them. Durk’s new sister-in-law had been awed by her abilities, and the women had bonded immediately. For all Durk knew, they might have stayed in contact with each other.
    He’d definitely check that out just in case Meghan had said something to Alexis that might give him some insight into the crimes.
    “Is the doctor certain the amnesia is temporary?” Damien asked.
    “He seems convinced that there’s no permanent physical reason for the memory loss. But, as he said, emotional issues can also be a factor, and they’re much more difficult to predict.”
    “Does Meghan know her assistant was murdered?”
    “I haven’t told her. I didn’t figure she needed that kind of emotional trauma when she doesn’t even know there was an assistant or what he assisted her in doing.”
    “Does that mean she hasn’t been questioned by the police?”
    “Not yet, but Detective Sam Smart has been assigned to head up the murder case. He looks like a playboy who needs a makeover, but he barks like a bulldog. He won’t let the doctor keep him away long.”
    “Does the detective have any leads?”
    “None that he’s shared with me,” Durk admitted. “I haven’t talked to him today, though I’m sure I’m still on his radar.”
    “Why are you on his radar?”
    Durk explained the situation.
    “Having your fingerprints on the murder weapon is no laughing matter, Durk. You need to get a lawyer.”
    “On the possible murder weapon. And here comes Mother with our refill,” he said, cuing Damien that it was time for a change in subject matter. “But I’ll give your suggestion some thought.”
    “You should. How is Meghan doing other than the memory problems?”
    “Her physical recovery is going great.”
    “And Meghan’s sister is okay with you taking over this way?”
    “I think Lucy is just relieved to have someone who cares about Meghan on top of things.”
    “And you’re that someone?”
    “No one else has stepped up to the plate.”
    “No current boyfriend?”
    “Haven’t heard from one as yet,” Durk admitted, though there was no reason to think