Convictions by Maureen McKade Read Free Book Online

though Olivia guessed he wasn't expecting her comment. "They're living creatures, too."
    But Olivia caught a glimpse of something behind his harsh mask. "Is that the reason you want to be a vet?"
    "Wanted," he corrected sharply. His penetrating gaze skipped over her face, then settled on a butte in the distance. "Too late now."
    She felt unexpected sympathy for the convict. Just like any other person, he'd had dreams, too, before he was incarcerated.
    "That's too bad. From the way you examined the stallion, you'd be a good one," she said quietly.
    He brought his gaze back to her, and she thought she spotted a flush in his cheeks, though his expression didn't change. "Who was that woman?" Hank asked.
    It took Olivia a moment to switch mental gears. "A former high school classmate."
    "Not a friend."
    It wasn't a question.
    "Hardly. She was one of the popular girls. You know how it was in high school. It was a long time ago." Olivia shrugged, although for the first time it bothered her that she hadn't taken time to have fun in high school or college. "Where are you from?"
    "Small town south of here. My graduating class was thirty-one students."
    Olivia smiled. "Mine had forty-four. I think most of them still live around here."
    "Same here." He sent a quick look at the farrier. "I should get back to work."
    Olivia pushed herself to her feet, surprised but grateful that Hank didn't extend a hand to help her. She hobbled up the steps, aware of his scrutiny but knowing he wouldn't get any closer.
    She paused before opening the door. "I appreciate your help, Mr. Elliott." She glanced down, thinking she owed him some kind of explanation yet not understanding why. She met his curtained eyes. "I was assaulted in Chicago. He smashed my knee so I couldn't run away." Those two sentences cost her most of her remaining strength, and she entered the house.
     
    With her nose in the air, she acts like she owns the whole goddamned country. Well, she's not going to be so high and mighty when she has to pay for what she did. It's my responsibility to rid the world of people like her. My duty...
     

Chapter Four
    After spending the remainder of the day inside resting her bad leg and trying to figure out Hank Elliott, Olivia checked her e-mail after dinner. She found a note from Susan, a fellow ADA and as close to a friend as she had in Chicago.
    Liv, guess what? The old man gave me the Brubane case! This is big, Liv! If I can get a guilty verdict, the old man promised to give me more cases like this. I just hope J can do half as well as you did with your first big one. Cross your fingers for me.
    So how are you doing out there in the boonies? How's your leg? Does it look like you'll be coming back soon? We miss you.
    Everyone here says hello and get better soon. TTYL, Suse.
    Olivia smiled and clicked the Reply button. After setting her fingers on the keyboard, she froze. What should she tell her friend? That the thought of stepping into a courtroom made her sick to her stomach? That the biggest risk she could take was stepping out of the house alone and walking to the cookhouse? That going back to Chicago anytime soon was as likely as flying to the moon?
    She curved her hand around the mouse and canceled the reply, logged out of her e-mail account and off the Internet. The familiar depression crawled through her, and she sought solace in oblivion. She brought up the Spider Solitaire game on the screen and clicked on the four-suit option.
    Five of hearts to six of spades. Queen of diamonds to king of diamonds. Eight of clubs to nine of clubs.
    The rhythm of clicking and moving the mouse to carry cards from here to there soothed her just like it had the first time she'd played not long after moving back home.
    She hit the end of her run with no more cards to turn over. Another loss. She started a second game, lost that one, and then a third and fourth and on and on. Never winning, but always certain the next game would give her the satisfaction of a