More Than Friends by Erin Dutton Read Free Book Online Page B

Jennifer winked and her belly fluttered. Something about a beautiful woman winking at her always got to her. Jennifer was one of those women who didn’t seem to notice the effect she had when she tossed her chestnut curls, beamed a dimple-revealing smile, or casually touched an arm while she spoke. She was a natural flirt, which is what had made it easy for Evelyn to cross a line with her.
    “My day just got a little brighter. How are you?”
    “Not bad. I’ve been seeing someone new.”
    “Yeah? Is it serious?” Evelyn kept her voice down, conscious not only of the other officers around them, but the defendants and their families occupying the rows behind them.
    “There’s definite potential.”
    “Good for you. We should have lunch one day and catch up.”
    “Absolutely. I always have time for you.” Jennifer smiled. “Hey, I heard about Kendall and Melanie. How’s Kendall doing?”
    “Ah, she’s a bit of a wreck, but she’ll get through it.”
    “How long were they together?”
    “Seven years.”
    “Wow, an eternity.”
    “Yeah. I’ve never known them separately. It’s weird.”
    They fell silent as the seats around them filled. The prosecutors entertained a line of defense attorneys, brokering last-minute deals for their clients. When the judge took the bench and the clerk read through the names on the docket, those who’d reached an agreement would enter their pleas and sign the appropriate paperwork. The remaining defendants waited their turn for the preliminary hearing to determine if probable cause existed to bind their case over to the grand jury.
    Just as everyone else had settled down, the heavy door at the back of the courtroom swung open. The man who entered had carefully cultivated his appearance, from his towering height to the breadth of his shoulders, all wrapped in a dark suit custom-tailored to appear distinguished but not too expensive, alluding to stability. He’d selected the wire rims on his glasses specifically because they didn’t obscure the one touch of softness in his appearance—big, brown, trustworthy eyes. He strode to the front of the room, emanating the prowess that earned him his hourly fees.
    He still knows how to make an entrance. Nearly every head turned as he passed. His smug smile seemed to encompass every one of them.
    “Hey, isn’t that your—”
    “Yeah.” Evelyn reluctantly made eye contact with her father. He raised his chin in greeting and she nodded in response.
    He pushed through the swinging gate and turned left, heading for the defense table on the opposite side of the room.
    “Damn, he’s intimidating,” Jennifer whispered.
    Evelyn was relieved when the court officer ordered them to stand and announced the judge’s name. She didn’t want to talk about how impressive her father was. She’d grown up in awe of his obvious power and confidence, until she was old enough to understand exactly what a defense attorney did. The biggest argument she’d ever had with her father had come on the day she’d told him she’d applied to the police academy instead of law school. Until then, he’d believed she would eventually join his firm.
    “Be seated.”
    She sank back in her seat and listened for the names of her defendants. When the clerk finished reading the docket, neither of her cases had pled, and what was worse, her father represented the defendant in her first case. She shifted, pushing against the bulky gun belt around her waist, and attempted to get more comfortable. She’d be here most of the morning.

Chapter Five
     
    “Are you just now getting out of court?”
    “Yep. And I hadn’t even left the parking garage when dispatch sent me this call.” Evelyn climbed out of her patrol car and glanced at the house in front of her, checking the address against the one on the laptop screen in the car. Kendall, her backup, had pulled up just before her.
    “Well, at least you’ll have fat overtime on your next check.”
    She nodded. Sitting