Novels: The Law is a Lady by Nora Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

sigh she continued. "I'm afraid Mr. Kincaid wasn't cooperative."
    "Never is," Lou agreed apologetically.
    "Damn it, Lou, would you just get me out of here?"
    "All in good time," he promised without looking at him. ' 'Are there any other charges, Sheriff?"
    "Resisting arrest," she stated, not quite disguising a grin. "The fine is two hundred and fifty, bail set at five hundred. Mr. Kincaid, when he decided to... cooperate, was a bit short of funds."
    Lou rubbed a hand over his chin. The large ruby on his pinky glinted dully. "Wouldn't be the first time," he mused.
    Incensed at being ignored and defamed at the same time, Phil interrupted tersely. "She pulled a gun on me."
    This information was met with another burst of loud laughter from his attorney. "Damn, I wish I'd been here to see his face."
    "It was worth the price of a ticket," Tory admitted.
    Phil started to launch into a stream of curses, remembered the boy—who was listening avidly—and ground his teeth instead. "Lou," he said slowly, "are you going to get me out or stand around exchanging small talk all day? I haven't had a shower since yesterday."
    "Very fastidious," Lou told Tory. "Gets it from his father. I got him out of a tight squeeze or two as I recall.
    There was this little town in New Jersey... Ah, well, that's another story. I'd like to consult with my client, Sheriff Ashton."
    "Of course." Tory retrieved the keys.
    "Ashton," Lou murmured, closing his eyes for a mo-ment. "Victoria Ashton. There's something about that name." He stroked his chin. "Been sheriff here long?"
    Tory shook her head as she started to unlock Phil's cell. "No, actually I'm just filling in for a while."
    "She's a lawyer," Phil said disgustedly.
    "That's it!" Lou gave her a pleased look. "I knew the name was familiar. The Dunbarton case. You did a re-markable job."
    "Thank you."
    "Had your troubles with Judge Withers," he recalled, flipping through his memory file. "Contempt of court.
    What was it you called him?"
    "A supercilious humbug," Tory said with a wince.
    Lou chuckled delightedly. "Wonderful choice of words."
    "It cost me a night in jail," she recalled. "Still, you won the case." "Luckily the judge didn't hold a grudge."
    "Skill and hard work won you that one," Lou disagreed. "Where did you study?" "Harvard."
    "Look," Phil interrupted testily. "You two can discuss this over drinks later."
    "Manners, Phil, you've always had a problem with manners." Lou smiled at Tory again. "Excuse me, Sheriff. Well, Phil, give me one of those corn muffins there and tell me your troubles."
    Tory left them in privacy just as Merle walked in, carrying Phil's suitcase. Dynamite wandered in behind him, found his spot on the floor and instantly went to sleep. "Just leave that by the desk," Tory told Merle.
    "After
    Kincaid's taken care of, I'm going out to the house for a while. You won't be able to reach me for two hours."
    "Okay." He glanced at the still-snoring Silas. "Should I kick him out?"
    "When he wakes up." She looked over at Tod. "Tod's going to wash my car."
    Stuffing in the last bite, Tod scrambled up. "I'll do it now." He dashed out the front door.
    Tory frowned after him. "Merle, what do you know about Tod's father?"
    He shrugged and scratched at his mustache. "Swanson keeps to himself, raises some cattle couple miles north of town. Been in a couple of brawls, but nothing important."
    "His mother?"
    "Quiet lady. Does some cleaning work over at the hotel now and again. You remember the older brother, don't you? He lit out a couple years ago. Never heard from him since."
    Tory absorbed this with a thoughtful nod. "Keep an eye out for the boy when I'm not around, okay?" "Sure.
    He in trouble?"
    "I'm not certain." She frowned a moment, then her expression relaxed again. "Just keep your eyes open, Merle T.," she said, smiling at him affectionately. "Why don't you go see if the kid's found a bucket? I don't think it would take much persuasion to get him to wash your car too."
    Pleased with