Reasonable Doubt by Carsen Taite Read Free Book Online Page A

they’d send their business your way. Now, her work sold itself in the furniture she restored. People looked at the pieces she’s transformed and they liked it or they didn’t. They could afford it or they couldn’t. Either way, whether she made money or not wasn’t personal, it was pure economics. But still, this hadn’t been at all what she’d expected when April had suggested they go out tonight.
    She wasn’t sure if she even cared. April was clearly still immersed in this world where money and appearance were paramount, but Ellery wasn’t interested in being dragged back into her old life. She glanced across the room. April was surrounded by a circle of her sorority sisters and, judging from the raised drinks and loud laughter, they were having the time of their lives. She didn’t begrudge them their fun, but she did want to kick herself for not staying home. Now that she was stuck here, she may as well get a drink and settle in since it didn’t look as if April was going to be ready to leave anytime soon.
    The bar was crowded, but luckily, she’d picked the fast line. When she finally reached the front, she ordered a beer and got a grateful smile from the bartender who’d been asked to pour all manner of complicated concoctions by the women who’d ordered before her. She declined a glass, left a generous tip, and started to walk back to her corner of the room when she heard a familiar voice call her name.
    “Ellery?”
    She turned and saw Danny Soto standing at the bar holding a beer bottle and a martini. She smiled and Danny walked toward her. “Hey, it’s nice to see a friendly face.”
    “Tell me about it. I’ve been to a bunch of these things, but I’m not sure I’ll ever feel like I fit in. I don’t recall ever seeing you at one of these. Were you an Alpha Nu?”
    “Nope. My dad would’ve had my hide if I did anything in college that distracted from studying. What are you doing here?”
    “My wife, Ellen, is the executive director for the national office. I’m here in my capacity as supportive spouse. She’s so busy, I probably won’t see her until the end of the night.”
    Ellery pointed at the two drinks in Danny’s hands. “I guess your role requires extra fortification.”
    Danny laughed. “Actually, one of these is for a friend. You remember Sarah Flores? She was in my office the other day when you came by.”
    Ellery started to reply, but she was interrupted by a voice from behind her.
    “Are you going to stand there and talk about me or deliver my drink?”
    Ellery turned and sucked in a breath. She’d never expected to see the aggravating woman she’d met earlier in the week at Danny’s office again, but here she was, looking like she’d stepped out of the pages of a fashion magazine. This Sarah Flores looked nothing like any federal agent she’d ever met before. She finally realized she was staring and stuck out her hand. “Nice to see you again. Don’t let me keep you from your drink delivery.”
    Sarah’s smile flashed bright. “Nothing will accomplish that. And don’t go.” She took the drink Danny held out to her. “Stay and hang out with us. Please.” She accented her words by tilting her drink as if to toast.
    Ellery took longer than necessary to consider the simple request. Her first impression had been so clouded by Sarah’s forceful cop attitude that she hadn’t let the full depth of her stunning beauty seep in. This woman was every bit as captivating as she was aggravating, and Ellery was held in place by the magnetic pull of inexplicable attraction. She clicked her bottle against Sarah’s glass. “I can stay for a bit. Are you here just to keep Danny company or to support one of the candidates?”
    Sarah leaned close. “I don’t know any of these people. I heard there would be an open bar and lots of beautiful women. I wasn’t wrong, apparently.”
    “Cool it, Special Agent Hotshot,” Danny said. “Ellery, I must apologize for my friend here.