Shield of Justice by Radclyffe Read Free Book Online

said.
    Rebecca looked up, and in a rare unguarded moment, welcomed Catherine with a blazing smile. “Hi.”
    The doctor stood motionless, transfixed.
Lord, she’s breathtaking.
    “You’re very prompt.” Rebecca leaned over to push the passenger door open.
    “Don’t be fooled. It doesn’t happen often.” Catherine laughed, settling into the contoured leather seat, and ignored the quick racing of her heart. She wasn’t used to being so susceptible to a woman’s mere smile. She waited until Rebecca maneuvered into the dense traffic crowding the street in front of the hospital before speaking. “Have you made any progress with the case?”
    “Not much,” Rebecca replied, frowning. “Everything points to what we first thought. Your patient interrupted him, probably physically intervened. That means she saw him. She might be able to give us a description.” She gave Catherine a questioning, hopeful look.
    Catherine shook her head. “Not yet. She’s heavily sedated and still has only slim recall of last night’s events. It could be a few days, perhaps a week even, before she has any clear recollections.”
    “Can I speak to her?”
    “She already spoke with the officer who brought her to the hospital.”
    “I know that,” Rebecca responded curtly, no longer smiling. “But that was just a preliminary interview, and she was incoherent then. I need to go over things in detail, and I know what to ask.”
    Catherine thought about Janet’s fragile emotional state and tried not to consider her own ever-increasing desire to assist Rebecca Frye. Janet must remain her primary concern. “I have an hour scheduled with her tomorrow afternoon. If she’s ready, I’ll let you know. I’d like to be present when you question her. Do you mind?”
    “Not at all,” Rebecca said quickly, turning off the main city arterial onto a twisting two-lane road that led to one of the affluent suburbs. “In fact, I’d prefer it.”
    “Well, then, it would seem we don’t have much to discuss over dinner,” Catherine remarked with regret. She realized then just how much she had been looking forward to their time together. More, she had to admit, than she had looked forward to an evening with a woman in a very long time.
This is business, Catherine. That’s all it is to her and all it should be for you.
    “Good,” Rebecca replied, turning her eyes from the road to glance at Catherine expectantly. “I still want to take you to dinner.” She didn’t want to think about what it meant; she only knew she didn’t want to say good night to Catherine Rawlings quite so soon.
    “Good,” Catherine answered softly, immediately forgetting her cautionary thoughts of an instant before. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Chapter Seven

    Rebecca pulled into a tiny, tree-shaded parking lot behind a three-story, hundred-year-old mansion with a wide pillared porch, French doors, and leaded glass windows that looked as if it were someone’s home. It was. Catherine glanced at Rebecca in surprise when she recognized the restaurant. DeCarlo’s was exclusive, expensive, and renowned for its world-class chef and quiet, intimate décor.
    “Do you happen to have a reservation?” Catherine asked as they walked up the flagstone path. She couldn’t imagine they would be seated without one.
    “No,” Rebecca answered, apparently unconcerned.
    Less than a minute after Rebecca gave her name to the maître d’, who smiled at her with obvious pleasure, the owner, Anthony DeCarlo, approached.
    “Ah, Rebecca,” he said by way of greeting, taking her hand in both of his. “You stay away too long.”
    “Anthony,” Rebecca responded quietly. “How are you?”
    “I am fine. We are all fine.”
    “Good.”
    “Come. I have a nice little spot just for you.” He showed them to a secluded table that afforded a view of the sweeping lawns and luxurious gardens. He left them to ponder the eclectic selections artistically displayed on fine parchment