Someone Like You by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online Page B

already had a few encounters with the mayor and he hadn’t enjoyed a single one. “Does he ever?”
    â€œNo.”
    He swore. “Fine. I’ll call him back and tell him there’s no way he’s getting the permit.”
    â€œHe won’t be happy.”
    â€œI don’t care.”
    She grinned. “That’s one of the things I like aboutyou.” She poked at the messages in his hand. “You also have a call from someone named Hollis Bass. The boy sounded like nothing but useless trouble. He’s not a relative, is he?”
    Mac flipped through the notes until he found the one with Hollis’s number. “No. Not a relative. A social worker.” Just what he needed—one more thing. “What else?”
    â€œSlick Sam is getting released on bond today and someone needs to go tell the judge’s daughter not to get messed up with the likes of him.” Wilma wrinkled her nose. “Slick Sam is proof our criminal law system is in serious need of an overhaul. Want me to give her a call for you?”
    Mac glanced at the big clock on the wall. It was barely twelve. He’d promised Emily he’d be back for her by one. There was still time to drop by Jill’s office and warn her about Slick Sam.
    â€œI’ll do it in person,” he said. “Then I’ll call the mayor and the social worker from home. Everything else can wait.”
    Wilma’s hazel eyes widened slightly. “I figured you had to know Jill.”
    â€œWe go way back.”
    â€œHer father may have retired to Florida, but he still stays informed.”
    Mac grinned. “I’m going to warn her about a potentially difficult client, not seduce her.”
    â€œIt always starts with conversation. You be careful.” With Jill? He doubted it was necessary. She mightbe gorgeous, sexy as hell and recently single, but she was also the daughter of the one man who’d practically been a father to him. No way he would betray that relation ship by getting involved with Jill.
    â€œYou can stop worrying about me, Wilma. I have everything under control.”
    â€œThat’s what those lemmings always say right before they jump off the cliff.”
    Â 
    â€œI HEARD ABOUT what happened with Lyle,” Rudy Casaccio said in his low, smooth voice. “I can arrange to have him taken care of for you.”
    Jill winced, then switched the phone to her other ear. “I know you didn’t mean that the way it sounded and if you did, I don’t want to know.”
    â€œYou’ve provided excellent service to our organization, Jill. We believe in rewarding that.”
    â€œYou send a fruit basket at Christmas. That’s more than enough. As for Lyle, I’m going to handle him my self.”
    â€œHow?”
    â€œI haven’t exactly worked that out yet, but I’ll come up with a plan.” She glanced at the résumés spitting out of her printer. “Maybe I’ll go with that old standard of living well as being the best revenge.”
    â€œAre you staying in Los Lobos?”
    â€œNo. I’ll let you know as soon as I land with another firm.”
    â€œGood. In the meantime, we want you to continue to handle our business.”
    Real corporate law, she thought wistfully. Wouldn’tthat be fun? “You need to stay where you are right now,” she said regretfully. “I don’t have the resources to handle your concerns.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œYes, but it was sweet of you to offer.”
    Rudy chuckled. “Not many people call me sweet.”
    She could imagine. Rudy was one tough businessman, but he’d always been good to her.
    â€œAre you sure about Lyle?” he asked. “I never liked him.”
    â€œI’m beginning to think I shouldn’t have, either. Thanks, but don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”
    â€œIf you change your mind…”
    â€œI won’t. I’ll call