Suspicion of Betrayal by Barbara Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

you had to talk to me."
    "I have a phone number for you. Dr. Evan Fischman. The judge's choice." She reached into her purse and brought out a folded piece of paper.
    "My lawyer told me," Dave said.
    "Oh. Well, I thought it would be a good idea to coordinate Karen's appointment."
    "Joe Erwin said to go through him on everything."
    "Naturally. If you go through him, he can put it on his time sheet and bill you. That's how it works."
    "You should know."
    Gail dropped the paper back into her purse. "Dave, this is not an issue, it's a question. Who takes Karen to see Dr. Fischman? Do you want to take her? Should I? Should we go together?"
    He let a few seconds pass. "I guess I could take her. Or you could. I'll think about it and let you know. All right?"
    "Sure. Call me."
    Dave looked her over. "You're dressed up. Got a big night planned?"
    "Just a family dinner at Anthony's grandparents' house." Gail wore a slim black dress and gold earrings and necklace.
    He put one canvas boat shoe on the foot rail and an elbow on the bar. "I was going to call you anyway. There's a tennis tournament next weekend on Key Biscayne. I'd like to take Karen."
    "You mean keep her next weekend too?"
    "Just one day. Saturday or Sunday, whichever. Unless you have plans."
    "Nothing in particular. I'll leave it up to Karen."
    "She should see the pros play," Dave said. "She has talent, and I'm not saying that because I'm her father. She's a natural athlete. But I'm not one of those parents who push a kid into doing nothing but tennis, day and night. I've seen too much of that. I'm trying to do what's right for her."
    "So am I." Making some time to find her way into a conversation, Gail pretended just now to notice the bar. "My, this is interesting. You've done so much here. How's business?"
    "Business is great."
    "I hope so."
    "You never had much faith in me, did you?"
    "Oh, Dave. Come on. I didn't mean it like that. I want you to succeed."
    He tapped a rhythm on the bar, making a final flourish by pointing at her. "This place is going to be a gold mine. On weekends, with the steel band, you can't find a parking place. I even had Jimmy Buffett drop in here last weekend."
    "Fantastic." With a little jolt of surprise, Gail realized she was smiling. She looked away from him and picked up the menu again. "Old Island Club. Catchy."
    Dave nodded toward the map of the Caribbean in a rope-trimmed frame on the back wall. "See that? The original Old Island Club is at Sapphire Beach on St. Thomas. It's got white sand beaches and a good harbor—the yachties love it. They've got a big-screen TV for sports, and they take coconuts right off the trees and make a rum drink called the Green Flash. People party all night. If you sail in that area, you've been there."
    "How can you get away with using their name?" Gail asked.
    Dave grinned. "I bought the name. I traded the Princess for it."
    "That was a hundred-thousand-dollar boat!"
    "It was a bargain, believe me."
    The waitress reappeared. "Dave? Excuse me. Can I get you anything?" Her wing-shaped brows lifted in expectation.
    "Gail, you still like Red Stripe? On the house, old times' sake."
    "No, I really can't stay." She reached for the small black purse on the counter.
    He laid his hand on her arm. "Five minutes. I can't stay either, I've got to take Karen for her tennis lesson. Vicki, one Red Stripe and two mugs from the freezer."
    "Sure." The woman made a smile, standard waitress-friendly. She went away to find the mugs, but she glanced back at Dave before the screen door to the kitchen banged shut. She was not unattractive.
    Gail reconsidered. "Is there something going on between you two?"
    "Me and Vicki? Naah. Not really."
    "Sort of?"
    "Not anymore. We went out a few times, but I've got Karen to think of. It has to be the right person."
    There might have been an accusation there, but Gail let it slide. "Dave ..."
    He had blue eyes with pale lashes. The sun had sketched lines at the corners.
    "Can I ask you