Tempting the Devil by Patricia; Potter Read Free Book Online

tomorrow. Just go straight to Meredith and call in.”
    She tried to minimize her limp as she left the office and headed for her car, then changed her mind and went in the opposite direction. Two blocks away was Charlie’s, a pub patronized mostly by the press. She’d been there only a few times since the accident. Usually by the end of the day, she was too tired for the walk, but she used to haunt the place. She’d loved the comaraderie of those who loved news as she did.
    On the way, she went inside a building and used the pay phone. She called Sandy’s cell phone.
    He answered.
    â€œThis is Robin. I’m calling from a pay phone,” she added hurriedly.
    â€œI’ve said everything I’m going to say.”
    â€œYou said some interesting stuff.”
    â€œI was tired.”
    â€œI just need to verify some stuff I’ve discovered.”
    â€œCan’t do it. I told you the sheriff—”
    â€œIt’s about the sheriff,” she said.
    A silence. Then, “We have orders not to talk to reporters.”
    â€œJust background stuff.”
    â€œThe sheriff’s a good man.”
    â€œI didn’t say he wasn’t.”
    â€œDamn it, Robin, I can’t be seen with you.”
    â€œWhat about tomorrow?”
    â€œI work until eight a.m. Then I go back on duty again at eight tomorrow night. I have to get some sleep and see my kid.”
    â€œWhat about meeting me just before you go back on duty?”
    â€œYou never give up, do you?”
    â€œI can’t stop thinking about those three officers,” she said simply. “And their families.”
    He paused, then said wearily, “You know where Montcrest School is?”
    â€œI’ll find it.”
    â€œBe at the back of the parking lot at seven.”
    She hesitated. She didn’t hesitate often. But it was Sandy . It would still be daylight. But she didn’t like the cloak-and-dagger stuff.
    â€œI may be late. I may not even be there,” he added.
    Then he hung up.
    She didn’t like the fear she thought she’d heard in Sandy’s voice.
    She didn’t like the prickling down her spine.
    There was no reason for it. This was a story like any other story. She was an observer, not a participant. But she knew that thought for the lie it was. It wasn’t just a story to her. Not anymore. Not after seeing the three men through the eyes of people who worked with them.
    Or, she was honest with herself, knowing what it could do for her career.
    She wanted to know what happened two nights ago.
    And why.
    Curiosity killed the cat . Her mother’s words echoed in her head.
    She dismissed them. She was just a reporter, after all.
    She only reported what other people told her. What she saw. What she felt.
    She felt this story deeply.
    She would keep picking at it.
    She would meet Sandy.
    In the meantime, she would stop at the pub. Perhaps the enigmatic man from the news conference would be there. He had remained in her thoughts all day, though she knew it was folly. He probably didn’t even have anything to do with reporting, though he’d been no casual onlooker. She had become more and more certain about that. He’d been far too intent on the speakers, on those in the crowd, to be a mere curiosity seeker.
    Did he have something to do with the story ? He’d disappeared quickly enough.
    She still felt a jolt down her spine at the memory of the way their eyes had locked, at the visual contact that had conveyed a momentary connection.
    Nonsense . Imagination. He was probably married with eight children and, if not, why did she think he would be attracted to her? Males in her life had always considered her a buddy more than a date. She’d never been a beauty, and her ambition had driven her life. She hadn’t had time to nurture relationships.
    Still, the image of the dark-haired man lingered as she made her way to Charlie’s. It was her darn