Whispers of Danger and Love by Janis Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

down at her slender form with horror.
    “Jane, you could gain ten pounds, and I’d never find where you’d put it. Just teasing you.”
    “My mother said as I get closer to thirty my backside would start to spread into a huge thing.” She returned the sticky donut to the bag with a sad face.
    Cheryl knew Jane’s mother did indeed own an enormous rear end, but she doubted it could ever happen to Jane, who more readily resembled her rail-thin father.
    They both jumped when they heard three loud knocks on the back door before it swung open abruptly and banged against the wall. David Larkin, hair too long and still wet from his shower, marched in, plopped down in a chair, and grabbed the bag. With his mouth already devouring half a donut, he turned to Jane and tweaked her red curls.
    “Hey,” he mumbled, mingling the greeting with his donut.
    Cheryl snorted as Jane’s face turned bright red. Larkin was up to his old tricks again.
    “What’s exciting at the paper, Jane? Anyone get shot, robbed, or otherwise abused?” He reached for his second pastry.
    “Pretty quiet today, David. You know about that dog that got hit? Vet fixed him up, but they still don’t know who the owner is. The fire down at the bowling alley was just a grease fire. Was all out before the fire trucks got there. Some excitement over a man who paid cash for a piece of property. Not sure which one. I was on a break when they were discussing it.”
    “Yeah? Did he bring the money in a paper bag? Old rusty tin can dug up from the backyard? Must not have been much of a property. Who’s got that kind of dough these days?” David chuckled with Jane who had not a clue what he was referring to, but was amiable. She was bombarded with snatches of news from her job, but rarely understood the importance or lack of the information.
    “Did you hear about the number of tickets the police were giving out after the game the other night?” Jane asked, forgetting that David Larkin was a cop. Instead of answering, he whirled around, catching Cheryl by surprise.
    “Did you get rid of Toledo?” he asked, impaling her with fierce eagle eyes that had the golden flecks flashing. “You have no business dealing with the criminal element. You’re just a baby yourself,” Larkin chewed his words out through an enthusiastic mouthful of donut. He reached over and then trailed a finger down her cheek probably leaving a sticky steak of jam on her face.
    Cheryl could hear Jane take a gulp and saw her shift in her seat. No doubt about it, her friend had a soft spot for the detective.
    “If they’re criminals, why don’t you arrest them?” Cheryl challenged. She absolutely refused to allow David Larkin to think he could run her life. And, whatever reactions she had to his masculinity, she would keep to herself. Half the county no doubt had sampled that careless charm. Darned if she would get in line for anyone. He would learn she was an adult and wasn’t going to play his fool while he adventured. Would he ever stop treating her as if she were still a child? She’d gotten rid of Gordon for just that very thing. She glared at David but declined to engage him in an argument.
    “Cher, honey, sweet thing . . . you’re cute as a button, but I need to make you understand. There are just some people you should stay away from. Sam Toledo has a police record which would amaze you. He may come off as civilized, but believe me, he isn’t. I don’t know that chick he’s hanging with, but, for sure, she’s up to no good if she finds his company welcome. I’ll find out who she is today.”
    “I don’t always get to choose my clients, Larkin,” Cheryl snapped. “In case you haven’t noticed, I run a business, not a social register.” She glanced over at Jane but could see there would be no help from her.
    Her friend was staring at the detective, her eyes already glazing over. David was no help. As she watched, he grinned at Jane who flashed as red as her tablecloth, but