Arouse Suspicion Read Online Free PDF

work together. I was in the army, so I know how to take orders." He smiled in what he hoped was a disarming way. "Besides, if you don't let me tag along, I'll just follow you, and that'd be a waste of our natural resources."
    Startled amusement tilted her lips upward. "Are you always so full of shit, Sirocco?"
    "Only when I'm trying to win friends and influence enemies."
    "You've certainly influenced me," Danni said. But Nick could tell most of her hostility toward him had faded. Maybe they could actually work together without maiming one another.
    She picked up a backpack from behind her desk and slung a strap over her shoulder. Nick followed her out of the office and stood by the door as she spoke to Cathy.
    "I won't be in the office the rest of the day unless Willy has some afternoon delight and I can get the evidence I need right away." Danni picked up the camera with a mega-telephoto lens sitting on the desk corner. "Mr. Sirocco's going with me. We're going to be working together on a temporary basis."
    Cathy's gaze slid over to Nick and back to her boss, but not before he noticed the mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "A temporary... partner?"
    "Something like that."
    "Oh, I almost forgot. Sam called to see how you were doing."
    "If he calls back, tell him I'll try to touch base this evening."
    "Be careful."
    Danni gingerly tucked the camera into her backpack. "This job is a piece of cake."
    Cathy nodded, but her worry didn't fade. "I know, but humor me."
    "I thought Beth was the mother hen in the office." Danni touched Cathy's shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
    Nick opened the door and allowed Danni to precede him. "Do you want to take my car?" he asked.
    Danni shook her head. "I'll drive. My pickup's right here." She pointed to a battered twenty-five-year-old Ford truck with more than a few dents and scratches. It looked like something the Clampetts would drive.
    "Got anything newer, like an Edsel?" he asked dryly.
    She sent him a glare that might have brought down a lesser man, but Nick Sirocco had been an Army Ranger, trained to endure enemy interrogation techniques.
    "It has two very appealing features," she began. "It's paid for, and it runs. Get in, unless you plan to waste natural resources." She walked around to the driver's side.
    Knowing he was beat, he said, "I just have to get Gus."
    She froze and peered at him over the truck's hood. "Who's Gus?"
    "My dog. Gus, short for Augusta," he replied, then added with a shrug, "She likes going for rides."
    Sighing, Danni glanced at her watch. "Whatever. Just make it fast. We're already late."
    Nick strode to his Jeep to retrieve Gus and the notebook he'd brought as an afterthought. The mutt danced about his legs, her tail wagging with excitement as they rejoined Danni.
    Gus trotted over to Danni, who held out her hand with the back faced outward. Gus sniffed her knuckles and gave her approval with a swipe of her tongue. Only then did Danni pet her.
    Put two females together, and they start bonding, Nick thought in amusement. Next thing you know, they'll be exchanging shampoo brands.
    "Gus, come." The dog returned to his side after one more lick to Danni's hand. "Up," Nick said, motioning into the truck's cab. Gus jumped up and settled in the center of the bench seat, tongue lolling.
    Nick and Danni climbed in, and she headed south, merging with the early afternoon traffic.
    "So where are we going?" he asked.
    "A car dealership on the east side. My client thinks her husband's having an affair."
    "I thought this was a surveillance job."
    "It is. We'll be tailing him to try to get some compromising pictures."
    "You quit the force to do this? Why?"
    Danni's jaw clenched, and the softness she'd revealed earlier disappeared. "My reasons are none of your concern, Mr. Sirocco."
    "Touchy, aren't we?"
    She glowered but didn't say anything. Paddy had never told him why his daughter left the police force, and Nick hadn't been curious enough to press him. Now he wished he