Cassandra's Dilemma Read Online Free PDF Page B

warmth out from her core. She enjoyed his laughter. Helcyon shifted his posture. The warmth of his fingers bit into her shoulder. She yanked her gaze away from the agent’s, barely noting the frown he sent Helcyon.
    Blood rushing to her face, Cassie covered her discomfort with a quick cough. Flirting? Seriously, Cass? Get your head in the game. “Maybe we should get to the questioning portion of the interrogation.”
    “Interrogation? Hardly.” Special Agent Book cut his hand through the air as though saying that wasn’t the issue and she shouldn’t worry about it. The simplicity of it comforted more than any long-winded assurances could have.
    “We’ve withheld most of the details from the press, including the names of the victims, yours as well, until we can notify families. But you’re one of the few surviving witnesses, so why don’t you tell me what you remember?” Again, Book’s gaze tracked up her to focus on Helcyon, a mild animosity shivering in the air, but that, too, evaporated when he looked to her.
    Cassie hesitated. Thinking about the bombing splashed the icy waters of reality onto her amusement and ardor. Sobered, she closed her eyes, closing out Book, Helcyon, and the hospital room. Plucking the images from her memory took no effort. Billy’s easy smile, his thumbs-up, and the blast wave of heat were all entangled in her thoughts.
    “I arrived at the park. Billy gave me my coffee. He was there ahead of me. He’s always one step ahead. It’s the best trait in an assistant. I cultivated that type of go-get-them attitude when Michael Wentworth hired me out of college. I looked for it when I was hiring an assistant, and I found it in Billy.” The words spilled out in a rush. Tears pricking her eyes, Cassie clenched her hands into fists, letting her nails dig half moons into her palms.
    “Michael Wentworth, he’s your boss?”
    “Business partner. I mean, he was my boss for a few years, but when I began representing my own clients, Michael offered me an opportunity to buy in.”
    “And where is Mr. Wentworth now?”
    “California. Our main office is in Los Angeles.”
    “And he wasn’t a part of the presentation?”
    “No, this was my baby. My project. Michael, Mr. Wentworth, wasn’t even aware of the identity of the clients.”
    Book’s eyebrows lifted. “And that’s not unusual?”
    “Special Agent Book, my partner and I are in business, not bed, together. Our client lists are personal, and discretion is a premium in our business.” The unexpected line of questioning relaxed the knot of grief choking her throat.
    “Huh.” Book grunted. “So your assistant gave you your coffee.”
    “Yes, Billy had my coffee. He had some messages for me and a rescheduled lunch meeting with the governor.” Cassie looked past the special agent, seeing Billy’s gentle countenance as he listed off his notes. “I told him to keep the meeting for when it was. I knew the governor would want to talk to me as soon as the press conference ended. Billy was going to do a sound check while I took my ten minutes to prepare. He gave me the thumbs-up and then it all went to hell.”
    She sniffed once, focusing back on Book. “I didn’t actually see what happened then. If I did—I don’t really remember it.”
    “Understandable. You were thrown a distance. Blast radius suggests that you were on the outer edge, which is probably what saved your life.” Sympathy vibrated in the spaces between his words. The speculation in his gaze was tempered by the kindness of his words.
    “Cold comfort for Billy’s family.”
    “Your death wouldn’t make any of those people undead, Ms. Belle.” His words slapped away her self-pity. “Now, if you can, think back to before the explosion, when Billy was giving you your messages—did you see anyone or anything out of the ordinary?”
    “It was the park. The press was there. I saw some plainclothes security we had in place to keep people from drifting to where the