Dead Giveaway Read Online Free PDF Page A

you really want to wake her in the middle of the night and ask her to come out in the rain? It won’t make any difference in the end, you know. I’ll see what I want to see. It’ll just take longer.”
    The muscle that flexed in his cheek told her what he thought of her response. He didn’t like being cornered. He reminded her of a lion trapped inside a small cage, a lion that paced back and forth, resenting his captivity.
    After another long, defiant stare, Clay shrugged and thrust his hands at her. “I have nothing to hide.”
    Allie checked his palms, then turned his hands over and examined the backs.
    â€œSo, did I beat a defenseless woman?” he asked sarcastically. “A woman who has no injuries?”
    Allie noticed a few calluses and cuts, but no more than she’d expect to find on a man who worked outdoors. “I want pictures.”
    â€œFor what?”
    â€œProof.”
    â€œI didn’t hit her!”
    â€œA picture would show that your knuckles aren’t swollen and that your nails are too short to have made the gouges on her arm.”
    He hesitated, obviously still skeptical that she was on his side. “There aren’t any gouges on her arm.”
    â€œThere are now,” she said. Even if Beth Ann’s injuries were self-inflicted, as Allie suspected, there were other people who might try to use those marks to pressure the D.A. into building a case against Clay. Reverend Barker’s nephew was one of them. Joe Vincelli hated the Montgomerys—and he had powerful friends. “Beth Ann’s a bit…undecided about what really happened. But that doesn’t mean Mr. Harris can’t press charges if he chooses to. Now…” Allie was reluctant to move any closer to Clay but she inched forward to avoid the rain dripping down her collar. “Would you please remove your shirt?”
    â€œWhat?” he said as though she was out of her mind.
    Where was Hendricks? she wondered. This would be easier if she had a male officer with her. “I think you heard me.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œFor the same reason I wanted to see your hands.”
    She expected him to refuse her again. Allowing her to be in charge ran contrary to his nature. But he didn’t. Instead, he riveted his blue eyes on hers, and his sensuous lips curved in a devilish grin. “After you,” he said.
    Obviously, he was changing tactics. The best defense was a good offense and all that. But she refused to let him rattle her. “I’m convinced you’ve seen much more than I have to offer,” she said. “I’m hardly centerfold material.”
    â€œMaybe I like my women small.”
    She conjured up a prudish expression. “If you don’t mind, I’m in a bit of a hurry.”
    He glanced in the direction of her cruiser, and she knew he’d probably find it demeaning to be examined in front of his accuser.
    Damn Hendricks.
    â€œWe could go inside, if you prefer,” she said politely.
    â€œShouldn’t you get rid of her first? In case you decide to stay?” His suggestive smile indicated that he was still trying to make her as uncomfortable as possible.
    â€œShe’s fine where she is. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to control myself.”
    Chuckling, he sauntered into the house as if he didn’t care, but she knew he did. The way he sobered the moment they were safe from Beth Ann’s prying eyes told her that much.
    â€œIs this really necessary?” he asked softly and there was a hint of desperation in his voice.
    After all the police interest he’d endured, Allie had little doubt he wanted to be left alone. But, for some reason, getting visual proof of his innocence was important to her. Word of what had happened tonight could provoke some strong reactions, and she’d always been a sucker when it came to the underdog.
    Why she thought of Clay as the underdog she had no idea.