Death by Trial and Error (A Legal Suspense Short) Read Online Free PDF Page A

feeling a sense of relief and
maybe a little left over insecurity. "But you will tell me if you
change your mind."
    "I won't change my mind," he promised. Not
as long as there's the possibility that we can really go somewhere
with this .
    "Neither will I," she added. She was enjoying
his company more than she had any man's company in some time. She
was in no hurry to ruin a good thing.
    Grant straightened his tie. "So how about if
I take you out to dinner for a victory celebration? Sex always
leaves me famished."
    "Can't," Beverly said apologetically, putting
fresh lipstick on after he had taken it all off. "I promised Jaime
pizza tonight." She couldn't help but think that though only
twelve, her son sometimes seemed like he was twenty-five with his
maturity and rapidly growing body.
    Grant grinned wistfully. "Did I tell you that
I love pizza?" And would love to get to know your son better, if
you'll let me.
    Beverly squirmed guiltily, knowing he wanted
more than what they had. And so did she. But right now her son was
still her top priority. As were his feelings on the subject.
    "Jaime just needs a little time adjusting to
someone else in my life," she offered contritely.
    Grant looked like a wounded puppy. "How much
time does he need—the rest of your life?"
    Beverly touched her nose thoughtfully. "Not
much longer, Grant," she hoped. "It's been just the two of us for
so long, he's trying to come to terms with the fact that someone
else is now in my life who's very important to me."
    Beverly realized that along with wanting to
protect Jaime, she was also trying to protect herself, from being
hurt and abandoned, as they had been by his father.
    Grant furrowed his brow while trying to be
understanding. "Seems to me it's time you let someone else take
down that wall you've built around the boy."
    "Please be patient, Grant," Beverly implored
softly, not wanting to spoil what just happened by applying too
much pressure either way. "I just want what's best for everyone—you
included." She kissed him on the mouth. "Call me."
    Even as she said that, Beverly knew that it
sounded like she was afraid of commitment. Was she? Not that Grant
had ever suggested he wanted a commitment in so many words. Or
maybe she was confused over the terms commitment and exclusivity . Didn't they mean the same thing in a
relationship? Like her, Grant had been married once before. He had
no children and didn't seem entirely comfortable at the prospect of
ever marrying again. But she was pretty sure he cared for her,
beyond their sexual compatibility.
    Beverly wondered if that was that enough to
constitute a real and trusting relationship at the end of the day—a
relationship that included her son as an intricate part of the
team.
    Would it ever be enough?
    * * *
    Grant showed Beverly out the door, waved
good-bye, and settled back into his office musingly. She was the
first woman he'd been with who gave as much as she took—both
sexually and as a prosecutor. He was damned glad to have her on his
side in both departments.
    Should he be offered a judgeship, as
expected, it would be all the more reason for them to mesh, without
the competitive thing as trial lawyers that brought them together
and could potentially tear them apart.
    Grant's focus shifted to other issues on his
mind. He picked up the phone and buzzed his secretary.
    "Get the D.A. on the line," he ordered.
    A moment later, the heavy voice said, "Yeah,
Grant, what's up?"
    He sighed and glanced out the window
musingly. "We need to talk—"
     

Chapter Two
     
    He watched from the bushes as she left the
office building, wearing an aqua jogging suit that looked a size
too large on her streamlined frame. He watched as she sucked in a
deep breath of the cool October air and then stretched her limbs in
preparation for what was a normal jog through the park across the
street. She always ran alone, almost as if she considered company
an invasion of her privacy.
    That played right into his hands