Love Between the Lines Read Online Free PDF Page A

mind.” It wasn’t a question. He looked at Lizzy. “You saved a sample of the coffee?”
    “ Not much. Just what I could soak up with a cloth.” She knew he’d have her bag searched if she said no.
    He was silent for a moment, drumming his fingers on the desk, frowning at her. “Your connections will do a faster job than our blasted police surgeon, so I’ll let you keep your evidence. You let me know what your friend finds in the coffee.” It was practically begging on his part.
    “ It has that sharp, sweet smell,” she said. “So I think it’s the same stuff as last time. Hoffman might be able to figure that out.” She quickly added, “Of course I’ll let you know. Maybe that would be helpful?”
    Kelly nodded slowly. “Useful,” he said after a long pause. “Damned useful. You too. I wish they’d let me hire a female.”
    She beamed at him and he scowled back. That was basically two compliments in one visit—the man was going soft. All right, she ’d push her luck. Ridiculous demand first. “Sir, will you let me talk to one of the kidnapped girls?”
    “ Tildon—”
    “ Yeah, I know. Stupid question.” She held up a hand and for once he actually stopped midbluster. “But maybe you’ll put out a warning to the public? If you do, let me have the story.”
    “ You know there will be no story. I’m going to haul in Gottshield. Or try to.”
    “ Let me listen when you talk to him?”
    “ What do you think?” He made a disgusted noise.
    “ Yes, or I won’t press charges against him.”
    “ Tildon,” he started. “Fine. You listen behind the screen. No notes, and if you publish anything I tell you not to, or anything at all until I tell you to, I’ll toss you in jail so fast your head will spin.”
    Yes. The triumph was sweet.
    “What’ll you write in the meantime? Something about them?” The captain waved a hand at Kendall and Brinker. Kendall watched with amused eyes. Brinker wore the glazed look of a man who wished he was elsewhere. She couldn’t blame him. This must be appalling for a real gentleman.
    “ Maybe,” she said.
    Kelly grunted and bent over the papers, a pen in his hand, the inkwell uncovered. They were dismissed.
     
    As they walked down the dim corridor away from the office, Lizzy heard a familiar voice bellowing in the public area.
    Oyster heard too. “Thatcher,” he said and rolled his eyes.
    Lizzy clutched Kendall ’s arm. Her hand was bare because her glove was stained with the drugged coffee. She couldn’t help noticing how smooth and fine the wool jacket felt and how hard the arm underneath. She rarely touched such quality cloth—far finer than most men wore for a day by the docks. “Say, listen,” she whispered. “Mind if I use you as an excuse?”
    “ Pardon?” He murmured and leaned closer. He smelled like expensive cologne along with the hint of something warm—that must be clean male, a rarity in her world these days. She swallowed and wondered what he’d do if she gave in to her urge to press her nose against him and pull in a deeper breath. He’d be horrified, but he was British, and so she supposed he’d be polite about it, which was a strangely comforting thought.
    “ There’s someone out there by the desk sergeant who might start asking questions.” She spoke quickly before he could interrupt. He made a habit of that. “I’m going to lie to him, and I hope you don’t mind if I use you as an excuse. That all right?”
    He pulled away and grinned at her. “I’d be delighted to be of service. Brinker and I will remain mute and allow you to do what you wish.”
    Mr. Brinker, who ’d heard the quiet conversation, nodded, but his thin mouth went even thinner. More disapproval.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
    For a brief time after he left Liverpool, Gideon had covered the Old Bailey as a reporter. He’d spent enough time with reporters to recognize them when he saw them in their usual crime-and-punishment habitats. They frequently