Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

clutched at him and he fought to keep from running his hands over her arms to soothe away her upset.
    Ace moved to her side and leaned into her so that Lana’s long, tapered fingers could rub the sweet spot behind his ears.
    Normally his partner was reticent to let others touch him. By nature Dobermans were energetic and could be friendly when they were comfortable. But Ace was also fierce and loyal and intimidating, especially when working.
    Most of the time, people were too nervous to broach petting the dog, let alone the dog allowing attention from strangers. Adam wasn’t even sure Lana realized what she was doing or how unique it was for Ace to seek out her touch. By the way Ace’s eyes rolled in his head the dog obviously enjoyed the contact.
    â€œAce, heel.”
    The dog jumped to attention, sitting at Adam’s side, his ears perked up and his eyes on his master. That was more like it.
    â€œDon’t be angry with him.” Lana’s softly spoken words hit Adam square in the chest. “He’s a good dog.”
    â€œYes, he is, but we’re working now.”
    David cleared his throat, drawing their attention. “Miss Gomez, can you walk us through what happened last night?”
    â€œI just told everything to your officer.”
    When David didn’t respond, she glanced at Adam as if looking for support.
    He nodded, encouraging her to retell her story. He wanted to hear her version again. Would she stick to her claim the suspect had hit her with the arrow?
    She let out a soft, delicate sigh full of resignation. “I was in my office working.” She pointed to the hallway behind them. “I heard a thud then glass breaking. I thought maybe Brad had slipped and fallen. I came out and saw the man dressed in white reaching for the arrow.”
    Adam visualized the event unfolding. Most people would have fled in search of a phone to call for help. “How did you try to stop him?”
    She licked her lips. He tracked the movement as awareness zipped through him, setting his senses on fire. Not good. Not good at all. He had a cardinal rule to never become emotionally involved in a case; doing so impaired one’s judgment.
    He jerked his gaze back to Lana’s eyes in time to see a flare of interest in the dark depths, but then the flame was gone so fast he wouldn’t have been able to stand in court and swear he’d seen the look. Must have been a trick of the lighting inside the museum. Or maybe a stray sunbeam from the overhead skylight. But that couldn’t be since it was raining. He gave himself a mental shake to clear his thoughts and refocused on her words.
    â€œI attacked him. I’ve been taking mixed martial arts classes.”
    He dropped his chin and stared at her. He wasn’t sure if she was crazy or brave. Or both. That was the problem with self-defense classes in a gym. People tended to think when the time came they’d be prepared to act, but reality never followed the patterns learned in a studio class. Especially when it came to offensive moves. “You could have been killed.”
    She made a face. “I reacted before I really considered what I was doing.”
    He hadn’t pegged her as impulsive.
    â€œWere you the last one to handle the arrow before the break-in?” David asked.
    â€œHandle?” She canted her head. “Yes, I suppose. I’m the one who placed the artifact in the display case earlier this week before the glass barrier was sealed, if that’s what you mean.”
    â€œYou told me the intruder hit you with the arrow, isn’t that correct?” Adam watched her closely.
    â€œYes, that’s right.”
    Sharing a dubious glance with David, Adam stated, “There was no blood found on the arrow. Only your prints.”
    â€œWhat?” Her stunned gaze bounced between him and David. She took a step back. Ace rose to all fours, alert to her obvious tension. Adam gave him a hand