Low Country Liar Read Online Free PDF

he tacked on as a qualifying afterthought.
    "I'm not upset. Not really." Lisa composed herself quickly. "I was just wondering if anyone else would be coming in asking for files." She latched on to the first excuse that came to mind.
    "No need to worry," he assured her. "There's only myself, Slade and Ellen Tyler at the reception desk. Bob Tucker, the other assistant, consultant, whatever to Slade, isn't here. He should be back this weekend, although Mary Loutook a two-week leave of absence."
    "Mary Lou? Mr. Blackwell's secretary, the one I'm replacing?"
    "She's also Bob's wife. There was a death in her family," Drew explained. "After two weeks here, you'll know your way around the office and filing system like a pro."
    "I may not be here for two weeks." Not when Slade Blackwell discovers who I really am, Lisa thought.
    "Why not?" He cocked his head curiously, his eyebrows puckering together.
    "I'm not a trained legal secretary. The agency didn't have one available when Mr. Blackwell called. They'll be replacing me with someone more experienced."
    Her gaze kept darting to the file under his arm. Lisa turned away to walk back to her desk before Drew noticed her preoccupation with the folder.
    "I'll put in a word with Slade to keep you on until Mary Lou comes back. Experience doesn't count for all that much in this place. Slade likes things done his way, which is not necessarily according to the book."
    I can believe that, Lisa thought cynically, but she kept her opinion to herself.
    "That's kind of you,"she said aloud instead, "but Mr. Blackwell might have his own opinion."
    "I know what he'll say." Drew nodded positively. "He'll tell me the same thing his father always tells me—that I'm a sucker for a pretty face."
    "His father? The Courtney Blackwell of Courtney Blackwell & Son?"
    "That's right, the old man himself."
    "Has he retired?" Lisa asked. "You didn't mention him when you ran down the list of people in the office."
    "He retired within a year after Slade got his law degree." Drew walked to Lisa's desk, leaning against the edge, hooking a knee over the corner so he was half sitting on the top. "He didn't like practicing law, said he was a farmer at heart, but there's been a Blackwell practicing law in Charleston for years. When Slade qualified, the tradition was carried on through him and Court moved out to the country."
    "He's farming, then."
    "Yes, he bought what was the old Blackwell plantation that the family had lost after the Civil War. The original house was still standing, but one wing was beyond repair and had to be torn down. They've restored most of it, though. It's quite a place," he smiled. "You should see it."
    "Sounds interesting." But Lisa was wondering if Slade Blackwell was contributing Mitzi's money to the restoration.
    "Is your husband the jealous type?" Drew asked unexpectedly.
    "Burt?" Lisa was stunned. She couldn't believe the way these lies and fake names were springing from her tongue. She just hoped she could keep them all straight. "No, he's not particularly jealous. Why?"
    "I'd like to take you to lunch tomorrow. I'd make it for today, but have this—" he touched the folder under his arm, "—to work on. Which means I'll have to settle for Ellen bringing me back a sandwich." He noticed her hesitation and teased, "Come on, Ann. I'm harmless. Just look at me—I wear glasses, I'm short, or at least shorter than Slade. But I have a great personality. Perfectly harmless, I promise."
    "I'll bet you are," she laughed with mocking skepticism.
    "What do you say? Is it a date?"Drew wasn't put off.
    "Ask me tomorrow." If I'm here, Lisa added to herself.
    "I'll do that." He started to straighten from the desk, glancing at the watch on his wrist. "Talking about lunch, if you want yours today, you'd better be leaving. Things get pretty hectic around here in the afternoons."
    Lisa looked at her own watch, realizing how swiftly the time had fled since Slade Blackwell had left. It was nearly noon and her