Midnight Heat Read Online Free PDF Page A

some did not. But none of them stood out in his mind as being particularly memorable.
    He wondered, if they were asked, if the women would remember him either. Probably not. That’s why he chose them. Why theychose him. Lately, there had been no choosing at all.
    Work had been his entire life lately. But he didn’t want that right now. What he wanted was Adria Burke. Would she let herself be chosen? By any man? By him?
    And the hell of it was, he’d never know.
    “So,” she said finally, “does this mean the investigation is closed?”
    Half of him wanted to ask her what possibilities she’d been mulling over while the other half wished she’d taken longer doing it. He enjoyed watching her. Couldn’t remember if he’d ever actually taken pleasure in simply staring at a woman.
    “No, it isn’t.” He could have said more, could have told her that the remaining information and data to be collected would likely continue to prove her guilt before it would exonerate her, but he didn’t.
    She casually lifted a block of windshield from a 727 off the table next to her, then turned the piece over and around in her hands.
    “Why did the newspaper story bother you?”
    Her question pulled him fully back into the matter. “Most of the story was general coverage of the collision and details on any injuries, speculation as to the cause.”
    “Was my name mentioned?” Her tone waseven, but strain was evident in the tightness around her mouth.
    “No. Other than mentioning that an unnamed controller had been put on temporary leave, the reporter stated our standard comment that a routine investigation into the matter was ongoing.”
    She waited a beat, then said, “And? But? I hear at least one of those coming.”
    His mouth twitched, but he controlled it. She had the damnedest effect on him. “But said reporter ended her routine piece with the line ‘an inside source has hinted that there may be more to this than simple navigational error.’ ”
    Her eyes narrowed. “And you immediately thought I’d talked to the media and given them my version of the story. Given them the third plane.”
    Dane wasn’t sure what he should feel at her accusation, but he was pretty damn sure it shouldn’t be guilt. “If you thought your version would get more coverage by leaking it to the press, well then—”
    “I was asked not to discuss the events of that night while the investigation is ongoing and I haven’t. I understand and happen to agree with that policy. Things get distorted enough.”
    “It’s my job to question everything, Adria.” Her eyes widened at his use of hername. Her reaction set off one of his own, and he had to fight to keep his mind open and unbiased. He looked down at his notes. They didn’t have accusing blue eyes.
    “I’m sorry.”
    His head shot up. He’d been thinking those very words and for a split second wondered if he’d actually said them.
    “You’re right,” she said. “I don’t know what I expected from you.”
    “I think you made it clear that first night in my office you didn’t expect me to do much of anything. Least of all, to help you.”
    She didn’t deny it. “Which is why you thought I’d taken things into my own hands and approached the press. But don’t you think if I had come forward, my name would be all over the place? Or at the least the third-plane scenario would have been run through the media wringer.”
    “Anonymous sources are most reporters’ bread and butter. They wouldn’t betray them. She still got her byline.”
    “So who did tip them off? And what else could the ‘inside source’ have been referring to if not the third plane.” Her gaze had gone all unfocused again as she began to run through the possibilities, but suddenly she focused on him. From the sparks he saw, Dane knew her conclusion wasn’t going to thrill him.
    “Unless there is something else going onhere that I don’t know about.” She paused, then asked, “Is there any point in