Monroe, Melody S. - Verdict (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

saying that.” She finally faced him. “So explain it to me. You must be chummy with Peter if you know so much about him.”
    He took the seat across from her, the lines around his mouth softening. “The Bureau is looking at Peter for the murder of Janet Starkey.” He held up a palm. “Their evidence is thin.”
    Her pulse pounded. Could this nightmare be almost over? She dropped the pillow to her lap. “I knew it! The FBI would not go after Peter Caravello unless they had the facts.”
    “It’s possible the Fed’s interest is based solely on his genetics.” The muscles in his forehead and jaw relaxed. “It makes sense. His dad was executed. The Bureau must have concluded no one else would want revenge except for the family.”
    Her dad had been murdered, yet she was no killer. She’d concede the point.
    Susan debated going upstairs to get away from him, but she needed to learn what he knew. Reaching her position at the State Prosecutor’s office before the age of thirty had required a lot of fact searching and character judging. “Who else could it be if not Peter Caravello?”
    He held her gaze. “I don’t know, but it’s possible someone’s framing him.”
    “I repeat…You have no idea how many times I’ve heard a criminal say that.”
    “I’m sure, but in this case, I believe someone might be after Peter.”
    His gaze might be steady and his hands relaxed on his thigh, but the man was hiding something. “Because?” Let him wiggle out of this one.
    “The man isn’t capable of hurting anyone.”
    Proof he had no facts. She inhaled a deep breath and forced herself to relax. “Why exactly did he call?”
    “He wants me to help him.”
    What was wrong with this picture? “A murderer is asking for FBI help?”
    “Not the FBI. For my help. And he’s not a murderer.” He dragged a hand down his stubbled jaw. She usually liked her men clean shaven, but on Stone, the added growth made him more manly, more of a threat.
    “How do you know he’s not guilty?” Did he know the identity of the real killer, or could Stone have assisted someone else in these murders? A shiver raced through her body.
    “Shouldn’t a lawyer presume a man’s innocent until proven guilty? I know you’ve been through a lot, but don’t forget the rules of the judicial system.”
    Her blood pressure rose. “The facts imply a Caravello killed my best friend.” She fisted her hands against the cushion.
    His brows pinched. “Most people we go after are guilty but not in this case.”
    “Well someone in his family killed Anne-Marie and four, no five, jurors. You want to help that kind of man?”
    “His family might be guilty, but Peter’s not.” He narrowed his eyes. “Besides, it’s hardly aiding and abetting to ask a few questions. It’s not like I’m leaving you here so I can investigate.” He stood, probably just to be able to look down at her.
    A small smile lifted her lips. “If you help Peter Caravello, I’m sure your boss would consider your activity a conflict of interest.” Her courtroom calm resurfaced, pumping her full of adrenaline. “I’m surprised he let you on the case.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest. “No one knows I know Peter.”
    “Oh, really.” Stone hid secrets from his own boss. Interesting. “Are you going to fess up and call your boss to tell him a Caravello made contact?” She’d believe Stone might be on the up-and-up if he did.
    “No.”
    His defense of Peter ate away at the earlier trust she’d placed in him. Dear Lord, he was going to help someone escape the law. She rubbed her sweaty palms on her pants. “Then I am.” It was her civic duty to do so.
    She walked to the wall phone as calmly as her pounding heart allowed, surprised he didn’t sprint after her. This might be her only opportunity to make contact with anyone. She pulled the receiver off the cradle and dialed 9-1-1.
    Damn. The phone was dead. Everything else about the place worked. Why not the phone?