Novels: The Law is a Lady Read Online Free PDF

place."
    "The twins?"
    "Who else?" Tory shot back as she plucked a black flat-brimmed hat from a peg. "I'll grab dinner while I'm out and pick up something for our guest. How do you feel about stew, Kincaid?"
    "Steak, medium rare," he tossed back. "Chef's salad, oil and vinegar and a good Bordeaux."
    "Don't let him intimidate you, Merle," Tory warned as she headed for the door. "He's a cream puff."
    "Sheriff, the phone call!" Phil shouted after her as she started to close the door.
    With a heavy sigh Tory stuck her head back in. "Merle T.. let the poor guy use the phone. Once," she added firmly, then shut the door.
    Ninety minutes later Tory sauntered back in with a wicker hamper over her arm. Phil was sitting on his bunk, smoking quietly. Merle sat at the desk, his feet propped up, his hat over his face. He was snoring gently.
    "Is the party over?" Tory asked. Phil shot her a silent glare. Chuckling, she went to Merle and gave him a jab in the shoulder. He scrambled up like a shot, scraping his boot heels over the desk surface.
    "Aw, Tory," he muttered, bending to retrieve his hat from the floor.
    "Any trouble with the desperate character?" she wanted to know.
    Merle gave her a blank look, then grinned sheepishly. "Come on, Tory."
    "Go get something to eat. You can wander down to Hernandez's Bar and the pool hall before you go off duty."
    Merle placed his hat back on his head. "Want me to check Bestler's Garage?"
    "No," she said, remembering the poker game. Merle would figure it his bound duty to break it up if he happened in on it. "I checked in earlier."
    ' Well, okay..." He shuffled his feet and cast a sidelong glance at Phil. "One of us should stay here tonight."
    "I'm staying." Plucking up the keys, she headed for the cell. "I've got some extra clothes in the back room."
    "Yeah, but, Tory..." He wanted to point out that she was a woman, after all, and the prisoner had given her a couple of long looks.
    "Yes?" Tory paused in front of Phil's cell.
    "Nothin"," he muttered, reminded that Tory could handle herself and always had. He blushed before he headed for the door.
    "Wasn't that sweet?" she murmured. "He was worried about my virtue." At Phil's snort of laughter she lifted a wry brow.
    "Doesn't he know about the large gun in the desk drawer?"
    "Of course he does." Tory unlocked the cell. "I told him if he played with it, I'd break all his fingers. Hungry?"
    Phil gave the hamper a dubious smile. "Maybe."
    "Oh, come on, cheer up," Tory ordered. "Didn't you get to make your phone call?"
    She spoke as though appeasing a little boy. It drew a reluctant grin from Phil. "Yes, I made my phone call."
    Because the discussion with his producer had gone well, Phil was willing to be marginally friendly.
    Besides, he was starving. "What's in there?"
    ' 'T-bone, medium rare, salad, roasted potato—''
    "You're kidding!" He was up and dipping into the basket himself.
    "I don't kid a man about food, Kincaid, I'm a humanitarian."
    "I'll tell you exactly what I think you are—after I've eaten." Phil pulled foil off a plate and uncovered the steak. The scent went straight to his stomach. Dragging over a shaky wooden chair, he settled down to devour his free meal.
    "You didn't specify dessert, so I went for apple pie." Tory drew a thick slice out of the hamper.
    "I might just modify my opinion of you," Phil told her over a mouthful of steak.
    "Don't do anything hasty," she suggested.
    "Tell me something, Sheriff." He swallowed, then indicated the still-sleeping dog with his fork. "Doesn't that thing ever move?"
    "Not if he can help it."
    "Is it alive?"
    "The last time I looked," she muttered. "Sorry about the Bordeaux," she continued. "Against regulations. I got you a Dr Pepper."
    "A what?"
    Tory pulled out a bottle of soda. "Take it or leave it."
    After a moment's consideration Phil held out his hand. "What about the mayor?"
    "I left him a message. He'll probably see you tomorrow."
    Phil unscrewed the top off the bottle, frowning at her.