Pursuit of a Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page A

what’s your longest
relationship?”
    “It’s not that. I just can’t picture you and
him…” Jake trailed off, realizing he really didn’t want to finish that thought.
For a reason he didn’t want to explore too closely, the idea of Juliet in bed
with that prick made him want to punch something. He was almost grateful when
she interrupted the visions his mind had begun conjuring.
    “Come on, don’t change the subject. I need to
stop thinking about Brad. So tell me.”
    “Um…” The gratefulness disappeared rapidly in
the face of her question. Jake found himself trying to figure out what Juliet
might like to hear. Should he tell her the truth? “Not long,” he hedged.
    “You’re still just like Aaron was before he got
married, aren’t you? Partying every weekend, bringing different girls home
every night?”
    He lifted one shoulder. “Come on, I’m not like
that.” Although to tell the truth he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been
serious with anyone. Knowing anything he said would prompt more questions, he
decided maybe watching TV would be the best thing after all.
     
    ****
     
    A few hours later, two detectives arrived.
Detective Harris had a slight paunch and receding hairline, but his entire
attitude screamed cop. Juliet felt confident he could tackle this investigation
with ease. He almost reminded her of
Colombo
,
a little rumpled but probably brilliant.
    “Take a look at these and tell us if you
recognize anyone,” Harris instructed as he placed an array of photos in front
of her.
    “You can take all the time you need. There’s no
rush.” Detective Reed had a friendly manner. A tall, athletic man, he could
easily intimidate suspects. But judging from his youth, he lacked the
experience of his partner. His entire attitude also revealed he was probably a
complete teddy bear when not trying to look tough.
    The identification didn’t take long. Juliet
picked out the shooter almost immediately. Harris and Reed exchanged a quick
glance at her identification.
    “What is it?” Jake demanded.
    As he straightened into a stiff, soldier-like
posture to pull out his badge and introduce himself, he morphed from her
brother’s cute friend into big, bad-ass FBI agent. She held back a snicker.
    “It’s Miguel Martinez, better known as Diablo,”
Harris told him. From the expression on Jake’s face, he clearly recognized the
name. His subtly shifting positions betrayed his unease.
    “We’ll take this to the DA’s office immediately
and see how they want to proceed,” Harris assured Jake.
    “Think you’ll have any luck finding
Martinez
? He has to know
there’s a witness who can ID him.”
    “I’ll talk to the captain about getting Miss
Morris some plain-clothes protection for when she leaves. In the meantime,
we’ll leave a couple uniforms at her door.”
    “That didn’t exactly answer my question.”
    Reed shrugged, stepping forward to join the
conversation. “We know where he hangs out. Whether or not he’ll be there now or
go into hiding remains to be seen. Hopefully his arrogance will make him stick
around.”
    Harris turned back to Juliet. “Thank you for
your help, Miss Morris. We’ll be in touch.”
    “Sure, of course.”
    “Don’t worry, we’ll catch the guy who shot you,”
Reed added with a wink. Harris shot him an annoyed look. Juliet knew from
watching Law & Order the cops
weren’t supposed to make promises like that. She didn’t know why, she found it
reassuring, and obviously she realized it wasn’t a guarantee.
    The detectives quickly filed out of the room,
leaving Juliet with a now visibly tense Jake.
    “Am I in danger?”
    “Honestly?”
    “No, lie to me.”
    Jake stuck his tongue out at her, like they used
to do when she was twelve and he was a high and mighty eighteen-year-old. It
broke the tension, as Jake probably intended.
    “Aaron should be here any minute. Let’s wait
until he arrives and I can tell both of you.”
    “Aaron’s coming? What