Smoke and Mirrors Read Online Free PDF Page A

The department made sure of that. But still, that Mansfield had discovered details of her fictional life made it clear she'd caught his attention. The man had done more than a little homework.
    "Sure are a long way from home," he mused.
    Situations like this were nothing new to her; she'd been trained how to interrogate, and be interrogated, time and again. "Sometimes a girl needs a change of venue."
    "Change of venue from what?"
    "From the South to the North," she answered simply, knowing that was no answer at all. "Kind of like joining the merchant marines, wouldn't you say?"
    His lips curled into an uncivilized smile. "So that's how it's to be," he drawled. Not one drop of anger or suspicion marred his low, rumbly voice. Only intrigue. "Not many people would say that to me, but I think you know that. Care to tell me how you learned to be so brave?"
    Ah-h-h-h, the chase. There was nothing like it. "And if I do care?"
    He cut her a sharp look that told her what she thought didn't matter.
    "You said it yourself, Mr. Mansfield. I grew up in the French Quarter." She served up an extra thick drawl, with just the right New Orleans clipped tone. "There a girl learns to do what a girl has to do to survive."
    "Mr. Mansfield," he mocked. Oh, he was enjoying this all right. "Now there's a nice Southern touch. Doll, you can't be more than five years younger than me. I'd prefer you use my given name."
    Doll. The endearment was crude, insulting and one hell of a call to arms. "But Mr. Mansfield," she said through gritted teeth. "That wouldn't be proper—you're the boss."
    "Precisely, doll. That means you do as I say."
    She licked her lips, fighting the urge to sink her teeth into him. Figuratively, of course. "So it does."
    "And right now that means I want to hear you say my name— my first name."
    Cass shifted in the uncomfortable chair, milking the moment for all it was worth. She uncrossed her legs, then recrossed them, again leaving her calves exposed. A long time had passed since she'd felt this exhilarated, this heady, so she went with it, deciding there was no law against enjoying her job.
    Mansfield watched her with an expectant gleam in his cobalt eyes. He had that edgy look some women found irresistible, the kind they naively thought masked vulnerability. An intriguing theory, Cass noted, but not one she could afford to explore.
    Her gaze met his, her smile widened, and when she spoke, her voice held an extra dose of Southern honey. "Dare-ek."
    The two syllables whooshed out more like a caress than an address.
    He leaned back and linked his hands behind his head. "Again."
    "Dare- ek."
    "Again."
    She shifted in the chair. Never before had merely saying a man's name felt like foreplay. "Derek."
    This time her voice betrayed her, delivering the word softer than before, huskier, like a satisfied lover might coo as she rolled into a pair of strong arms.
    A smile curved his lips. "A man could get used to that."
    "So I've been told."
    "Have you, now?"
    The role of sultry New Orleans beauty, fish out of water in cold, brutal Chicago , was one she looked forward to exploring. "Just curious. Did you call me up here for a reason, or did you just want to hear me say your name?"
    "Is that a crime?"
    She conjured an innocent smile. "Would you care if it was?"
    He leaned back farther, bringing his crossed feet to rest on his desk. "What do you think?"
    That you are one dangerous man. She pushed the truth aside, refused to linger on his blatantly sexual position. "I don't think you give a damn."
    He laughed. "Not only beautiful, but smart, too."
    She knew better than to let him bait her, but couldn't let his sexist comment pass. "Not only insolent," she tossed right back, "but a real charmer, too." She slid up the sleeve of her jacket and made a show of checking her watch. "Now, if we're done, I should head back downstairs."
    "What's the hurry? You don't like playing truth or dare?"
    She stilled. At least ten feet separated them, including