Taken to the Edge Read Online Free PDF Page B

passed, he wore down her caution and resistance until she quit censoring herself.
    The challenging edge in her blue eyes softened.
    Something else happened, though it was hardly unexpected. Ford found himself wanting her with the same intensity he’d felt in high school.
    “Do you still smoke?” he asked abruptly, half hoping she would say yes. Nothing turned him off more than the smell of cigarettes on a woman.
    “What?” She laughed. “Where did that come from?”
    “I don’t know. I just remembered that you smoked in high school. Down by the Art Building.”
    “How would you know what went on at the Art Building? You and your jock friends probably never set foot in there. Too afraid someone would think you were gay.”
    True enough. He wouldn’t have been caught dead taking an art class. He’d taken music appreciation to satisfy his arts credits, and that was bad enough.
    Ford shrugged. “I spied on you.”
    “You mean, you were like a student narc? ” she said, her distaste evident.
    He shook his head. “No, that wasn’t it at all. I just liked to watch you.” He couldn’t believe he was telling her this. But the woman had just told him about her and Eldon’s sexual habits, and he’d shared nothing with her. Not that working this case had anything to do with mutual sharing. But he appreciated her frankness, and wanted to keep the honest line of communication open. A little confession on his part was good for his soul.
    “You were a Peeping Tom.”
    “I didn’t say I spied on you in the girls’ locker room.” So much for confession. Maybe it was better if he abandoned this line of conversation. He could interrogate the hardest of criminals, but when it came to sharing his own feelings, he was a washout. Kathy, his ex-wife, had pointed that out to him with annoying frequency. When she wasn’t badgering him to seek another promotion.
    “I quit smoking when I got engaged to Eldon. He tried to make me over into someone worthy to be a Jas person.”
    “How’d that work for him?”
    “Not well enough, in his mother’s opinion. She thought a degree in art was useless, a career as a teacher was common. And working with disadvantaged kids? Repulsive. ‘God knows what sort of parasites and germs you bring home from work.’”
    “I was blessed with a nice mother-in-law,” Ford said. That had been one of the worst things about the divorce—losing Stella along with Kathy.
    “Was? You’re divorced?”
    “I was something of a disappointment to my wife.”
    Robyn studied him, as if trying to figure out exactly what his ex-wife had found lacking in him. He didn’t want to go there. It was a grocery list.
    “It’s late,” he said, “and we have a long day tomorrow. Raleigh will get us the court order that will allow us access to all the evidence. When that happens, we’ll get media attention, so be prepared.”
    “I hate reporters.”
    “Reporters are our friends. They’re going to put the word out that we’re looking for information and that we’re willing to pay for it. Be nice to them.”
    “If I have to. What should I do?”
    “You figure out how to get Eldon to admit he was with someone that night. We’re going to visit him as soon as possible.”
    “What about Trina? She was pretty upset. Should I try to talk to her?”
    “Frankly, I consider Trina a loose cannon. I sure as hell don’t want her talking to Eldon about his indiscretions before we can get to him.”
    Ford paid their check, refusing the money Robyn offered for her part. “I have an expense account.”
    As they exited into another warm, muggy night, Robyn stopped suddenly. “Hell, I don’t have a way to get home. Trina was my ride.”
    “I’ll take you.”

    R OBYN HAD TRIED TO DISSUADE Ford from taking her home. She could have called a cab. But Ford had insisted, though it was far out of his way to drive all the way to Green Prairie.
    She was glad he drove a large car. Even so, it felt crowded. The big, muscular