Vanished (Private Justice Book #1): A Novel Read Online Free PDF

his professional services—and he didn’t mix business and pleasure. Ever. None of the Phoenix PIs did. It was a bad practice that could compromise objectivity.
    So why did he have a feeling he might have difficulty maintaining a professional distance with this client?
    And why did that make him feel guilty?
    But he knew the answer to the second question.
    Cal swiveled away from Moira, toward the framed photograph of a tropical seascape that had once graced the pages of a national travel magazine. Lindsey had had the ability to take ordinary scenes and imbue them with depth and magic and possibilities, her touch transforming them into more than they’d been before.
    Just as she’d transformed him.
    And in the five years she’d been gone, his love for her hadn’t diminished one iota. He doubted it ever would. She’d captured his heart with her vivacious smile that long-ago day he’d pulled her over for a traffic stop and she’d charmed him out of writing a ticket. It had been hers ever since.
    End of story.
    Compressing his lips into a firm line, Cal turned back to his computer and began typing his report. And he didn’t look up—didn’t let himself look up—until Moira spoke ten minutes later.
    “I’m finished.” She rose, crossed to his desk, and handed him the form.
    A quick scan told him she’d left some lines blank. SocialSecurity number. Date of birth. License number. Didn’t she realize he could get all that information in minutes?
    As if reading his mind, she spoke. “I don’t like to give out a lot of personal data. But I suppose it won’t be hard for you to track it down.”
    “No.” Why lie?
    Despite his candor, she didn’t offer to provide the missing information. Maybe she hoped he wouldn’t bother checking it out.
    Not a chance. The gaps on the sheet left him more intrigued than ever.
    “Why don’t I contact the deputy, get the report, and give you a call in a day or two?” He double-checked the form to verify she’d included her address and cell phone number.
    “That works.” She retrieved her purse, settled it on her shoulder, and held out her hand. “Thank you for your time today—and for treating my story more seriously than anyone did on Friday night. I’m not crazy, Mr. Burke. I know what I saw.”
    He returned her steady clasp, fighting a disquieting urge to hold on longer than necessary. “I have no reason to doubt you, especially with your journalism background. What kind of writing do you do?”
    “For now, I’m filling in wherever they need help until an investigative slot opens. That was my specialty in Springfield, before I moved here a few weeks ago.”
    “Promotion?”
    She flashed him a quick smile. “Yes.”
    “Congratulations. From what I hear, journalism’s a tough business these days. You must be good.” She didn’t respond as he fished a card out of his pocket and handed it to her. “My cell number is on there too. Feel free to call at any time if you think of additional information that might be helpful.”
    “I doubt I will. I’ve been over the events in my mind dozens of times already.” Nevertheless, she tucked the card into a pocket in her purse.
    “Let me show you out.” He indicated the door.
    She exited, and he followed her down the hall.
    The reception area was deserted when they passed through and said their good-byes. No surprise there. Nikki hadn’t wasted any time getting back to her Pilates regime after she returned to work from her honeymoon yesterday. Fitness was high on her lunch-hour priority list. Far higher than the mess in Dev’s office.
    But his partner’s pile of files would have to wait another day, anyway.
    Because he had a research assignment for Nikki this afternoon that he hoped might help clear up a mess far greater than Dev’s.

3
    O kay. What’s the scoop on the babe?” Dev strolled into Cal’s office and plopped a white restaurant bag on his desk.
    Cal swiveled away from his computer and reached for the