Xs, An Allie Armington Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page A

that happens at
those parties.”
    He pales and takes a small step backward. “Jesus. If
they ever find out I’m involved, I’m dead.”
    I offer a small comfort. “I don’t think the police
will nab you personally. They just want—”
    He looks at me as if I’m mindless. “The police are
the least of my worries. I’m worried about the men at the top.
Those people are très formidable.”
    I ignore his attempt at French. “I’m hoping you’ll
help us.” “Help you? With what?”
    “Get back into The Castle.”
    He brushes past me and heads for the door. “No way
in hell.” When Cliff opens it, Greene flashes his badge and backs
him into the room.
    “You’re not going anywhere, Danes. Not until we have
a little off-the-record chat.”
    Cliff puffs. “I am definitely not having any kind of
chat. On or off the record.”
    Greene doesn’t miss a beat. “Okay, if you insist.
Let’s head down to the precinct and handle business there.”
    Cliff gives an indignant sniff. “I want a
lawyer.”
    “Fine. We’ll be happy to Mirandize you. And then you
can call your attorney. But if you cooperate, it might go easier
for you.”
    “What if I don’t?”
    “Ever spent time in prison?”
    Cliff pales, gropes for the chair and slides into
it. “For taking a date to a private party?”
    “You crossed state lines. How do we know you didn’t
plan to use Miss Armington as a prostitute?” “Hold on here. My
sister—”
    Angela cuts me off. “I can assure you that I was
downstairs the whole evening, thank-you-very-much.”
    The detective ignores us. “We could probably nail
you for participating in a pandering operation. Or, as an accessory
to drug-trafficking.” He pauses to let his words sink in. “I guess
a good attorney could get you off, but it’ll be all over the press
when it breaks.”
    Cliff buries his face in his hands for a few
seconds, then looks up. “And if I cooperate?”
    “I can pretty much promise to make this go
away.”
    The color returns to Cliff ’s face and he leans back
in his chair. “No harm in asking the details.”
    “We want you to attend the next party and make a
trade.” “Tell me why I should.”
    “Miss Armington wasn’t traded. Make a trade this
trip and we’re in like Flynn. Each man she meets will be researched
and profiled. All we need is a few names to make the subpoenas
stick.” Angela breaks in. “Look, Greene, I told you I’m not hanging
around here long enough for that.”
    She turns to me and gives an impish grin. “But maybe
Allie might.”
    My mouth drops open as my heart begins to race. What
is it that attracts me to danger? The adrenalin rush? That perilous
but exciting walk on the ragged edge?
    When I was a child my crazy stunts drove my parents
nuts. I climbed the highest trees, jumped out of the loft in my
grandfather’s barn and did any other stupid daredevil thing I could
dream up. And even though I’m an adult and a successful attorney, I
still crave that excitement.
    Cliff ’s head swivels my way. “Her? She doesn’t
remotely look like—sorry, Allie.”
    His words sting, but he speaks the truth. Angela is
the beauty of our family with high cheekbones, a classic nose and
some long lost ancestor’s tawny tint to her hair.
    My genes are slightly rearranged. I’m almost as
tall, almost as pretty, except my mousy-brown mop frizzes at the
slightest provocation.
    I shoot him a baleful look, then turn to Greene. “A
trip to The Castle? How intriguing.”
    Cliff studies me a few seconds. “Why on earth would
you accept such an offer? I thought you had some high-powered job
in Houston.”
    “Not that it’s any of your business, but things are
slow at the law firm right now. Actually, I have no prospective
clients at the moment. So, when Angela called, I decided to go ‘of
counsel’ and take a short leave of absence.”
    Cliff shakes his head. “I get it that you’re bored
and looking for some sort of kick in the pants, but why would