AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He knew he should be working, but he couldn’t concentrate. It was like yesterday, only worse. Because yesterday had been preceded by the night before when Kate had come to his house and exploded into brilliant sparks right in front of his eyes. Now he knew how those sparks burned and ignited his blood. Now he knew what it was like to immerse himself in Kate.
And he wasn’t really sure what to do about it. He never got involved with coworkers. Never. Now here he was entangled in Kate.
“Mr. St. James.”
“I’m coming,” he said into the intercom and grabbed the camel jacket across the back of his chair and shrugged into it.
He walked out of his office, past the watchful eye of his assistant. “Are you okay, Mr. St. James?”
“I’m fine, Sandy.”
“You seem awfully distracted.”
“I’m really fine.”
He left his suite of offices and made his way to DA Roth’s.
He opened the door and stopped dead when he saw Kate sitting in front of the big, formidable desk. “Kate,” he said softly, unable to disguise his delight in seeing her.
She smiled at him. “Jericho.”
DA Roth was scowling. “Take a seat, St. James.”
Jericho took the chair next to Kate’s and cast her a quizzical look. She shrugged.
“It’s come to my attention that you, Ms. Quinn, are harassing Ken Mitchell and his father.”
Kate launched herself to her feet, her eyes narrowing. “That’s a lie. I’m not harassing anyone.”
“Sit down, Ms. Quinn. It’s also come to my attention that the suspect in custody for the LePlante murder is a personal friend of yours.”
“That’s right.”
“I don’t appreciate one of my employees carrying out a personal vendetta against two of the finest citizens of this city just because you’re trying to clear your friend. It smacks of a conflict of interest.”
“With all due respect, Matt, Kate came to me two nights ago asking to be relieved of this case for that very reason.”
“And?”
“I told her that I trusted her to remain professional and do her job, no matter what her feelings were.”
“Well, that was poor judgment, Jericho.”
Jericho stiffened. In all the time that he’d worked in the DA’s office, Matt Roth had given him free rein and relied on him exclusively for his opinion and advice. It shocked him that now he would reprimand him like a sullen teenager. “Not in my opinion, Matt. You used to take my word at face value.”
“The Mitchells are very important citizens, and I will not have my people harassing them.”
“So that’s what this is about,” Kate said caustically. “Their campaign contributions. No matter that Ken Mitchell could have strangled a woman to death as long as he continues to put money in your coffers.”
“That, young lady, is out of line. Can you prove Mitchell killed Mrs. LePlante?”
“No.”
“Then—”
“Not yet.”
“Perhaps you don’t wish to accept that your friend is guilty.”
