Heat Of The Night. Donna Kauffman

the press conference any way she saw fit. But technically anything said or done that dealt in any way with this case fell under his jurisdiction and it would be sloppy of him not to watch every move she made like a hawk.

      “No conclusive evidence,” he said, not bothering to deflect the matter either. If he was going to have to deal with her—and it was apparent after this morning that he had zero choice there—he wasn’t going to waste more time than absolutely necessary on it. He raised a hand when she would have interrupted. He would be in charge, however. Whether she liked it or not. “There are enough unusual elements that we can’t rule out foul play. He did die of a heart attack.”

      Her mouth dropped open in dismay.

      “But we’re running toxicology tests to see if he wasn’t helped along there a bit.” She snapped her mouth shut, not entirely happy with the circumstances, but apparently knowing better than to badger him about it. Because she didn’t, he found himself opening his mouth and giving her another small bit. “There was no evidence of any semen.”

      Now her eyebrows lifted. “Really?”

      He had to smile. “What, you really didn’t believe your own angle? This is good news for your side, you know.”

      “Since when are you concerned about my side?” She smiled, but waved a hand before he could reply. “Forget that. I should be thanking you for giving me the information without making me wheedle it out of you.”

      “For the record, I don’t respond well to wheedling.”

      “So I’ve noticed.” They stood there, staring at each other several moments longer than necessary. Just as the tension between them turned…questionable, she turned and nodded to the file on his desk. “Is that the report?”

      “Don’t push it, Mahoney. I’ve already given you more than I have to. Just make sure you don’t hurt the investigation with it.”

      “I don’t know whether to be offended or complimented. But don’t worry, your trust hasn’t been misplaced.”

      “Who said anything about trust?” He moved behind his desk. For some reason, simply standing near her made his body hum. The width of the desk wasn’t much of a barrier, but he’d take what he could get. “For the time being, our goals are falling on a somewhat mutual plane. I have to do more digging now, and keeping the press off the sexual angle works for me.”

      “So you’re saying you think this was a murder? And Sanderson was set up to be found like that?”

      He looked directly at her. “I’m not saying anything.”

      She sighed. “Will you be at the press conference?”

      “You seem to have that covered. I don’t need to be answering questions that are better left unasked until I have more information.” He pulled his chair out, signaling that their meeting was over.

      Erin jotted a few notes on a notepad, then slid it back in the satchel she had slung over her shoulder. “Thanks, Brady.”

      “Don’t thank me. You’re the one that has to deal with the wolves this afternoon.”

      “Why is it I think you’re starting to like this division of labor?”

      “Did I say that?” How did she do that? He’d been all business, then she pulled a smile out of him with seemingly little effort.

      “I’m beginning to realize it’s what you don’t say that a woman should pay attention to.”

      “I beg your pardon?”

      She laughed. “That’s one thing that hasn’t changed about you, Brady. I could never make you beg for anything.” She turned and he knew he’d been sucked in too deep, because he watched her move and angle that shapely body of hers past each and every desk on her way to the door.

      She turned at the door, catching him watching her. “I’ll call you when the conference is over and give you an update.”

      He could only nod. When she was gone, he sat down heavily in his chair. He closed his eyes, but he could still see her face, the sharp intelligence fairly glowing in those green eyes of hers, the delighted little twinkle that surfaced when she teased him. She might be a knockout, but it was the self-assurance she wore, as perfectly tailored as those hot little suits she shrugged into each morning, that was the more potent aphrodisiac.

      Make him beg? Oh yes. She’d been back in his life less than twenty-four hours and he already wanted to beg her for mercy. But mercy in what form?