For The Defense. M.J. Rodgers

in her daughter’s direction, and Mel retreated into the kitchen.

      “I feel like I’m kicking you out of your home,” Margaret said, distress in her tone.

      “Don’t, Mom. It’s time we got our own place. I’ll have the last of my student loans paid off in a couple of months. I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t taken us in after Tony took off. Without you there would have been no law school, no—”

      “Dear, you’ve thanked me a million times,” Margaret interrupted. “And not a one of them has been necessary. I’ve loved having you and Mel here.”

      Diana felt the same tug in her chest that she had first experienced when she finally realized what an incredible mom she had. How blind she’d been as a child—totally idolizing her father and all but ignoring her mother’s crucial role in their lives. Kids were so damn dumb. Well, except for Mel, of course.

      Thoughts of her daughter brought Diana to her feet. Time she got back to the business of finding them a place to live. One day she’d get a place out in the country like this. But for now, a city apartment would have to suffice.

      “Have you told Mel that your aunt Shirley is going to be living with you?” Margaret called out before Diana had reached the door.

      “Not yet,” Diana admitted.

      “Coward.”

      Diana laughed as she turned around to face her mom. “We won’t be late. I can’t be. I have an early-morning meeting with a judge on a plea-bargain, and then I have to see the investigator I’ve hired on Connie Pearce’s case.”

      “The movie star turned private investigator?”

      “I see Mel told you.”

      “Some actors don’t look nearly as good in person as they do on the screen,” Margaret said. “What do you think about Jack Knight?”

      “I think an engaged lady like yourself shouldn’t be asking about handsome men when you have a first-class fiancé to ogle.”

      Margaret grinned. “Ah, so you do think he’s handsome.”

      Diana rested her free hand on her hip in feigned irritation. “Ever since you’ve gotten engaged you’ve developed this annoying tendency to try to fix me up.”

      Her mother’s face was full of mischief. “Is that what I’ve been doing?”

      “First with your insurance salesman. Then with Ray’s stepson. Now with this private investigator. What gets into brides-to-be? Can’t you stand seeing us happy single folk content with unwedded bliss?”

      Margaret’s grin widened. “Being in love is so wonderful I’m filled with an overwhelming desire to spread that feeling around. Can’t think of anyone I’d rather spread it to than you.”

      “SO DID YOU and Mel find an apartment yet?” Jack asked the moment he walked into Diana’s office Tuesday morning.

      His simple, conversational question was met with a noticeable pause from Diana. Most women he’d met were more than willing to share news about everyday events. Their biggest complaint was that men were too focused on themselves to ask about a woman’s concerns or listen to what she had to say.

      But Diana seemed determined not to share much about herself.

      Still, she’d let down her guard at lunch the day before. He’d heard the anger and sadness in her voice when she’d spoken of her client’s suicide. For a strong woman, she had a soft heart.

      A head shake was all he got in answer to his question.

      She handed him a folder. “That’s the copy of the sheriff’s report on Bruce’s death and the other stuff you asked for. Is your brother going to investigate Amy’s hit-and-run?”

      There she was, right back to business. Definitely not the response he was used to getting from women. Did she not find him attractive, or was she too much of a professional to let on?

      He told himself the answer wasn’t important. She was keeping their relationship businesslike and for that he was glad.

      “I contacted Jared as we discussed,” Jack said in response to her question. “He’ll let us know if and when he finds anything. I also began the search into Bruce Weaton’s background. Now that I know where he went to school and who his friends were, I should be able to—”

      “How did you find out those things so quickly?”

      There was far more challenge than curiosity in her tone.

      Jack repositioned himself on her exceptionally uncomfortable guest chair as he set the folder she’d given him on his lap.

      “I have no problem indulging your curiosity, Diana. But your question comes across more like a cross-examination of my investigation techniques.”

      “It was.”

      Her candor came as a complete shock, which must have been apparent, because a small smile lifted her lips.

      She had enjoyed surprising him. Maybe as much as he’d enjoyed surprising her.

      “So, you want me to assume that you know how to do your job?” she asked.

      She was testing him. “As I’m assuming you know how to do your job.”

      That made her smirk. “But you won’t take exception to my asking questions purely out of curiosity?”

      “I’m always happy to satisfy the curious.”

      She inched forward on her chair. “Then strictly out of curiosity, how did you find out about Bruce’s schooling and friends so fast?”

      “His obituary mentioned the schools he’d attended,” Jack volunteered easily because he was satisfied that she’d been honest about her motives. “A glimpse at the guest registry at the mortuary where his services were held last year told me who cared enough to show up.”

      “Doesn’t that guest registry go to the family?”

      “Smart mortuary personnel keep a copy, knowing that a family in mourning may misplace theirs.”

      She rested against the back of her chair. “Seems so simple now that you’ve explained.”

      “Everything seems simple once you have the answer. Knowing where and how to get the answer is what separates the professional from the amateur.”

      An amused eyebrow lifted. “Was that another reminder that you are a professional and deserve to be treated as one?”

      Jack smiled. “A very gentle reminder. I’m always careful not to inflict any unnecessary bruises.”

      “As opposed to the necessary ones?” Her brief smile was good-natured.

      So, she had a nice sense of humor lurking behind her formal façade. Getting past this woman’s defenses might not be easy. But Jack was becoming more certain by the minute that the effort would be worthwhile.

      “Anything else you feel curious about this morning, Diana?”

      Damn, he was flirting with her. He hadn’t meant to, but those last words had come out full of invitation. Unable to take them back, he carefully wiped the come-hither smile off his lips.

      She studied him intently for a minute, then pushed a thick binder in his direction. “Before you get too involved in investigating Bruce’s background, I need some quick input on these.”

      Not only had she not flirted back, she’d completely ignored his flirting. Relief vied with an odd disappointment.

      Jack picked up the thick binder. “What are these?”

      “The preliminary jury questionnaires. They list names, addresses, driver’s license numbers and other pertinent information as well as the answers to the basic questions of whether they’ve heard about the case