Straight from the Heart. Linda Warren

      “Cut the crap, Blair. I know why you’re here.”

      She shook her head in frustration; this was not going the way she’d planned. “Lucas—”

      “I’ll make this simple for you,” he said, not concealing his anger. “If you’re here to ask for my help, the answer is no.”

      “That’s unfair,” she cried. “You haven’t even heard what I have to say.”

      “I’m not interested.”

      “My brother’s innocent. He didn’t murder that girl.”

      “Sounds like the D.A. has an airtight case.”

      “I know you can poke holes in everything he has.”

      Lucas’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? So you need a cutthroat attorney? That’s what you called me, isn’t it? A cutthroat attorney putting criminals back on the streets for big bucks and personal gain.”

      Her cheeks grew hotter and she gripped her hands together. “Yes, I said that,” she admitted. “And at the time I meant it. I had my reasons for feeling that way….”

      Blair realized her hopes were dwindling fast. “Blake and I are twins,” she said. “We’re closer than most siblings.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “I can’t let him be convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Please help me.”

      Dear Reader,

      I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your many letters and e-mail messages concerning The Truth About Jane Doe and Deep in the Heart of Texas. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the books.

      Straight from the Heart is a story about Lucas Culver, Jacob’s brother in Deep in the Heart of Texas (published in August 2000). He was a strong character in that book and my editor and I felt he would make a great hero. So my job began: finding the perfect woman for Lucas.

      Lucas is an outgoing, well-liked defense attorney who truly believes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I had to find a woman who was his complete opposite so I’d have something to write about! The heroine is Blair Logan, a courageous, straitlaced assistant district attorney; she’s dedicated her life to putting criminals behind bars. How these two people come together in a quest for love and truth—that’s what this book is about. I hope it will keep you turning the pages.

      From my heart to yours, I give you Lucas and Blair’s story. Enjoy.

      Sincerely,

      Linda Warren

      Thanks again for the many letters. I love hearing from you. I can be reached at P.O. Box 5182, Bryan TX 77805 or you can e-mail me at [email protected].

      Straight from the Heart

      Linda Warren

      I dedicate this book to my parents.

      When I think of my dad, I remember his big heart,

       his wonderful sense of humor and his belief that I could do

       anything. He’s the reason I had enough courage to try my

       hand at writing. Ever since I can remember, I have loved to

       read. Whenever my dad saw me reading, he’d say,

       “Girl, you always got your head in a book.” One day,

       just to get my attention, he added, “You should be reading

       those encyclopedias I spent so much money on, then

       you’d be learning something.” After that, when he saw me

       reading, I’d say before he could, “No, Daddy, I haven’t

       read those encyclopedias yet.” It became a standing joke

       between us. Then one day, out of the blue, he said,

       “Girl, you’ve read so many books, why don’t you

       write one?” That’s how the dream began.

      Sadly, before my dream could become a reality, my dad

       passed away. But when a senior editor at Harlequin called

       to say she wanted to buy my first book, I could almost hear

       his voice. And I said, before he could, “No, Daddy, I

       haven’t read those encyclopedias yet, but I’ve learned

       something. Hard work pays off. Just like you taught me.”

      So I dedicate this book to my father, James Siegert.

      And to my mother, Mary Siegert. When I think of my

       mother, words fail me. She was the center of our family,

       always there for her children, and since I was the only girl,

       we had a close relationship. When Alzheimer’s took her

       mind, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life.

       She passed away while I was writing this book.

       She is at peace now and she is with my dad and

       she remembers. Momma, I love you—always.

      And to the other mother in my life, my mother-in-law,

       Faye White, who breaks the stereotypes about

       mothers-in-law. Thanks for the love and support.

      And a special thanks to Gil Schultz, the investigator, and

       Laurie Siegert, my lawyer niece, who answered all my

       questions with patience and understanding.

      Any errors you find are definitely mine.

      CONTENTS

      CHAPTER ONE

      CHAPTER TWO

      CHAPTER THREE

      CHAPTER FOUR

      CHAPTER FIVE

      CHAPTER SIX

      CHAPTER SEVEN

      CHAPTER EIGHT

      CHAPTER NINE

      CHAPTER TEN

      CHAPTER ELEVEN

      CHAPTER TWELVE

      CHAPTER THIRTEEN

      CHAPTER FOURTEEN

      CHAPTER FIFTEEN

      CHAPTER SIXTEEN

      CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

      CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

      CHAPTER NINETEEN

      EPILOGUE

      CHAPTER ONE

      BLAIR LOGAN HELD her breath as the jurors filed into the jury box. She studied their faces, trying to gauge their state of mind. Their solemn expressions told her nothing. Look at me, she begged. Let me know you’re on my side. But the jurors’ attention was focused on the judge. That wasn’t bad and it wasn’t good. She folded her hands in her lap and waited.

      “Madam Foreperson, have you reached a unanimous verdict?” the judge’s voice rang out.

      The foreperson stood. “Yes, we have, Your Honor,” she answered and handed a piece of paper to the bailiff. The bailiff took it to the judge, who read it quickly and handed it back.

      “Will the defendant please rise,” the judge said.

      Hector Raye, along with his attorney, Lucas Culver, got to their feet.

      “What is your verdict, Madam Foreperson?” the judge asked.

      “On the count of the indictment—murder in the first degree. We find the defendant guilty.”

      Yes, yes, yes, ran jubilantly