.

closed her eyes as turbulent emotions threatened to overcome her. Her brother wasn’t guilty and there was no way Evan could make her believe otherwise.

      “Still want to prosecute this case?” Evan asked arrogantly.

      Her eyes flew open, her blue eyes burning him like a laser. “That’s cruel.”

      Evan picked up a pencil and tapped it on his desk. “It might be, but you and I both know you have a choice to make. You can’t play both sides.”

      Her eyes continued to burn. “You’ll have my written resignation in an hour.”

      He laid the pencil down slowly. “It didn’t take you long to make that decision.”

      “This is my family!” she shouted. “Do you even understand what that means?”

      “Your brother committed a horrible crime. Do you understand what that means?”

      She covered her ears with her hands. “Stop saying that!”

      “It’s the truth, so you’d better start facing it because we’re going to prosecute this to the fullest extent.”

      She removed her hands and tried to swallow the huge lump that had formed in her throat. After a moment, she asked, “Where are they?”

      “In jail, of course,” was the quick response. “But I’m sure Johnson will have your father out in no time. Blake, that’s another matter. He’s a flight risk. I don’t know if I’m going to recommend bail.”

      The lump in her throat became so large she couldn’t breathe. She struggled to maintain her poise. “He won’t flee. I promise.”

      Evan twirled the pencil in his hand. “Are you asking me for a favor?”

      “I’m asking you to be fair. That’s all.”

      “I’ll give it some thought.”

      “When can I see the evidence?”

      Evan lifted an eyebrow. “Are you going to represent them?”

      “No, but I want to see what we’re up against.”

      Evan stared directly at her. “You’re not going to see a thing,” he said. “Blake’s lawyer is the only one who’ll be looking at the evidence. And I’d like to know who that is as soon as possible.”

      “I’m sure you would.” She narrowed her eyes as something occurred to her. “How did you get Blake’s DNA sample?”

      “Don’t worry, it’s all legal. You won’t find a loophole there.” Evan got to his feet. “I’m sorry it had to end like this, Blair. You’re a good attorney.” He shrugged, then added, “Gwen will take over your caseload. Be sure to talk to her about Raye’s sentencing.”

      Blair didn’t say anything as she walked to the door. There was nothing left to say. Evan had made up his mind, and now she had to find a way to save her brother.

      And her father.

      LUCAS WAS SIGNING letters and finishing up some last-minute details. He had a hearing at the courthouse, then he was free for the rest of the day. He was looking forward to his evening with Jennifer. He’d gotten sidetracked by the Logan family, but he wasn’t making that mistake again. He’d told Jennifer about the job offer and she understood. He’d sent roses to show he was sincere.

      Lucas glanced up as Joan burst through the door gasping for breath.

      He stood immediately. “What’s wrong?”

      “I…I…” She held a hand to her chest and took a gulp of air. “I…ran from my car… I had to tell you…what’s happening…”

      “What?”

      Joan collapsed into a chair. “Sam Logan’s been arrested.”

      There was a long pause, then Lucas smiled. “Did you have margaritas with lunch again?”

      Joan shook her head. “I only did that once and it was my sixtieth birthday and you don’t have to keep reminding me.”

      “Well, you’re talking nonsense.”

      “I am not,” she snapped. “Sam Logan’s been arrested and so has his son, Blake.”

      The smile left Lucas’s face. “What the hell for?”

      Joan spoke in a rush. “Years ago Mr. Logan represented Todd Easton for the murder and rape of a young girl. Mr. Logan lost the case and Easton broke out of jail and beat up Sam’s daughter for revenge. The police shot and killed Easton.” She took another breath. “There were two sets of skin under the girl’s nails, but they could never identify the other boy. Now they have. They say it’s Blake Logan and that Sam paid Easton to keep quiet.”

      “Oh, God,” Lucas said, sinking into his chair. None of this made sense. “I met Blake last night and he seemed like a nice guy—clean-cut and decent.” He looked at Joan. “Are you sure about this?”

      She raised her eyes to the ceiling, then got up and switched on the TV set in the corner. There, in living color, were Sam and Blake in handcuffs being escorted to jail. Reporters hovered around, throwing out questions that went unanswered. The TV reporter was giving an update of the events and it was pretty much as Joan had said.

      “See?” Joan muttered, switching off the set. “So do you think this had anything to do with Mr. Logan’s job offer?”

      The same thought had occurred to Lucas. “I’m not sure,” he admitted. “Sam has a very good team. Why would he need me?”

      “Lucas Culver.” She sighed in annoyance. “You’re better than all of them put together and Sam Logan knows it. If you ask me, you’ll be getting a call from him.” She grabbed her side. “God, I’m too old to be running. I think I’m having a heart attack.”

      “Don’t you dare have a heart attack,” he called out as she walked into her own office.

      “Such sympathy,” she mumbled, closing the door.

      Lucas sat there, stunned. But one thought kept invading his mind—Blair. How was she taking this? She and Blake were twins—this had to be hard for her. He straightened. Oh, God, Blair worked in the D.A.’s office. How in the hell was she handling that? Even as he asked the question, he knew the answer. He’d bet she’d already resigned. He didn’t know Blair well, but he knew her loyalty was with her family.

      He went over last night’s events in his head. Did Blair know what was going to happen? Was that why she seemed nervous and edgy? Blair suppressed her emotions, so it was difficult to tell. But his heart ached for her and that threw him. The woman had done everything but scratch his eyes out, yet here he was feeling sorry for her.

      God, what a mess.

      But it wasn’t his mess.

      By the end of the week he’d be with Jacob, Miranda and the kids. He needed that peace and the serenity Jacob was always talking about. He sighed. The older he got, the more he was becoming like his big brother. Maybe that wasn’t a bad thing, though.

      As he signed the last letter, his thoughts returned to Blair. He told himself that he shouldn’t waste his time; she wouldn’t appreciate his concern. She’d already told him that. Then why in hell couldn’t he stop thinking about her?

      Dammit, Blair.

      CHAPTER FIVE

      BLAIR TYPED her resignation, signed it and handed it to Evan personally. She then cleared her personal belongings out of the office and left. She went immediately to the jail, hoping to see her father and Blake, where she was told that her father had been released on his own recognizance and Blake was still being processed. She asked to see him, but they wouldn’t let her. They said he could only see his attorney. She started to lie and say she was his lawyer, but