Rachel and the Tough Guy by Jeanne Allan

“Suppose I said I’d investigate on one condition.”

Making difficult choices doesn’t mean a person likes them.” “Sometimes in lifer-” she selected her words carefully “-a person has to make choices. “You think going to the newspaper won’t hurt her?” Regardless of what you think of me, Dyan is my friend, and I don’t want her to suffer the same way.” For the last fifteen years I’ve lived with the knowledge that my father was accused of a crime he didn’t commit, and that he died because of that crime. “Listen, Bonelli,” Rachel said heatedly, “I’m twenty-seven years old. He wouldn’t believe her, but Rachel told him anyway. “I suppose you know Dyan well enough to know she’d throw you out on your ear if you mentioned this to her.” I knew I wasn’t important enough to make it past your secretary.” Twice Dyan had parties and I expected to see you there, but you were away on business.” That’s when I got the idea of having you investigate what happened.

You both refused to be interviewed, so it was a small article, but there was enough to tell me you two had become the leading experts on white-collar crime. “I read an article in the newspaper several years ago about you and Charlie and your company. “Is that what you would have done if this little job hadn’t fallen into your lap?” “I could have gone to the newspapers first instead of coming to you.” No matter what they’d done or not done, they’d undoubtedly come out of it with some mud clinging.” “You’d be gambling with the reputations of Dad and Thane. “You wouldn’t be able to control what a reporter dug up or what he did with the information,” he said slowly. Wouldn’t you do as much for your father?” His eyes barely flickered, but Rachel knew her question hit home. “I have to fight with the weapons I have. She threw up her head to meet his black gaze. His knuckles turned white where he gripped the crutch. “I can’t afford another investigator.” Her hands curled at her sides.

Incapacitated or not, Nicholas Bonelli gave off exceedingly dangerous vibes. The icy, controlled voice dispelled any notion Rachel might have harbored of a weakened, defenseless convalescent.

Rachel and the Tough Guy by Jeanne Allan