Abducted Heart (Z-Series) Read Online Free

two?”
    “The ones we, as a couple, are involved with, yes. I do help my father with a few of his.”
    “Let's stick to you and Brent for now. If we don't find anything there, we'll turn to your father.”
    “Okay.” Casey handed Lynch a mug of coffee. She poured herself a cup and went to sit at the kitchen table and signaled for him to take the seat across from her. This was going to be a long night, especially with Lynch in the same room after a ten year absence. Simply his presence had her heart racing and her body's temperature going haywire.
    “How are your finances?” he asked.
    Her gaze shot back to him. “Fine. Why would you ask that?” she snapped.
    “Calm down, Casey. I'm covering all bases. I need to know every angle—every possibility. Speaking of money. Were you able to get that from your father?”
    Casey nodded. “He knows something's wrong, but I didn't tell him what the money was for. He would have insisted on taking care of everything, and Brent would end up dead. Daddy doesn't like him very much.”
    “Why? You'd think he'd find him more acceptable than he had me,” he shot back, a smug look on his face.
    “Look, Lynch, I don't want to talk about Daddy. I want Brent home alive. You have to see that that happens.”
    “I'll do the best I can. How about your neighbors? Anyone seem especially observant? Interested in you or Brent's routine?”
    Mrs. Cramer popped into her head. “The lady to the left of us is always watching everyone. But it can't be her. She's just a big gossip.”
    “Okay, but she might be able to tell me if anyone strange has been hanging around. I'll talk to her once we finish up here.”
    “I doubt she'd open up. She's pretty leery of people she doesn't know. Besides, if you talk to her, she'll tell two friends, and next thing you know, everyone in New Orleans will know Brent was kidnapped.”
    “Since she's a woman, talking to her won't be a problem. Trust me. When I finish with her, our discussion will be the last thing on her mind.”
    Boy, did he have a high opinion of himself. Although Casey had to admit, he was the best looking man she'd ever seen, with a body that went way beyond average. His large shoulders fit snugly into a pale blue shirt, and from the taut muscles beneath, you could tell he had to work out almost every day.
    Sweat beaded on Casey's upper lip.
    Maybe Marian would tell him everything, and possibly even flirt with him since she'd been a widow for a long time now.
    Acid worked its way into her throat.
    Why did the idea cause such a reaction in her stomach? She had no claim on Lynch. Ten years ago, perhaps, but not anymore. He was free to do whatever or whoever he wanted, and she had nothing to say about it, no matter how much she might want to.

 
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    Lynch rang the doorbell to Casey's neighbor's house, then took a step back, determined that he’d charm the woman's pants off if need be to attain the information he sought. Nothing was too much to ask in his line of work. The nation depended on him to be willing to give his life or body to retrieve intelligence. In this case, it wasn't for his country, yet he'd still do whatever it took to find out who abducted Brent. Not for the man himself, but for Brent's father since Lynch respected him.
    And, because of Casey.
    The door rattled on the inside and slowly opened.
    The lady standing partially behind the green door had to be in her late forties, early fifties. As she studied him, her pupils dilated.
    Good .
    That meant she liked what she saw and that would work to his advantage—at least it had up until now.
    “Can I help you?”
    “Marian, right? I'm Brent's brother. He lives next door. I was wondering if I could come in and talk to you for a moment.” He gave her the smile —a white-toothed grin that usually won him the admiration of every female around. “I know what you're thinking, no lady in her right mind would allow a complete stranger into her home. Stupid