Double Jeopardy (Entangled Select) Read Online Free Page A

to pick up the phone, and then changed his mind. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the morgue,” he snarled on his way out.
    Ginnie looked up from her typing. “A perfect place to find a woman, if I say so myself. The ones there can’t scream at you or threaten to cut off your balls when your checks are late.” She mocked embarrassment. “Oh me, and here I promised to be a lady. Well, hell, that’s what she said. Something about using them the next time she played tennis.”
    Josh’s answer was to whip his hand over his head with the middle digit standing proudly.
    “Same to you, boss,” Ginnie’s voice followed after him.
    …
    Lauren sifted through her in-box. “Pete, I can’t find your report on the Thompson post. Did you bring it by yet?”
    Her second-in-command remained standing in the office doorway as if the last thing he wanted to do was cross the threshold into enemy territory.
    Pete Ignatius wasn’t known as Igor for nothing. Barely five feet seven inches, with a slightly hunched-over, narrow body and even more narrow features, colorless eyes that refused to look at a person, and pale skin from too much time spent under fluorescent lighting, he was a pitiful picture. The green cotton surgical scrubs he wore only made his skin look more sallow. It seemed he enjoyed capitalizing on his less-than-normal exterior.
    “I haven’t finished it yet.” Even his voice came out in a slight nasal whine that grated on the ears.
    Lauren silently counted to ten, something she’d been doing every time she dealt with her assistant. “You performed the post two days ago. You even said it came out pretty standard. You couldn’t find a sign of foul play, unless something shows up in the toxicology tests. There’s no reason why your report shouldn’t have been turned in by now.”
    His face was tight with belligerence. “Dr. Faber never minded if it was a little late. He understood that I do have other duties to perform around here.”
    For not the first time, Lauren wondered if the man was this sullen to everyone, or if she was the only lucky one to receive this treatment. “We’re all overworked here, Pete, and yet the others don’t seem to have any problem getting their paperwork in on time. I expect your report on my desk before you leave today.” She deliberately kept her voice soft but firm.
    “Lady, you are in big trouble!” Josh pushed past Pete as he barreled into Lauren’s office. “And I’m just the one to give it to you.”
    She didn’t bat an eye at the unexpected intrusion.
    “I’ll get to you in a moment, Counselor.” She turned back to her assistant, who was inching his way to freedom. “I mean it about the report, Pete. I want it in here by the end of the day.” She ignored his muttered imprecations and turned to Josh, who’d dropped into the chair in front of her desk and was glaring at her as if he wanted to cut out her heart. She smiled at him, looking as unperturbed as if he’d dropped by for a friendly chat. “Now, what can I help you with, Mr. Brandon?”
    Josh leaned forward and slapped the report on her desk. “This details the post you performed on Cal Streeter,” he reminded her.
    She nodded as she picked up the report and scanned it to refresh her memory. “Oh, yes, your alleged rapist. Actually, I’d have to say he was the real victim in this case.”
    He barked a laugh of disbelief. “Wait a minute. He raped his victim and then tried to kill her before she somehow got hold of his gun and shot him in self-defense. Now you’re playing cop and stating there’s no way it could have happened the way she said. That there was no rape, but you didn’t explain where you got this new information. Or did you happen to be hiding in the closet while all this was going on?”
    She ignored his sarcasm. “I stated my findings in the report.”
    “Then do me a favor and cut through the medical bullshit you scribbled in here and tell me why he couldn’t have raped