Girl Three Read Online Free

two years.”
    Croft checked Michael with a threatening glare. “I warned you not to get attached to Sam. There was even language in the contract.”
    Michael wasn’t surprised that Croft thought words could dictate emotions. “Sam has been my primary focus for a long time. Of course I was attached to her. She was like a younger sister to me.”
    Croft laughed caustically. “The two of you were simply acquaintances.”
    The same could be said for the two of you.
    “Read your contract,” Croft said. “Next time, I should reword the clause—physically and emotionally refrain from developing a relationship with my daughter.”
    Michael hadn’t had a relationship with Sam. As Croft had said, they were simply acquaintances—platonic at that. Michael had adhered to his contract, but he couldn’t help having felt protective toward Sam. She’d been his responsibility. At least, that was the way he’d seen it.
    “As you say in the courtroom,” Michael said, “that’s a moot point.”
    Croft shook his head. “Quite the contrary.”
    “Sam is dead. How I feel about her doesn’t matter anymore.”
    “True. And I recommend you get over it.” Croft stood and straightened to his arrogant stance. “By tomorrow.”
    Michael narrowed his eyes. “What?”
    “I’m offering you an extension of your job. Same protocol, similar contract, amended clause as discussed. With a change of name for your assignee.”
    Michael prided himself on intuition and watchfulness, but he hadn’t seen this one coming. “I don’t understand.”
    “My daughter Jessica is coming for Sam’s memorial,” Croft said. “Unless she’s further gone than I imagine.”
    Michael had read about Dr. Jessica Croft. Seen photos of her online. Caught snippets of her interviews on television news shows. He remembered the occasional text Sam had received from Jessie, as she had signed them, and an unanswered phone call now and then. But as closely as he’d monitored Sam’s life, he had never seen her sister in person—not that he wouldn’t like to. She came across as calm, intelligent, and unusually intriguing.
    “She’ll be in town for a while,” Croft said.
    Michael wondered why. She must have a life somewhere else. “You sure about that?”
    “Don’t doubt me,” Croft said. “And there’s another change in the contract. Instead of our usual arrangement, I’ll need you twenty-four seven for the next week or two.” Croft pulled an envelope from his jacket pocket.
    “What’s that?”
    “Enough to persuade you to sign the contract.” He tapped Michael’s chest with a corner of the envelope. “Keep me informed and mind your boundaries. No one, including Jessica, should know you’re on the job. Keep your distance from her. Pull this one off, and I’ll keep those security consulting jobs coming your way. You’ll always have opportunities in DC.”
    Wired with suspicion over Sam’s death, Michael questioned the wisdom of a repeat with Croft and another of his daughters. He needed a while to think. “I’ll get back to you.”
    Croft smirked. “There’s no time to wallow in emotion. Jessica will be here tomorrow.” He stepped closer to Michael, smelling like he hadn’t missed happy hour. “If you’re not man enough for the job, I’ll get an alternate on board tonight.”
    Something twisted in Michael’s gut. “Like the one who was supposed to be monitoring Sam while I was away?”
    One of Croft’s eyes twitched.
    Michael harnessed the impulse to get in Croft’s face and shout, “Why isn’t there an investigation?”
    Croft’s composure didn’t crack beyond that one twitch. He made a sweeping gesture as if he expected a sea somewhere to part. “And you’ll need to clear out of here.”
    Cornered, Michael calculated his risks. As a security consultant, he’d cultivated an impressive list of clients—mostly thanks to Croft. Michael’s connections had allowed him access to many of the events Sam attended, and he’d