Hot Pursuit Read Online Free Page A

screen and she read the number.
    Pick up the phone. Say one word. Say yes and they’ll start searching, trying to open the records and find your mother.
    Your other mother.
    But Taylor couldn’t move. Tears came as the phone went on ringing, each peal a new assault bringing a fresh stab of indecision.
    If she didn’t say yes, she’d never know the truth of who she was. She was entitled to a background history at least, with a reasonable assessment of genetic risks and medical concerns. If she didn’t fight for answers, the holes in her past would grow larger every year, until the anger and uncertainty overwhelmed her.
    But she couldn’t move, tears hot and slick on her face, knees shaking, heartsick.
    The phone finally stopped ringing and the silence settled around her. She thought about a baby crying in the night and she thought about the mother she’d never known, and then she slid slowly back against the counter, her wet face pressed against her hands while harsh, racking sobs consumed her.
    It was Candace’s call that roused her nearly an hour later. After a cautious glance at the number, Taylor answered with a voice that wasn’t quite steady.
    â€œTaylor, what’s wrong?”
    â€œIt’s—it’s my leg, Candace. The stitches. You know.”
    â€œTell me about it.” Candace gave a shaky laugh. “I’ve thrown up twice today, and I
never
throw up.” She took a sharp breath. “But you’re okay, right?”
    Taylor forced her thoughts away from the envelope on her desk. “I’m fine. We walked away and that’s what counts.” She hesitated. “Are you certain you gave me all the climbing gear we used?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Not that I’d ever touch those things again. The rope really took a beating. But why—” Candace hesitated. “God. You really
do
believe that Harris arranged this, don’t you?”
    â€œLet’s just say I want some answers.”
    â€œBut it
had
to be an accident, Taylor. I checked every inch of that rope myself, along with the bolts and carabiners. Everything was in tip-top shape this morning.”
    â€œI’m sure it was.” Taylor was determined to have the gear examined by an outside expert. If Harris had tampered with anything, Taylor was going after him big-time. But until then, she was telling Candace nothing about her plan. “So what have you heard from Lover Boy?”
    â€œHe called a few minutes ago. He asked how things were going and if we’d had a good climb.”
    â€œWhat did you say?”
    â€œEverything’s peachy. That’s what I should have said, isn’t it? Not tell him the truth?”
    Taylor rubbed her forehead, where a slow throb was building to a major headache. “Don’t tell him anything. Next time he calls, just hang up.” Taylor still couldn’t figure out why Harris would try to get rid of Candace. Was he tired of her, angry with her, or was he afraid that she knew too much about some kind of trouble he was involved in? “I still think we should call the police.”
    Candace made a low sound of protest. “Not until I know what’s wrong. All of this could be a mistake.”
    â€œHave you seen the silver Lexus again?”
    â€œI haven’t gone out since I got home, but I’ll get the license number if it shows up. Meanwhile, I just wanted to say how sorry I am. Your first outdoor climb should have been fun and exciting. Instead it was . . .”
    A certified nightmare,
Taylor thought grimly.
    But she kept her voice level. “Forget it, Candace. We’ll deal with Harris if he was involved. I should be thanking you. With all these aches and bruises, I have no energy left for anything but writing, which is what I should be doing anyway.”
    â€œThat makes me feel better. And good luck with the new book. It’s a sequel, right? With a heroine who is a novice