One Summer’s Knight

“Math. Hal is-or was, when he could keep a job-an accountant…a bookkeeper. And while he’s no hacker, he’s very good with computers. When he was out of work and at home, that’s what he did with his time-play with the computer. In fact, that’s how he did most of his gambling-you know, on the Internet. I think that’s how he did it. I think he must have somehow managed to tap into the syndicate’s financial records, or something like that. That’s why the FBI wants him so badly.”

Riley sat back, exhaling through his nose. “Shades of Al Capone.”

Her eyes turned silvery. “Oh, yeah. This Agent Redfield was practically drooling. He wants whatever it is Hal’s got so badly he can taste it, and that’s what scares me. I get the feeling this is some sort of crusade with him, bringing down this syndicate. You know-like Captain Ahab and Moby Dick. I think he wants to get them so badly and he’s so focused on it, that he might not care who he has to hurt in the process. And that-” she let out a breath “-is why I think I need a good lawyer.” She paused, her gaze holding Riley’s as she added evenly, “I’ve been held accountable for my ex-husband’s actions before. I don’t intend for it to happen again.”

Chapter 3

“The thing is, I can’t afford to pay you.” She said that in a raspy, embarrassed voice, sitting on the edge of her chair and staring at him, almost, it seemed to Riley, in defiance.

She reminded him of a wild rabbit he’d once caught in a snare he’d set in the woods. He could still remember the way it had felt in his hands, trembling but not struggling, resigned to the inevitable but wanting so desperately to be somewhere-anywhere-other than where she was. He’d let the rabbit go that day, knowing it meant he’d go hungry to bed again.

She swallowed and went on; he thought it seemed easier for her now that she’d gotten the worst out. “I don’t have any money and my credit is shot. I can’t go to my family for help…”

Of course not, thought Riley. Pride. Way too much pride.

“I already owe them so much for that hospital bill. I do have a lawyer, sort of-she’s a family friend and her husband’s a private investigator, too-but they have…things going on in their own lives right now. Personal stuff.” She shifted in her chair. Her fingers curled over the top of her handbag; her knuckles whitened. “I just can’t burden them with my problems-I won’t. But-” she took a breath “-I’m not asking for charity.”

Of course not, Riley thought, regarding her with half-closed eyes, his face once more cradled on his hand, index finger pointing at the corner of his eyes, little finger across his lower lip. God forbid, Summer Robey, that you should ask anybody for anything.

“I mean, if you will take me on as your client, I will pay for your services-I just can’t pay you with money. What I thought was…I’d offer something in exchange-you know, like the barter system? They used to do that back in the old days-like, a farmer would pay with a pig, a miller with a sack of flour…”

Riley was hard-pressed not to smile. His chest tingled with a strange anticipation as he murmured, “Well…now that’s an interesting idea. What in particular did you have in mind?”

Her cheeks were bright with embarrassment, but he’d expected that. What touched him more was the determined light in her eyes, a little glow of courage that was like a candle held high in a dark and lonely woods.

“Obviously, I don’t have anything to give you, except for myself. Oh, Lord.” She abruptly closed her eyes. “I didn’t mean that like it sounded. Please don’t think-”

“Mrs. Robey, I never did for a moment, “ Riley said kindly. He was grateful for the excuse to smile.

“What I meant was, I thought I could offer my services…” She stopped again, put a hand over her eyes and muttered, “Oh, God, that wasn’t much better, was it?” Riley was openly, if silently, laughing. She uncovered her eyes and glared at him “What I mean is, I could work for you.”

“Uh-huh.” It took a gallant effort, but he managed to straighten his face. “Well, now, that sounds interesting. Doin’ what, exactly?”

She looked desperately around her. “Well, like I could do your filing for you, you know, answer the phone…”

“I have both a part-time law clerk and a full-time secretary slash-receptionist to take care of that for me,” Riley said gently. The truth was, Danell, his secretary, did have a vacation coming up. He’d been putting off calling the temp agency; he dreaded it so. But something in him-the devil, most likely-was entertained by the situation, and he couldn’t bring himself to let Summer Robey off the hook. Not that easily.

Her brows had drawn together as she racked her brain for another offering “Well, I am a veterinarian. How about-”

“Sorry. No animals. Pets or otherwise.”

“Ah-hah.” She drew a shallow breath and he could see her relax, as though she’d already accepted defeat and was just spinning her wheels. “I could clean your house…mow your lawn…”

“I have a cleaning service. And a gardener.”

“Wax your car, carry your golf clubs…”

Riley stood, rounded the corner of his desk and put a firm hand under her elbow. The look of dismay on her face as he raised her to her feet was like a high-powered lamp; he didn’t have to see it to know it was there.

“I’m sure we’ll think of something you can do for me, Mrs. Robey,” he drawled. The muscles in her arm jerked beneath his fingers. As it had with that bunny rabbit all those years ago, pity overcame him and he let her go. “And I mean something even your dear old gray-haired mama would approve of.”

She surprised him with a breathless laugh. “I don’t know if that’s all that reassuring.” She was clutching her pocketbook in front of her like a weapon, as if a street mugger had her by the elbow. “Last I heard, my mother had dyed her hair marigold and was into massage therapy.”

Now, there was a thought. Riley allowed himself to dwell on it just a little bit while he eased her toward the door. But not for long, he did have a client waiting He reached past her for the doorknob “Now, first thing we’re gonna want you-”

She spun around suddenly, putting her back up against the door so he couldn’t open it, and at the same time trapping herself there between it and him. Her eyes, on a level with his chin, were silver as summer rain. “Does this mean…?”

Riley nodded, enjoying himself a lot more than he should have. “Well, sure. You’ve got yourself a lawyer.” He smiled down at her, a big wide one that showed his teeth. “A good lawyer.”

“Oh, thank you.” The words were a whisper, borne on a breath.

And he suddenly felt the need of one himself, his brain, for some reason, having become oxygen-deprived. He gulped for air before he said, “Mrs. Robey-”

“Please-it’s Summer.”

Summer? And he thought, Oh yeah, it is Hazy, hot and humid, and charged with electricity.

He got the door open and ushered her into the cool of the hallway. “Summer, what I’m gonna want from you is all the information you can come up with on your ex-husband-social security number, driver’s license number, credit cards, any aliases he’s used in the past, friends, relatives, habits and haunts-okay? I’m gonna want to get my investigator goin’ on this as soon as possible. And I’m gonna see if I can get the police to put some surveillance on your house and your phone, if that’s okay with you.” While he waited for her nod, he slipped around her and got to the waiting room door first. He opened and held it for her but kept her there with a touch on her elbow as he said in a low, private voice, “In the meantime, next time you hear from the FBI, I want you to give me a call, okay? And don’t say a word until I get there. Not one word.”

“I won’t,” she whispered. “Mr. Grogan…thank you Thank you so much.”

He nodded and watched her walk across the waiting room and out of his office Then he hauled in a discreet breath of oxygen-rich, lemon-furniture-polish-scented air and smiled encouragingly at the client who was pacing a path in the Persian rug. Muttering, “Be right with you,” he closed the door, then ducked into his secretary’s office.