“They feel that the evidence is strong and only going to get stronger,” he said.
“Did you talk to her? Did you tell her that you know Cassie couldn’t possibly have done this?”
“No, because I don’t know that,” Joe said.
Mel stepped away from him, looking outraged. “But you’ve met her several times. You’ve always liked Cassie.”
“Yes, but that’s before she was named as the prime suspect in an investigation for which my office is responsible. I can’t just wave them away from the case because my fiancée is friends with the main person of interest.”
“What did Steve have to say about this?” Mel asked.
“I have no idea,” Joe said. “Because of my relationship with you and your relationship with Cassie, I’m recused, as it could be considered a conflict of interest.”
Mel studied his face. He didn’t say it but it was there in the firm set to his lips. He was disappointed to have been removed from one of the biggest cases to hit his office in months.
“I’m sorry,” Mel said. “I never want you to have to choose between me or your career.”
It was then that he hit her with his patent-worthy Joe DeLaura smile. With a dimple as an accent mark, his lips swooped up, showing off a slash of white teeth and making Mel’s insides flutter. He’d been doing that to her since the very first day she set eyes upon him.
He cupped her face with one hand and lowered his mouth to hers in a swift, sweet kiss. “Cupcake, there was no choice. It’s you, always you.”
And just like that Mel was a big dopey pile of mush. She kissed him back and hugged him hard. She was going to marry this man.
“Now I’m going to ask you something that will likely make you mad, but I’m going to ask anyway,” Joe said.
Mel stepped away from him so she could look him right in the eye. “Go ahead.”
“Please stay away from this case,” he said. “I know Cassie is your friend, but whoever killed Elise is likely the same person who killed three other people. That’s big-time homicide—as in crazy, out of control, nut job—and I want you away from it.”
“Is that your professional description of the murderer?” she asked.
“The county prosecutor is not fooling around,” Joe said. “She wants whoever is responsible locked up, and if the state can prove it was one person, she’s going to ask for the death penalty. You cannot get involved in this, Mel.”
Mel narrowed her eyes. “Are you forbidding me?”
“Which part of my body should I cover if I say ‘yes’?” he asked.
“The most vulnerable,” she said.
Joe sighed. “You know I won’t tell you what to do, but I’m asking you as your fiancé and the man who wants to spend his life with you, please stop investigating the case against Cassie. She has Steve in her corner and even though I hate to admit it, he’s a hell of a defense attorney.”
Mel stared at him. Refusing him anything went against her nature, but she also didn’t want to lie to him.
“Joe, I just don’t know if I can turn away from someone who needs me,” she said. “I can promise you I won’t go looking for trouble, but if I find out something of interest, I’m going to follow up on it.”
Joe frowned. It was clearly not the answer he’d been hoping for. Mel laced her fingers with his and swung his arms like they were kids on a playground.
“I promise I’ll be very careful and not do anything dumb,” she said.
He shook his head and she knew he was formulating his argument. This was the down side to being with an attorney—they were very good at arguing their case and they really liked having the last word.
“Hey, Joe, tell Paulie he’s not allowed to wear white socks tomorrow,” Tony yelled across the room. “I mean, come on, he’s supposed to be representing the DeLauras.”
Joe leaned close to Mel and whispered, “This conversation isn’t over.”
“Joe!” Paulie called. “Tell Tony I can wear whatever I want.”
“You’d better go before they start communicating with their fists,” Mel said.
“All right, we’ll talk later. I don’t know what the big deal is with white socks. Personally, I’m just relieved he’s not wearing his Iron Man ones.”
“Go. Before it gets ugly,” she said.
“Fine.” Joe kissed her forehead and gave her hand a quick squeeze.
Mel could feel that he wasn’t happy leaving the conversation here. Like Stan, she could have told Joe what he wanted to hear, but she didn’t want to lie to either of them and deep down she knew they both preferred the truth even if it gave Uncle Stan heartburn and caused Joe to worry.
Joe walked over to where his six brothers stood bickering. The middle of the seven, Joe had played the role of mediator for as long as Mel had known the DeLaura family. She studied the ridiculously handsome group of men in order of birth; Dom, Sal, Ray, Joe, Paulie, Tony, and Al. Dom, the oldest, was starting to go gray, his daughters were almost grown, and they were lovely as Angie’s bridesmaids. Most of the other brothers were following his lead—married, or about to be, with kids in the mix—while just Ray, Tony, and Al were unattached.
They were a loud family. Everyone was always in everyone else’s business. There were no secrets in the DeLaura house. It was one of the things she loved best about her future in-laws.
Mr. and Mrs. DeLaura watched their boys with obvious pride and then turned to accept the Harpers into the fold. Little did Tate’s parents know that when Tate married Angie, the DeLauras would then consider the Harpers family as well. That’s how the DeLauras worked. The family was inclusive and ever expanding. There would be no split holidays between the DeLauras and the Harpers. Oh no, they would be shared, whether the uptight Mr. Harper liked it or not. Mel suspected not.
What an incredible gift it
