As an only child, she’d never had that same kind of relationship with anyone. The kind built on a foundation of complete trust and unconditional love. She had Drew for a short while in college. Maybe they could have had that kind of connection. But that seemed a lifetime ago.
She lowered onto one knee and unbuckled Hazel from the stroller seat. She wanted more for Hazel. Wanted her daughter to have a sibling if possible and a bond that no one could take from her. Molly coughed, dislodging her sudden disbelief. She could not be considering more children. She didn’t even have full custody of Hazel yet. Or a potential future father in mind.
Her gaze tracked to Drew as if he were the sign she’d been looking for. But Molly never relied on fate or luck or signs. She wouldn’t allow her heart to offer a plea bargain now.
With Hazel propped on her hip, Molly rose and paced around Brad’s office, locking down her errant thoughts and restoring her focus.
“Last night, Molly received a package we think came from Gina Hahn.” Confidence filled Drew from his easy smile to optimistic tone. “We have actual proof now.”
Molly leaped to insert the reality of the situation before Brad jumped on Drew’s hope train. “Evidence that is not admissible without a sworn testament from the witness. Nothing is a given yet. We still have a lot of work to do.”
Work. Molly had to concentrate on work too. Then she would shake the idea of Drew as her partner for life.
Drew rubbed his hands together and hovered over his brother’s shoulder. “Even better would be Reuben attending my hearing.”
“Let’s locate Mr. Cote first.” Brad kept his attention on his computer screen.
“Gina left us more than we could ever imagine.” Drew shook his head from side to side as if still stunned Gina had dropped the flash drive on Brooke and Dan’s front porch.
“I have more information on Gina Hahn.” Brad tapped a purple folder on his desk.
“Keep it.” Drew stepped around Brad’s desk and scooped a squirming and slightly cranky Hazel out of Molly’s arms. He flipped Hazel upside down and transformed her into giggling and content in an instant. “We don’t need anything more from Gina.”
Molly eyed Drew and Hazel. If only she could have a quick moment in Drew’s arms to leave her so content. She squeezed her forehead. Drew’s embrace was not part of their attorney–client agreement.
Brad glanced away from his computer screen and shifted his focus from Drew to Molly. “Gina Hahn sounds like a key witness too. Not that I’m a lawyer.”
“She gave us the evidence that’s gotten us here. There’s no reason to keep Gina involved.” Drew tipped Hazel upside down again and considered Molly. “You agree, don’t you?”
“It’s worth taking the folder Brad put together on Gina.” Molly moved toward the desk and the purple folder and away from the distraction that was Drew.
Drew lifted Hazel against his chest and stepped closer to Molly. “Gina asked us not to involve her further.”
“We never promised to stay away from her completely.” Molly reached for the folder on Brad’s desk. “We may need her. You know that.”
“We have Reuben Cote.” Drew set his hand on her arm, keeping her from picking up the folder. “Gina has moved on. She has a daughter to protect. Her family has a viable business in this city. I don’t want to put her or that at risk.”
“Even if it means proving your innocence?” Molly set her hands on her hips. “Are you willing to give up your life, your career, to protect Gina’s?”
“It’s not relevant,” Drew argued. “We have Reuben.”
“You’re too close to this,” Molly countered. “You’re not thinking clearly.”
“For the first time in months, I am thinking very clearly.” Drew held his hand up for a Hazel high five. His serious gaze returned to Molly. “I ruined one man’s life. I won’t do that to Gina too.”
Molly straightened. “I won’t ruin Gina’s life either.”
“That’s right.” Drew nodded. Hazel patted his cheek, tugged on his ear and his hair, but his focus never trailed from Molly. “Because you’re going to promise me you won’t involve Gina any further. You’ll leave Brad’s file folder alone, as well as Gina.”
Molly crossed her arms over her chest. He hired her to be his counsel. He had to allow her to do her job. Her way, not his. “You have to trust me.”
“Just promise me, Molly.” He tickled Hazel to get the little girl to release her grip on his hair. “Please.”
Please, trust me. Molly tucked the burp cloth over Drew’s shoulder to protect his shirt from Hazel’s drool. If only it was so easy to protect her heart from him. “Fine.”
Drew smiled and looked at his brother. “How much longer?”
“The Cotes cancel phone lines faster than teenagers text.” Brad tapped on his keyboard. “And they relocate even more often.”
Drew strolled to the door. “I’m going to show off Hazel to the team. They keep walking by and peering inside to see her.”
Molly waited for Hazel’s laughter to fade in the hallway and stepped up to Brad’s desk. “I’d like you to put a twenty-four-hour surveillance on Gina Hahn.”
Brad paused and shifted in his chair to face her. “Why?”
“I believe the former administrative assistant is a flight risk.” Molly slanted her gaze to the open doorway. She hated to defy Drew. Or break her word. But she had a client to look out for. A job to do. After all, Drew had hired her.
“But you have the information you need from Gina,” Brad said.
“I also have a strange feeling in my gut.” Not that she only ever relied
