Legal Heat

Chapter Seven


What am I missing?

Katy flipped through Martha’s file for the third time in an hour and then stared out the glass walls of her office. Why would Hi-Tech continue to defend the case in the face of the overwhelming evidence against it? She had interviewed two senior Hi-Tech employees and both had confirmed Martha’s exemplary performance. Neither of them had been aware of any policy about after-hours’ access. She suspected it didn’t exist. Despite her repeated requests, Mark had yet to produce the policy or any other relevant document.

Totally unacceptable.

Too bad she couldn’t see his face when he received her application requesting access to all Hi-Tech’s documents, and not just those relevant to the case. A blatant fishing expedition. She could hardly wait for the fireworks. The buzz of yesterday’s courtroom battle still hadn’t worn off. Nor had her embarrassment at her inappropriate behavior. But the minute he had touched her, rational thought had fled. She wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

She placed the document in the file and Martha’s note fell to the floor. She hadn’t followed up on the list of names since her dismal call with Martin. Had he really taken a risk by giving Martha the names and numbers? Was the lead worth pursuing? Even if she uncovered some hidden agenda at Hi-Tech, it wouldn’t help Martha’s case unless she could tie it directly to the dismissal.

Still, the call with Martin had roused her curiosity. Lives at risk. A mystery to unravel. She tapped her pen on her desk. She didn’t have to bill every second of the time she spent on the file. She could pursue the investigation on her own and if it came to nothing, Martha wouldn’t have to bear the cost.

Decision made, she lifted the phone and dialed the number for the first name on the list, Robert Cunningham. She introduced herself as a lawyer working against Hi-Tech, and explained the case to the woman on the phone who identified herself as his wife, Patricia.

“He’s very ill. He can’t come to the phone.” Patricia’s flat, monotone voice said more than a dozen tears.

Katy sucked in a breath. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. What’s wrong?”

“Cancer. It came on very suddenly. We were adjusting to his other injuries when we got this diagnosis.” Her voice dropped to a suspicious whisper. “What do you have against Hi-Tech?”

No harm in telling her. The case is on the public record. “We’re alleging Hi-Tech wrongfully dismissed my client from her position as a lab tech at the company. I’m investigating the reasons behind her dismissal. She gave me Robert’s name and said she thought he might be able to help.”

“How can Robert help?” Patricia’s voice tightened. “He was a night contractor. He wouldn’t have known any of the permanent employees.”

“Did he ever mention hearing or seeing anything unusual?”

Patricia’s icy silence told her she had hit a sensitive spot.

“I’m sorry.” Katy softened her voice. “I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

“I would like to help you but I’m not allowed to talk about it,” Patricia whispered. “Their lawyer had Robert sign something saying we couldn’t discuss what happened the night of the accident.”

Mark?

Something clicked in her brain. “Did you sign it too?”

“No, just Robert. Why?”

Katy struggled to keep the emotion out of her voice. “You aren’t bound by an agreement you didn’t sign. Robert may not be allowed to talk about it, but you are.”

Patricia’s breath hitched. “I am? Nothing will happen to me? They can’t take back the money?”

“Legally, no.”

Patricia let loose a ragged sob. “It would be such a relief to talk to someone. Robert doesn’t have long to live, and I’ve been so afraid.”

Katy’s heart pounded. She forced herself to remain calm and not let her excitement seep into her voice. “I’ll come to you, Patricia. Tell me when and where.”

“Could I take your number? We have so many hospital appointments. I need to figure out the best time.”

Katy gave her contact details and hung up the phone. Buoyed by her success, she dialed the second number, belonging to Peter Davidson. She didn’t get past her introduction. His wife, Julia, refused in no uncertain terms to speak to her and hung up without a goodbye.

Katy checked the clock. Too late for any more calls. She closed the file, packed her briefcase and tidied up her desk.

The Crazy Frog ring tone blared in the quiet of her office. Katy fished around in her purse and pulled out her phone as the irritating tune played again. She should never have let Justin near her cell.

“Hello?”

“Katy.”

She trembled and warmed at the sound of Mark’s deep-timbered voice.

“How did you get this number?” She spoke quietly for no reason other than the fact that he had called on her personal line.

“You gave it to James at the police station. I have an excellent memory.”

“And you’re exceedingly modest.” She walked across the room to close her office door. Even if he had called about business, she didn’t want to share him with anyone.

“I had an incentive,” he said. “If I didn’t remember your number, I would have had to ask James for it and that might be considered a privacy breach and worthy of sanction by the Law Society.”

Katy laughed. “I’m glad to know professional responsibility was foremost in your mind when you considered engaging your friend in the unethical disclosure of personal information.”

“I won’t offend your delicate sensibilities by telling you exactly what is foremost in my mind when it comes to you,” he murmured.

Katy choked back a gasp as need shot straight to her core. She closed her eyes and tried to bring her racing pulse under control. “So what can I do for you this evening?”

“Mmmmm.” His voice rumbled over the phone.

“Mark?”

“Shhh. I’m thinking about your question and I’ve come up with several suggestions.”

Katy snorted a laugh. “Behave.”

“Unfortunately, none of my suggestions involve me behaving. Or you, for that matter.”

“Then this is going to be a very short conversation.” If he wasn’t calling about business, she should hang up although it was the last thing she wanted to do. “I’m still waiting to hear why you called.”

“I’m still trying to remember,” he murmured. “Whenever I hear your voice, I get distracted.”

Her pulse pounded in her throat, beating in time to the throbbing in her core. “Excellent. I’ll make sure I do a lot of talking in court, and we’ll be able to pound out a settlement in no time.”

Mark chuckled. “I like it when you talk dirty, sugar.”

“Mark…please.” Her voice dropped from low to husky.

“If you’re going to speak to me like that, you’ll have to come to my office to find out why I called.” His velvet smooth voice sent warm tingles down her spine.

“Are you crazy? Why don’t we just march down to the Law Society, hand over our practicing certificates and let them know what’s going on?”

“What is going on? I’m interested to know.”

Katy picked up her pen and tapped it on the desk. “Absolutely nothing. And I have to go. It’s late.”

“Maybe we should discuss absolutely nothing on Wednesday night,” he said. “Steele and I are going to Seattle and I might have an answer on the settlement proposal you sent over this afternoon. If you’re interested, you can call my cell. You have my number now.”

Interested? An evening listening to his dark, sensual voice? Not really a decision, but a foregone conclusion. “Um. Okay.”

“Not very eloquent for a lawyer who just sent me a twenty-page document request and a stern letter reminding of my legal duty regarding disclosure.”

Katy blushed, glad he couldn’t see her face. “That’s different. One is business and the other is pleasure.” She whipped her hand over her mouth as soon as she realized her error.

“Is pleasure what you want from me, sugar?”

Her breath quickened. “Yes. No. Stop it. I’m in the office.”

“The office? It’s very late. You should be in bed.”

With you. “Look who’s talking. I asked around about you. Everyone says you’re a workaholic. Case in point, you’re in your office right now.”

“True,” he said. “But now I’m curious. What else did you hear about me?”

Katy leaned back in her chair and kicked off her shoes. Might as well make herself comfortable. “Well, apparently, you’re devastatingly handsome and—”

“Apparently?”

She imagined him raising an eyebrow and tried not to laugh. “I’m not feeding your overblown ego. I’ve also heard you’re an incorrigible bachelor who has never been seen with a woman for more than one night.” She sat forward, breathless, waiting for his response.

“True again.”

She froze. “Which part?”

“Which part is the least incriminating?”

Katy snorted. Typical lawyer, answering a question with another question. Either way, he was unavailable…and she wasn’t looking for a man.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It matters to me.”

She bit her lip as the weight of his words sank in. Too heavy. A little flirting she could handle, but nothing more. “I’ve got to go.”

“I’m not letting you run away yet.” His tone lightened. “What are you working on?”

Katy looked at the stacks of files on her desk. What wasn’t she working on? “You know I can’t tell you.”

“You can be generic. I enjoy listening to the sound of your voice.”

Her lips curled into a wicked smile. “I’ve got this big case that could make or break my career, and defense counsel is being a real jerk about document disclosure, so I’m going to drag his sorry ass into court and make him explain himself.”

His laughter surprised her, especially since she had just insulted him. “I’m sure he would be delighted with anything you might do to his sorry ass, as you so eloquently put it. When are you going to serve your application on this hypothetical defense counsel, just out of curiosity?”

“Tomorrow. I’ve just finished it.”

“Now.” His voice dropped and his low growl reverberated in her belly. God, he could probably make her come without even laying a finger on her.

“What?”

“He’s at his office. You could serve him personally. Save on postage.”

Sweat trickled down her back as his words translated into raw heat. “I can’t. I have…other responsibilities.” A babysitter who had to get home. Children. She didn’t want him to know about her kids. Not yet.

“What are you afraid of, sugar?”

Not what but who. I’m afraid of me.





Tap, tap, tap.

Mark pulled the microphone out of its stand and walked to the front of the stage in the Fairmont Hotel’s palatial meeting room. “Thank you for joining us for our seminar, Pharmaceutical Regulation in North America. Our guest speaker tonight is Darkon Steele, CEO of Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals.” He rattled off Steele’s impressive bio and then took a seat near the back of the stage.

Richards & Moretti’s annual pharmaceutical industry lecture always attracted an equal number of lawyers and pharma execs, easily distinguishable by their choice of attire. The pharma crowd favored chinos and button-down shirts, and the lawyers, who had come for the client development opportunity, were all wearing dark suits.

All but one.

Mark sucked in a breath when he saw Katy standing in the doorway, wearing a sinfully tight gray suit and black stilettos. With her long hair fanned out over her shoulders and her pink lips plump and glistening, she was almost too alluring to be real. Every muscle in his body tightened with desire.

She caught his gaze but didn’t smile. Instead, she folded her arms under her full breasts, pushing them up and out as if for his appraisal as one trim ankle crossed over the other.

Effortlessly sexy.

Achingly beautiful.

For a moment he indulged in his favorite fantasy: trapping Katy in a courtroom, stripping off her clothing, restraining her with his tie and taking her hard on the judge’s desk. His cock stiffened and pressed painfully against his fly.

Damn.

With a shake of his head, he snapped his attention back to the lecture. He wouldn’t be able to answer questions if he didn’t even know what Steele had said. Worse, he would have to stand up.

“It can take ten to fifteen years to research and develop a drug before it gets to market,” Steele explained to the audience. “Usually only one potential drug out of one thousand will make it past the developmental stage, and it can take eight to ten years of further research before it receives approval from regulatory agencies for public sale. However, a successful drug can be worth billions of dollars and the time investment will pay off in the long run.” Steele paused to change his slide and then launched into an explanation of the testing procedures.

Mark glanced up at the doorway and frowned. Where was she? Had she come to see him or listen to Steele? He relaxed slightly when she returned and tensed when she left the doorway again.

After a painful hour of watching Katy appear and reappear, Mark joined Steele at the front of the stage. He hadn’t expected such a large turnout, but the legal complexities of pharmaceutical regulation apparently held wide appeal. Or maybe their guests had come for the open bar. He kept one eye on the doorway during the panel discussion and the subsequent Q&A session, waiting for her to reappear.

Aha. Back again. But not smiling. He desperately wanted to get away, but the questions kept coming. A victim of his own success. After half an hour of torture, he wrapped up the Q&A and invited the crowd to join them at the bar. He headed for the door, only to be accosted by Phillip Keegan, just a few feet short of his goal.

“Nice to see you again. Interesting lecture.”

“Keegan. What are you doing here? I can’t imagine pharma regulation will make a good crime story.” He had known Keegan in first year law school. After a brief stint reporting for the law school newspaper, Keegan realized he had found his true calling. He had dropped out and never looked back.

“I never know where I’ll find a story. Plus, I like to learn new things. Makes me a better reporter.”

“You never liked to learn. I don’t think I ever saw you in class.” Mark tried to focus on the conversation, but his gaze drifted to the doorway.

Keegan affected a desolate expression. “What is it with law types and reporters? We’re on the same side, fighting for justice. We should all be friends.”

Damn. Where was she? “You don’t care about justice. You care about the story.”

“And you care about the money.”

Mark laughed. “I’ll never tell you what I care about.”

“The girl in the doorway.”

Mark froze. “What?”

“Reporter trick. It’s called being observant. You didn’t take your eyes off her during the entire lecture. And now, even while you’re talking to me, you’re looking for her. You’re wondering how long I’ll keep you here and how you can politely escape before she disappears again.”

So true.

Mark folded his arms and gave Keegan his full, undivided attention. “How did you get in here? The seminar is by invitation only. I didn’t put your name on the list.”

Keegan winked. “Probably the same way she did. I walked. Although I’m sure I didn’t look quite as hot. Damn, that girl can wiggle.”

Mark growled at the spark of interest in Keegan’s eyes.

“Down, boy.” Keegan laughed. “I’d better let you go before you drool all over my new shoes. I have some questions for Mr. Steele and I want to look my best.” He glanced behind him at the doorway and raised an eyebrow. “Oops. I must have delayed you too long. The mysterious lady has disappeared again.”





Katy paced up and down the hallway outside the Fairmont’s conference room. Where could he be? The lecture had finished twenty minutes ago. The wait had done nothing to cool her temper. Poor Martha had called, wanting to drop the case. Someone had threatened her. Katy damn well knew who it was. Good thing Steven had the kids on Tuesday nights. Blood boiling after the call, she had wanted to confront Mark right away, and his secretary had sent her here. She hadn’t expected to see Steele at the lecture, but she wasn’t complaining. After she gave Mark a piece of her mind, Steele would be next.

She chanced another glance at the doorway and almost wished she hadn’t. Dressed in yet another beautifully tailored suit, Mark watched her, the faintest smile softening the planes of his face. Katy experienced a flare of annoyance as her heart slammed against her ribs, her body yet again defying the rational side of her brain. She folded her arms and glared.

His eyes narrowed as he got the message. Shame. She loved the way they crinkled when he smiled.

“I was hoping this was a social call.” He crossed the hallway, his muscular legs eating up the distance between them in a heartbeat.

“Business,” she snapped. “Your client threatened my client. I want you to deal with him or we’ll involve the police.” She realized almost immediately she had been too abrupt when his mouth tightened.

“As always, no hello.”

“This is serious, Mark. She’s terrified.” She wanted to stop herself. Wind the clock back. Say hello. But she had jumped on this rollercoaster ride and she couldn’t get off.

Mark knitted his brows. “Who exactly threatened whom?”

Who exactly? Martha didn’t know. She had assumed the caller was from Hi-Tech, although she couldn’t say with certainty it was Steele.

“Someone called my client and told her to drop the case. He also told her to rein me in and stop meddling in things she didn’t understand.” She lowered her voice as uncertainty crept through her. What if Martha had lied?

Mark steered her away from the main hallway, his hand pressed firmly on her back. “What was the threat?”

Katy looked over at him and frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Have you been threatened before?”

Katy nodded. “Sure. Lots of times. Usually irate husbands who blame me when their wives ask for their fair share in a divorce.”

They stopped at a secluded seating area and Mark motioned for her to sit, but Katy shook her head. She needed to move. Being near Mark only heightened her agitation, and she needed some way to release the energy.

“So you know there is always an if and a then. For example, if you don’t smile, then I will throw you over my knee and spank you.”

Katy froze when a sliver of need, unexpected and unwanted, shot straight to her core. Dammit. He had to know what his words did to her. Heat bloomed in her cheeks, and she looked down at the plush, patterned carpet.

He continued in the same calm, cool tone. “So what did the caller say would happen to Martha if she didn’t drop the case?”

With a shuddering exhalation, she forced herself to focus. “He didn’t say anything else. The threat was implied.”

Mark shook his head and his sable hair gleamed in the soft lighting overhead. “You know as well as I do his statement would not likely meet the legal test for a threat. Maybe someone was just worried about her.”

“Well then, he had a funny way of showing it.” They stood not more than a foot apart. Her hands itched to touch him—to run up the broad expanse of his chest and around his neck. She wanted to pull him close and inhale the scent of soap and sandalwood, of him. God, even after their heated exchange in the courtroom the other day, she wanted to kiss him. She licked her lips, imagining his taste.

“What are you thinking, Katy Sinclair?” His voice dropped to a low growl. “If you keep looking at me like that, I might have to make good my threat.”

Her heart pounded against her ribcage. Afraid she would betray herself, she pressed her lips together and looked away.

“If we were alone…” he whispered.

“What do we have here? If I didn’t know you better, Mark, I’d be worried you were fraternizing with opposing counsel.” Steele’s voice echoed down the hallway, attracting the attention of the last of the seminar attendees making their way to the bar.

Damn. Mark ripped his gaze away from Katy and spun around as Steele approached the lounge area, his eyes rife with speculation.

“Ms. Sinclair came to see me tonight because someone threatened her client, Ms. Saunders.” Mark didn’t want to put her on the spot, but he needed a moment to collect himself. Far too perceptive, Steele would pick up on even the slightest glance. He needed to stay sharp.

Katy narrowed her eyes and stared at Steele. “I assume it was you.”

Steele laughed. “I wish I had the time to call every one of the hundreds of litigants our company deals with on a daily basis and threaten them. It would save us time and money. But unfortunately, I have a company to run and calling up former employees does not rank high on my list of priorities.”

“I’m not buying it,” she persisted. “No one else benefits from her dropping the case but Hi-Tech. You might not have handled it yourself, but I’m sure you’re involved.”

Steele’s eyes glittered. “Sheathe your claws, kitty, or I’ll do it for you.” He reached out and stroked a long, thick finger along Katy’s cheek. “Or is that why you are provoking me? Are you begging to be tamed?”

Adrenaline swept through Mark’s body, snapping the threads of his control one by one. His hand shot out, but before he could grab Steele’s arm, Katy slapped Steele’s errant finger away.

“You’ve crossed the line, Steele. Even if my client decides to drop the case, I’m going to pursue you. You’ve shown your hand by threatening her. Now I know there is something behind her dismissal and I won’t stop until I find out what it is.” The ice in her tone froze the air around them.

Steele’s eyes hardened. “Don’t threaten me, little kitty. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”

Moments passed. Steele and Katy locked gazes, the tension thick between them. Mark’s body thrummed with pent up anger. If Steele touched her again…

“Hey, guys, why so serious?” Keegan’s voice broke the spell, and Mark turned in relief when the reporter approached them, a beer in one hand and a giggling waitress in the other.

“Are the legal intricacies of pharma regulation really that intense?” He cocked an eyebrow and flicked his gaze to Mark with an unspoken query.

Recovering first, Katy held out her hand. “We haven’t met. I’m Katherine Sinclair, a lawyer with Knight and Frank.”

Keegan winked at Mark. “I see you found her.”

He raised Katy’s hand to his lips in a mock Victorian gesture. “Phillip Keegan. Always a pleasure to meet a beautiful lady.”

Mark and Steele scowled, united for a moment in their disapproval of the smooth reporter’s intrusion on their territory.

“Hey, what about me?” The waitress tugged on Keegan’s arm.

He kissed her on the cheek. “You know you’re beautiful, darling. How about you run off to the bar and get us a round of drinks? I’ve been trying to corner Mr. Steele all evening. I have a sudden interest in drug development and I don’t want him to disappear again.”

Katy pulled her hand away. “I have to go. Nice to meet you, Mr. Keegan. Mr. Steele, I look forward to seeing you in court.”

Mark gave Keegan and Steele a farewell nod before following Katy down the hallway. “It’s late. I’ll walk you to your car.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m fine. I parked at the office so it’s a bit of a hike.”

They rounded the corner and out of view of the seminar attendees.

Mark put a hand on her waist and steered her toward the door. “I’m not asking, sugar.”





Lana snapped a picture of the subject walking down Burrard Street beside a tall man in a tailored suit. She logged the time in her notebook, eight twenty-seven p.m. She wished she had someone to call. Someone who could share the excitement of her very first case.

She followed close behind the couple, but dodging the crowds meant she couldn’t overhear their conversation. A group of rowdy sports fans approached them and the man deftly switched sides, putting himself between the group and the woman. How gallant. Lana didn’t know any men who would do something like that. In fact, she didn’t know many men. Period. She had only just moved to Vancouver to take the private investigator course and hadn’t had time to make friends. Maybe someday.

The subject leaned toward the mystery man, an almost imperceptible movement, but as a highly trained professional, Lana knew to look for subtle gestures. How sweet. She paused to snap a few pictures and then raced after them.

When they reached Nelson Street, they turned and stopped in the shadow of a tall office building. Lana checked her notebook. The subject worked in the building at Knight & Frank. Twelfth floor. She found a secure position and pulled out her camera to take a few pictures of them staring at each other.

The man stroked a finger along the subject’s jaw, and Lana sighed at the tender gesture. Her first assignment and already she loved her job. If she could live vicariously through other people’s relationships, she wouldn’t long so much for her own.

They exchanged a few words and the subject entered the building and disappeared from view. Hopefully she would go home, and Lana could finish off her report.

She turned to leave and realized the mystery man hadn’t moved. She snapped a few pictures of him, lost in thought, before he finally turned and walked down the street.

Was he a friend? A colleague? A lover? As a PI she had to avoid making assumptions and consider all possibilities. Still, she liked the look of him. Brooding, intense, confident. But a little too clean cut for her taste. She liked her men rough…with an aura of danger. Kinda like the cop who had chased her and then called her up to chastise her over the phone.

Her lips curled in a smile. Damn sexy voice. All rough and gravelly. Turned out he wasn’t immune to her charms. By the end of the call, she’d pulled a chuckle out of him. And he’d pulled one out of her.

She wandered back to the hotel, mentally planning her report. Hopefully, her new employer, Mr. S, would be impressed with her efficiency and give her a bonus. Then she could fix the Jetta. Maybe buy some food and new clothes. An investigator had to blend in with her surroundings, although no one had blinked an eye when she’d wandered around the fancy hotel this evening in her yoga pants and T-shirt. She had some great pictures of the subject with the mystery man, although not once had she been able to capture his face.

She finally reached the Jetta and jumped inside, giving it a pat of encouragement when it wheezed to life. If Mr. S didn’t pay bi-weekly as agreed, she would have a hard time seeing the case through. Her poor Jetta needed a major overhaul.

She pulled out onto the road and headed for home. She had been ecstatic when Mr. S had agreed to pay in cash. Cash meant no tax. No tax meant more cash. In return she had agreed to his terms of strict anonymity. He had sent her a postal box key and a box number. She had to deposit her reports and photos on Mondays and Thursdays, and he had agreed to leave the cash after pickup. No real name. No contact details except a cell number. The warning bells had gone off right away, but she wasn’t about to turn away a paying client. She had a Jetta needing brakes and a belly needing donuts. Mr. S was her ticket to paradise.