He’d earned a small laugh for that remark, but as the cab had pulled away, he’d felt uneasy. He’d gone so far as to consider calling her father, but he’d reined himself in. If Maggie Galway wanted to tell her father what was bothering her, she could do it herself. She didn’t need Luke meddling in her business. Neither did her father.
Good way to get them both irritated at him.
Sometimes the best course of action was to mind his own damn business.
“So why are you in Saratoga Springs?” he muttered to himself as he entered the lecture hall.
He knew the answer. Because on top of that encounter with Maggie, he’d discovered Ellen was heading up here at the last minute, and not just to give her sister moral support for an academic talk on Jane Austen.
Ellen had found him at work late yesterday, easing up to his desk while he was typing a routine report. She’d asked him what Maggie had wanted with him. By then, Maggie was in Saratoga. At first, Luke had assumed Ellen was concerned her sister had come to see him about their relationship. Then he’d realized she was deeply worried about Maggie. The twin radar, the Galway radar, the prosecutor radar. They all were going nuts, beeping alarms.
Are you sure what’s bugging Maggie isn’t a law enforcement matter?
Luke had shrugged. That’s what she said.
Ellen had shoved a hand through her hair, pacing. Never mind. Sorry to bother you.
I can get out of here and we can go have a drink somewhere.
No. Thanks. Sorry. I have to go.
That was when Luke had decided to find Sam Temple. Now the father of two small boys, Sam was a dedicated law enforcement officer and a devoted father and husband. He’d fought a few demons, but he was one of the strongest men Luke knew. Luke had laid out his two recent encounters with Maggie Galway.
Sam had looked straight through him. What are you doing, Luke?
What do you mean?
Damn. Are you sleeping with Maggie?
No! Luke hadn’t meant to react with such force, but he couldn’t help himself. Maggie? He’d quickly settled himself down. Wow. Hell. No, I am not sleeping with Maggie.
The dark Temple eyes—the stare that could stop criminals in their tracks—didn’t let up. Finally Sam had sighed. Ellen. You’re sleeping with Ellen Galway.
At that moment, Luke had realized Sam Temple had just lured him, hooked him and nailed him. The only way out was the truth. Not anymore. It was a mistake. It won’t be repeated. I’m not asking you not to tell her father.
But I’m not going to, and neither are you. Some things are between a father and daughter. Hell, Luke, what were you thinking?
Who’d been thinking?
Sam had promised he would keep an eye and ear out for anything involving the Galway sisters. He had no specific reason for concern, but when Luke had said he wanted to take a couple of days off and fly up to New York, their uncle hadn’t raised any objections.
***
Luke entered the lecture hall, already darkened for Maggie’s talk. It had stadium seating with a capacity of about a hundred-fifty. He estimated the hall was about half filled with students, professors and members of the public. Not bad for a midday talk on Jane Austen. He sat in the back row, on the right-hand aisle. He’d left his hat in the car. No point drawing attention to himself.
He could see Ellen down in front, in the center of the second row.
A middle-aged woman had finished introducing Maggie, who approached the podium with a grace and confidence at odds with her agitation the last two times Luke had seen her. She had slides and video to accompany her talk. The visuals helped him pay attention. Not that he took in what she had to say. He wasn’t attending the lecture to learn about Jane Austen. He was here to observe Maggie’s behavior.
And Ellen’s, too, he supposed. Thick as thieves those two were.
Maggie was clearly into her topic. She was vibrant and energetic and engaged her audience with her arguments, anecdotes and general passion for her subject. Watching her, Luke couldn’t tell anything was wrong with her. He slouched in his chair, considering the possibility he had wasted his time flying north. Maybe he could get a flight back to Austin tonight. Then he wouldn’t have to deal with where he slept.
When Maggie finished, the audience erupted into applause. She thanked them and said she’d see everyone at the reception afterward, then disappeared through a door behind the podium.
Luke yawned—he felt rude but was sure no one saw him—and got up, waiting at the exit as attendees filed past him. Ellen didn’t head his way. Instead she walked up onto the small stage and went through the same door her sister had.
He rubbed the back of his neck, realizing he hadn’t thought past getting through the actual talk. Now what? Make an appearance at the reception?
Probably a good idea. He hoped the food was good, at least.
He followed a group of undergraduates down a corridor, assuming they were headed to the reception. As they turned into a wide doorway to the right, Luke’s phone vibrated. He checked the screen, saw it was Sam Temple on the other end and answered. “What’s up?”