Lenora Worth - Proof of Innocence

“Janey can use all of this as PR,” Chase said, obviously trying to make her smile. “She’s handling the reporters with cookies and coffee. I don’t even want to think about what she’s telling them. She’ll have gawkers driving by for weeks.”

“At least someone will profit from my notoriety,” Erin replied with a frown.

Chase touched his hand to hers in a quick gesture. “It’s going to be all right. Oh, by the way, your father’s on his way, too.”

Erin moaned and held a hand in her hair. “I was hoping I’d see him back at his town house in DC. He shouldn’t drive all the way out here. We’re at least two hours away from the city.”

“He’s bringing lawyers,” Chase said, his eyes full of understanding and sympathy. “I tried—”

“—to talk him out of it,” she finished. “I know how that goes.” Then she turned serious. “Will I have to be arraigned or post bail or whatever comes next?”

Chase’s smile was soft and swift. “Hold on, Sherlock. You aren’t going to be charged with anything right now. But you will be questioned.”

She pushed at her hair. “Again?”

“And again,” he said, his eyes holding hers. “You are innocent until proven guilty, remember? Leon Ridge did tell us that the congressman accidentally shot his son.”

“I am innocent,” she said, hoping he really did believe her. “But Chase...if it’s all over the news that... I’ve been brought in, what do you think Congressman Jeffries will do?”

Chase glanced around to where Captain Gavin McCord stood talking to two FBI agents. They’d already taken the dead man away, but Erin wondered what they would do with her. Did Chase really think he could stop this steamroller?

“Chase?”

He turned back to her. “The congressman will come after you.”

Erin tried to ignore the shudder creeping down her spine. “He’ll be in a panic knowing Leon’s been arrested and that another of his minions is now dead. He still wants me dead. I can’t see that changing. I think it’ll only get worse.”

“He’s running out of options so he’s getting desperate,” Chase said. “Look, let’s get done here and...if you don’t want to go back to your place or to your father’s house, you can come home with me.”

“That won’t be necessary, Officer Zachary.”

Erin cringed and turned, recognizing her father’s stern voice. She shot Chase a glance and saw the dare in his green eyes. Getting up, she hurried to her father before Chase said anything. “Dad.”

“Baby.” Her father pulled her close and for a moment, Erin felt like a little girl again. Tall with hair that had once been dark brown but was now mostly a silvery white, Senator Preston Eagleton had always been a handsome man. And right now, with the scent of expensive cigars and spicy aftershave engulfing her, Erin felt safe again. It was good to be back in her father’s strong arms. Her dad drew back to look at her. “Are you all right?”

“I am now,” she said, tears pricking at her eyes. “I’m sorry I worried you all these months.”

Her father looked her over. “My doctor will meet us and give you a thorough checkup after we move you out to our house. I thought you’d have more privacy out from the city.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said, shaking her head at the thought of heading to her father’s vast country estate. “I’m tired and I have a few bug bites, but—”

“My daughter, hiding out in the woods.” Her father gave her a harsh glance. “Why didn’t you call me, Erin?”

“I had my reasons,” she said, “and I don’t want to talk about all of that right now.”

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.