“The police and witness statements sealed the deal,” she told him truthfully. “I just wrapped it all up for the jury in a nice, neat bow.”
One corner of his lips curved in a crooked grin as he sauntered toward her. “I’ve seen you in action enough times to know you did a lot more than that.”
Still pouring on the charm, I see.
Not that it was going to work on her this time. Or any other time, for that matter.
“I did my job, Neil. The justice system worked. It’s as simple as that.”
“Oh, Eloise.” His head shook back and forth slowly. “Nothing with you is ever simple.”
She couldn’t exactly argue with that.
“We should celebrate.” He glanced down at his watch and smiled. “It’s after eleven, so Chez Dubois won’t be too busy yet. I still have a standing reservation there, so what do you say you take an early lunch and—”
“That’s very nice of you to offer, but I have a lot of work to catch up on here.”
“Come on, El.” His gaze slid to the small pile of folders on her desk. “That stuff will still be here when you get back.”
He reached for her hand, his fingers wrapping around hers as he started to gently pull her toward the door.
“I just told you, I can’t.” She tried to ignore the tightening of his grip. “I’m sorry, but I can’t just take off whenever I—”
“Sure, you can,” he cut her excuse short. “You’re the boss, right?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then you can do whatever your little heart desires.”
The only desire her little heart had right now was to punch the cocky SOB square in his perfect nose. Thanks to another unexpected interruption, she didn’t have to.
“Um…Miss Fisher?”
Both Ellie and Neil turned to see her paralegal, Seth Payne, standing in her open doorway. At twenty-one, he was young, eager, and one of the top students in his law class. He also had perfect timing.
Mental note…give Seth a raise.
“Yes, Seth?”
“I-I apologize for the interruption, but…” he apologized for bursting in.
She wanted to hug him for it.
Instead, Ellie pulled her hand free and smiled at her right-hand man. “It’s okay.” More than okay. What did you need?”
“I think…” He swallowed hard, his expression growing more nervous by the second. “You, uh…you should turn on the TV.”
Okay, nowshewas getting nervous.
Spinning on her heels, Ellie went back to her desk and picked up the remote. She pointed it toward the flat screen poised on the wall opposite where she stood.
“Which channel?” She pressed the power button.
“Any of the local ones should have it on.”
“Have what on?” Neil asked, coming to stand beside her.
Before Seth could answer, the T.V. came on. Ellie didn’t have to change the channel to find the breaking news banner scrolling across the screen.