“In the words of a famous Charlestonian, albeit a fictitious one, ‘Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.’ But even if I did, I would still choose you over any other woman in this city. I have chosen you over any other.”
“Over Steffi Mundell.” His expression caused her to laugh. “You should see your face.”
“How did you know?”
“Women’s intuition. I disliked her on sight. The feeling was mutual, and it had nothing to do with my being a suspect and her being a prosecutor. It was more elemental than that. Today, when she caught us in the elevator together, I knew. You were lovers, weren’t you?”
“ ‘Were’ being the operative and important word here. It lasted almost a year.”
“How long since you broke up?”
“Two days.”
Then it was her turn to register dismay. “Sunday?” He nodded. “Because of Saturday?”
“No. For me it had been over a long time. But after being with you, I knew with absolute certainty that, as a couple, Steffi and I were a lost cause.” He threaded his fingers through her hair. “In spite of your bent for lying, you are the most desirable woman I’ve ever met. In every way. It goes beyond the physical.”
Pleased, she smiled. “For instance?”
“You’re smart.”
“Kind to animals and the elderly.”
“You’re funny.”
“Even-tempered. Most of the time.”
“You’re thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
“Somehow I knew you were a Boy Scout.”
“An Eagle Scout. Where was I? Oh, your tits are perfect.”
“What happened to going beyond the physical?”
Dispensing with the frivolity, he kissed her meaningfully. When at last he pulled away, her troubled expression alarmed him. “What?”
“Be careful, Hammond.”
“No one will know I was here.”
She shook her head. “Not that.”
“Then what?”
“You may have to put me on trial for my life. Please be careful that you don’t make me fall in love with you first.”
Wednesday
Chapter 22
“Thank you for seeing me.”
Solicitor Monroe Mason offered Steffi a chair in his office. “I only have a minute. What’s on your mind?”
“The Pettijohn case.”
“I guessed as much. Anything specific?”