Read In Harm's Way for Free Online

for businesses,” she answered. “I’ve always been fascinated with computers.”
    â€œSounds like a perfect job for you, then,” he said, wishing he knew more about computers so he could discuss them intelligently. “I know how to log on at work and access the info I need, that’s about it. You know, I actually had you pegged as a model?”
    â€œI used to be, but I outgrew it.” From her curt answer, Mitch concluded she definitely didn’t want to elaborate.
    â€œThanks for trying to take my mind off…things,” she said. “You’re very kind for a stranger.”
    â€œâ€˜I have always depended on the kindness of strangers,’” he quoted. “Blanche DuBois, Streetcar Named Desire. ”
    â€œOh, come on,” she said, with a surprised little laugh. “She was such a wimp!”
    â€œI didn’t mean to imply that about you. What you said just reminded me of the phrase. You like old movies?”
    â€œSometimes. Books are better.”
    â€œI guess,” he said, bringing that particular conversation to a dead end. He rarely had time to read, other than for additional training or information. He liked to, but if he couldn’t sit down with a book and finish it in one sitting, he didn’t pick one up.
    â€œSo,” he said, broaching another subject as he turned onto the loop and snaked his way around the city, “I guess New Yorkers keep to a much faster pace than we do down here.”
    â€œEvidently,” she said dryly without elaborating.
    Mitch smiled. “Never rush when we can take our time. Never run unless somebody’s chasing us.”
    He heard a short laugh of surprise, then a soft little “Sorry. I did sound condescending, didn’t I?”
    â€œNo problem. Being underestimated works mostly to our advantage. Mine, anyway.”
    â€œI’ll certainly keep that in mind,” she said, but without any asperity.
    Mitch hadn’t meant it as a warning. Or had he? Was he subconsciously trying to prepare her for the fact that he wouldn’t cut her any slack if she was lying about killing Andrews? This second-guessing himself was driving him nuts.
    â€œWill you be all right?” he asked, shoving his self-analysis to the back burner. “Financially, I mean. What about your work?”
    â€œI can function just as well from here, assuming I can have my laptop back.”
    â€œBack? Where is it?”
    â€œIt’s at James’s apartment. So is my suitcase,” she said.
    Mitch bumped the steering wheel with the heel of his hand. “I should have thought about that. We can go for your things first.”
    He moved into the lane to take the next exit, intending to reverse their direction. “They’re probably finished checking them out.”
    â€œWait!” she said, reaching out, almost touching his arm. Then she drew back. “Could…could we not go back there just now?”
    He understood. “Sure. I’ll call and have one of the guys bring them to you or I’ll go pick them up.”
    â€œThank you.”
    The ensuing silence extended and became uncomfortable. He was usually a pretty good conversationalist, but for the life of him, Mitch couldn’t think of anything else to talk about that didn’t involve discussing some aspect of the murder. He had nothing at all in common with a woman like Robin Andrews.
    Instinctively he knew she was going to hate the apartment. He could imagine her world, envision her living in monochromatic, uncluttered splendor in some New York high-rise. Where he was going to put her, she’d think she had landed on another planet, or at least in a former century. But it was the best he could do for her under the circumstances. She would just have to get used to it.
    â€œAre you hungry?” he asked, figuring he couldn’t go wrong applying the lowest common denominator. Everybody needed food.
    She