Read Skating Around The Law for Free Online Page B

Pop’s indiscreet sex life. Well, I couldn’t worry about that now. I had to focus on the problem in front of me—getting information and getting the hell out of here.
    Cocking my head to one side, I said, “Maybe I came to the wrong place for advice.”
    â€œMaybe you did.” Lionel took a step closer. “Unless you want to get your grandfather a cow. I’m a large animal veterinarian. Guess you didn’t read the sign when you drove up.”
    â€œGuess not. Since you can’t help me, I should probably get out of your way.” I took two steps toward the door and turned. Doing my best casual voice, I asked, “Did you know Mack Murphy well? I heard he did some work for you.”
    Lionel stared at me for a second, then grinned. “I was wondering when you were going to get around to that.”
    My mouth dropped open, and Lionel started to laugh. The sound made me cringe from embarrassment and want to jump him at the same time. For a moment, I thought about coming clean about my investigation, but I decided against it. Just because Lionel was hot didn’t mean he was trustworthy. “I really am worried about Pop living alone,” I explained.
    Lionel leaned against Elwood’s stall door and crossed his arms. “You also stopped by the sheriff’s office and Annette’s beauty parlor this morning and asked a lot of questions about Mack’s murder investigation.”
    The yenta phone tree in Indian Falls was more efficient than the CIA. I had just been caught red-handed.
    â€œOkay. I feel guilty Mack died in my rink, and Pop mentioned to me that Mack did some work for you. Since you knew Mack, I thought I’d ask you about him.” Okay, that was only part of the truth. Sue me.
    â€œYou forget to mention the fact that Doreen can’t sell a place with an unsolved murder looming over it.”
    Busted again. “I liked my explanation better. Yours makes me sound self-centered.”
    â€œHoney, you’re the one who used your widowed grandfather as an excuse to question me. What would you call that?” Lionel walked toward me, his body stopping only inches from mine. He was close enough that I could feel the heat coming off him. “Since you’re Kay’s daughter, I’ll tell you what you want to know. I hired Mack to do some roofing work. It took him a lot longer than it should have to get it finished, but he and I had a conversation about it over poker, and two days later it was done.”
    Lionel’s head bent down. His lips were now within an inch of my face. Suddenly, the bloody clothes and the smell faded from my mind. “I didn’t kill Mack,” he said firmly, his green eyes staring into mine. “Isn’t that what you’re really here to ask?”
    â€œNo.” Yes. I took a step back, tripped over my own feet, and fell against the barn’s door frame. Lucky for me it was there; otherwise I would have ended up on my butt. Again.
    Lionel pulled me fully upright and grinned. “Well, you let me know if you think I did it. I deserve a chance to try to change your mind.”
    His hands on my shoulders sent little tingles down my spine. I licked my lips and couldn’t help asking, “How would you do that?”
    He looked down at me. His smile told me that my attraction to him was obvious and that he was enjoying it. “I think we could figure something out. Right now I have to take a shower and get back to work.” He took a step toward the back of the barn and added, “I’ll let you know if I come up with a good pet for your grandfather.”
    Lionel walked away from me down the center aisle of the barn. For a moment I enjoyed watching him go. Coming or going, Dr. Franklin looked good. Then, shaking my head, I scooted out to my car.
    Minutes later, I was cruising the streets toward downtown feeling a little dejected about my PI abilities. In the last two and a half