Best Kept Secrets(34)
"Apparently, my mind doesn't operate on the same prurient
track as yours." He took a step closer and lowered his
voice. "But, we could change that."
Alex refused to let him provoke her, which she knew came
closer to his intention than seduction. "Do they sleep together?"
"I guess so. It's none of my business what they do or
don't do in bed. Furthermore, I don't care. I only care about
what goes on in my bed. Why don't you ask me about that?"
"Because I don't care."
Again, he gave her a slow, knowing grin. "I think you
do."
"I hate being patronized, Mr. Lambert, just because I'm
a woman prosecutor."
"Then stop being one."
"A woman?"
"A prosecutor."
Mentally, she counted to ten. "Does Angus see other
women?"
She could see annoyance building up behind his green eyes.
His patience with her was wearing thin. "Do you take Sarah
Jo for a passionate woman?"
"No," Alex replied.
"Do you figure that Angus has a healthy sexual appetite?"
"If it matches his other appetites, I'd say yes."
"Then, I guess you've got your answer."
"Has their relationship affected Junior?"
"How the hell should I know? Ask him."
"He'd only make some glib, dismissive comment."
"Which would be a nice way of telling you that you're
interfering with business that doesn't concern you. I'm not
as nice as he is. Butt out, lady."
"This does concern me."
He withdrew his hands from his hip pockets and folded
his arms across his chest. "I can hardly wait to hear this
rationalization."
She didn't let his sarcasm daunt her. "His parents' relationship
might explain Why Junior has had three failed marriages."
"That's something else that's none of your business."
"It is my business."
"How so?"
"Because Junior loved my mother."
The words reverberated down the corridor of the quiet
stable. Reede's head went back with a snap, as if he'd sustained
a quick, unexpected uppercut on the chin. "Who told
you that?"
"He did." She watched him closely, adding softly, "He
said you both loved her."
He stared at her for a considerable time, then shrugged.
"In one way or another. So?"
"Is that why Junior's marriages didn't work? Because he
was still carrying a torch for my mother?"
"I have no idea."
"Take a wild guess."
"Okay." Arrogantly, he angled his head to one side. "I
don't think Celina had shit to do with Junior's marriages. It's
just that he can't f*ck for recreation without feeling guilty
about it later, so to ease his conscience, he takes a wife every
few years."
His statement was intended to offend her, and it did. She
tried not to show how much. "Why do you think he feels
guilty about it?"
"Genetics. He's got generations of southern chivalry flowing
through his veins. That makes for a guilty conscience
where the ladies are concerned."
"What about you?"
A Cheshire-cat grin lifted one corner of his mouth.' 'I never
feel guilty for anything I do."
"Even murder?"
His grin collapsed and his eyes turned dark. "Get the hell
out of here."
"Have you ever been married?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"None of your goddamn business. Anything else, Counselor?"
"Yes. Tell me about your father."
Gradually, Reede lowered his arms to his sides. He gave her a hard, cold stare. Alex said, "I know your father died
while you were still in school. Junior mentioned it today.
When he died, you came to live here."
"You have a morbid curiosity, Miss Gaither."
"I'm not curious. I'm looking for facts pertinent to my
investigation."
"Oh, sure. Pertinent stuff like Angus's sex life."
She gave him a reproving look. "Motives are what I'm
after, Sheriff Lambert. As a law officer, you can identify
with that, can't you? Ever hear of motive and opportunity?"
His eyes turned even colder. "I need to establish your frame
of mind the night of my mother's death."
"That's bullshit. What has that got to do with my old
man?"
"Maybe nothing, but you tell me. If it's irrelevant, why
are you so touchy about it?"
"Did Junior tell you how my old man died?" She shook
her head. Reede snorted a bitter laugh. "I can't imagine why
not. The nasty details made big news around here. People