Page 8 of Texas Scandal

He held the phone out to Melody.

“All you have to do is agree to representation. John Prescott is on the line,” he said to her.

There was no way she could afford to pay him, but she could figure out how to let the attorney down later. Right now, she needed to get the sheriff off her back, so she took the offering.

“Mr. Prescott, this is Melody,” she said. Tiernan had already explained to him who she was.

“I’d like to take your case pro bono,” Mr. Prescott said. “And, please, call me John.”

Several questions popped into her mind along with the saying,don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

“I would very much like to be your client, John,” she said, making eye contact with a dejected-looking sheriff. She had no idea why Texas’s most respected criminal attorney had just offered to work with her, but she had Tiernan Hayes to thank for it. The last name had pull in this state and she would do good to remember the fact. She stopped short of comparing him to her father. Tiernan had on simple clothes—jeans and boots. His calm, polite demeanor was the opposite of her father’s charismatic personality. He’d charmed plenty of people out of their money.

“Good,” he said. “Would you mind handing the phone to Sheriff Tanner?”

“Not at all.” She studied the sheriff. “John would like to speak to you.”

“Are you sure this is the path you want to take?” Sheriff Tanner asked as he stared at the phone being offered.

“You haven’t given me much of a choice, have you?” she asked.

“Okay, then,” Sheriff Tanner said, reaching across the desk for the cell. He held it to his ear. “Yes, sir.” There was a beat of silence. “No, sir.” Another beat of silence passed. “Well, sir, there’s...” John must have cut Tanner off. He brought his other hand up to rub his chin. “She’s right here.”

The phone came back over the massive desk as Sheriff Tanner rested his elbows on his desk in a look of defeat.

“This is Melody again,” she said.

“Tanner should be telling you that he doesn’t have any further questions,” John said. “I’m sending a car to pick you and Tiernan up. I’d like to meet as soon as possible, and since you’re closer to Tiernan’s house, I thought that might be faster. Can I tell the driver to take you home with Tiernan?”

“I guess that would be okay,” she said, figuring a change of clothes would have to wait. There was no way she could go back to the office today. Everything was happening fast, and she needed a minute to process. It would probably be good to have a conversation with Tiernan, considering the body had been found on his property. He’d given her a quick rundown a few minutes ago. The information was beginning to take seed and questions were taking shape. Or maybe she just needed to hear it all again, slower this time. A man was dead who had her name and address in his pocket. She wouldn’t rest until she figured out who he was and why he was trying to find her.

“Good,” John said. “Do you mind giving the phone back to Tiernan?”

“No, not at all,” she said. “Thank you for taking this case.”

“Innocent people deserve good representation,” John said with conviction that made her believe he was the best person for the job.

She thanked him again before handing the phone over to Tiernan. Their fingers grazed and she did her best to hide the sensual shiver that ran up her arm. More of that warmth exploded in her chest as their gazes locked.

Melody took in a breath, trying to calm her nerves. The vapor rub scent was a stark reminder of the real reason she was in the same room with Tiernan Hayes. A man who might have been coming after her had been murdered. And she would do whatever it took to find out why she’d just become a target.

Chapter Four

“We’ll be leaving now, Sheriff,” Tiernan said, as he leaned against the doorjamb after closing out the call with the hotshot lawyer who was on board to represent Melody. “Unless you have any additional questions, in which case I’ll get Prescott back on the line.”

Sheriff Tanner shifted his gaze to a spot in the corner of the room where the ceiling met two walls. He picked up a pencil on his desk, broke it in half and said, “I guess we’re done here. But Ms. Cantor is advised not to leave town without contacting my office first.”

“Her phone works anywhere, so unless you have a reason to detain her here, she can go anywhere she pleases,” Tiernan continued, not liking the sheriff’s reactions.

“Free country,” Tanner conceded with a frown as he tossed the splintered wooden pieces on top of his desk.

Melody walked out of the office and into the hallway, whispering a thank-you as she passed by. Tiernan held back the urge to smile. First of all, it was way too early to claim victory with the sheriff. He might not come off as the most intelligent person, but it was anyone’s guess who might be behind the man, pulling the strings. The sheriff had to have connections in order to get the job in the first place, which meant he could be tied to prominent families—families who weren’t too thrilled with the daughter of Henry Cantor. Greed was right up there on the list of motives for murder.

Melody stood beside him in the parking lot. She rubbed her arms to stave off the sudden chill in the air. Tiernan had to resist the urge to wrap his arm around her to keep her warm.

A dark blue SUV arrived within ten minutes at almost the same second Prescott texted the ride should be pulling up. Tiernan acknowledged the driver with a nod before opening the door to the middle row of seats. He offered a hand to help Melody climb inside. His reaction to skin on skin contact as she took the offering left him speechless. He climbed in behind her, clearing his throat to ease some of the sudden dryness. He hadn’t had this type of reaction to touching someone in longer than he cared to remember.

After closing the door behind him, he turned his attention to the driver as Melody buckled in. “I’m guessing you already have my address.”

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