The Defender. Adrienne Giordano
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if he had children. None of her previous research had indicated such. From what she knew, he was in his early thirties and had never been married. Didn’t mean he hadn’t had a relationship that resulted in a baby. She could have overlooked certain aspects of his personal life.
“Unless she agreed to do the trades,” Penny said, “the photo implied her boy would be in danger. So she did it. What devoted mother wouldn’t break the law to protect her child? Let’s not forget she’s a grieving widow. Until last week, she’d been unable to go through Sam’s things. When she finally worked up the nerve, she found multiple safe-deposit-box keys hidden in the attic. Those safe-deposit boxes contained five million dollars in cash.”
Russ’s eyebrows flew up. “Not bad.”
“Assuming it was the stolen money, she cleaned out the boxes and took the money to Heath. She figured the debt would be paid and that would be the end of it.”
“How naive is this woman?”
Penny shrugged. “More desperate than naive. Heath took the money, but told her she’d have to continue making trades or else... Fearing she’d be prosecuted if she went to the FBI, she came to me.”
“And here we are.”
“Yes. She wants out. She can give you account numbers, how the scheme works, everything. She just wants a new life somewhere safe.”
Penny sat back and waited. She’d done her job and presented her offer. Now the FBI would have to decide how to handle it.
Again, Russ drummed his fingers, his gaze on her, unyielding, analyzing. Trying to figure her angle. No angle. Just an attorney trying to give her client peace of mind.
Penny leaned forward, touched the arm of his chair. “She’s a mom, Russell. Her husband is dead and she’s trying to make a life for her son. She knows she broke the law. She wants to make it right. Can you help her?”
Russ glanced down at her hand on the armrest, then brought his gaze back to her face. She wouldn’t attempt a guess at his thoughts. Cynics tended to surprise her, so she’d long ago given up trying to figure them out.
“Let me talk to my supervisor,” he said. “Elizabeth is willing to give us everything? No screwing around?”
First step complete. Go, Penny. “No screwing around. I promise.”
Someone rapped on her door and she glanced up to see her brother Zac and his girlfriend standing in the doorway. They’re back. “Hey, guys. Is Dad okay?”
“He’s fine. I figured we’d check on you and take you home.”
Zac slid a questioning gaze to Russ, then came back to her. Right. Introductions. “Special Agent Voight, this is my brother Zachary and his girlfriend, Emma. Zac and Emma, meet Russell Voight from the FBI”
Emma made an oh face. “Are we interrupting?”
As usual, the sight of Emma, her dark hair pulled back in a way that resembled a cute third-grade teacher, settled Penny’s rattled nerves. Which was saying something, because not many people in Penny’s world had that kind of influence. Funny in an easy, disarming way, she carried a reserved calm about her. Emma, being the complete opposite in all matters concerning looks, fashion, outspokenness and Penny’s general affection for chaos, was special.
And considering she’d started out as Penny’s client when she’d thrown herself into proving her wrongfully convicted brother’s innocence, Penny liked to brag that she’d found Emma before Zac. Depending on the day, Penny either took credit for bringing them together or accused her brother of being a pig for seducing her then client and now close friend.
“I think we’re about done here,” Russ said, turning toward Zac and Emma.
Zac adjusted his posture, squeaking out a few more millimeters of height while he took stock of the other male in the room. Fascinated, Penny shifted her gaze to Russ’s back and the excellent fit of his jacket. At first glance, the differences between Russ Voight and Zac Hennings weren’t hard to miss. Where Zac was tall and broad-shouldered with blond hair, Russ Voight’s short dark hair stood out. His height clocked in over a few inches shorter than Zac’s and maybe his body was more compact, but the set of his shoulders, that thrown-back I’m-in-charge stance, not to mention his predatory grace, indicated all male, all the time. Something churned low in Penny’s belly. Maybe it was lower. Lower than her belly, higher than her thighs. Pure sexual attraction.
Russ shook Zac’s hand. “You’re the Cook County ASA. Criminal Prosecutions Bureau, right?”
Knows Zac. Interesting. Not nearly as interesting as watching these two size each other up the way idiot males often did in their attempt to establish who’d be the lead gorilla in the room.
“Yeah.” Zac said.
“Uh-oh, Zachary. The FBI knows who you are. Maybe they’re watching you.”
Zac shrugged. “Let ’em watch.”
Russ glanced back at her. “You’re half-right.”
“Excuse me?” she said.
“It’s part of the shooting investigation. We’re looking at motive as to why someone decided to open fire on innocent civilians. Your brother’s job—as well as yours—makes him a possibility.”
Emma straightened from leaning on the doorframe and stepped fully into the room. “Come again?”
Without moving from his spot, Zac nodded. “People threaten ASAs all the time.”
“Correct,” Russ said. “We’re looking at everything. Including the case your father is currently working.”
“Hang on,” Penny said. “You think the shooter was aiming at my father?”
“Didn’t say that.”
“Russell!”
He shifted back, tilted his head and gave her a flat-mouthed look. “Can I answer the question before you start hollering?”
Sufficiently chastised, Penny sat back. “Sorry.”
Zac folded his arms and grinned. “This, I’m enjoying.”
“No kidding,” Emma said.
But Penny had had enough of them. “Knock it off, you two. Go ahead, Russell.”
Russ swung his gaze to Zac and Emma, then came back to Penny. “Anyway, we’re looking at every angle. Everything is a possibility.”
“You’ll keep us updated?”
“Of course. Until we figure this out, though, don’t go having press conferences on the courthouse steps. Lay low and stay safe. Got it?”
And—hello, sexy eyes—the power in that dark-chocolate stare set her body to churning again. Normally, she’d say something snarky about being bossed around, but Russ didn’t look in the mood to play. She didn’t know him well enough to know what he was in the mood for, but if the shadows under his eyes were any indication, sleep might be at the top of his list.
“I’ve got it,” Penny said. “I’ll be careful.”
“Thank you. We’re all set here, then?”
She nodded. “You’ll get back to me about that other matter?”
“As soon as I have something, I’ll call you.”
“Thanks. And thanks for today, too.”
Their eyes connected for a few short seconds, that focused and unmistakable recognition of sexual attraction. If Penny would let it happen, Russell Voight could completely unglue her. Which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, because heaven knew it took a lot for a man to work her up. Part of being an aggressive woman meant finding a man willing to do battle when necessary. And even when not necessary. Call her crazy, but Penny hungered for the pull of a heated argument.