"Coughlin, Patricia - Love In The First Degree" - читать интересную книгу автора (Coughlin Patricia)

"I was found alone with the body," he said at last. "It was my gun
that killed him and my prints were all over it. That about says it
all, doesn't it?"

"No," she exclaimed, exasperated, "that doesn't tell me nearly enough.
There are a dozen ways to explain away that kind of evidence and at
least a dozen scenarios to establish a justifiable shooting... and a
hundred ways a smart prosecutor will be able to arrange the facts to
make an innocent man appear guilty as hell unless that man is willing
to fight "

"Well, there you go," he said calmly. "I'm not willing: '

"What is wrong with you?" she demanded, coming out of her chair and
planting her palms flat on the table as she leaned forward, glaring at
him. "Do you think this is some kind of game? You against the system,
just like back in high school? Because if you do, you're wrong, and
you're about to get worked over by a legal system that isn't even going
to try to coax you out of your strong, sullen macho routine the way
some school guidance counselor might have."

"I can handle it," he said, his tone remaining soft. The only hint
that she'd gotten through to him came in the dofensive folding of his
arms across his chest.

"You think so?" she pressed. "Well, I don't. I checked your record,
Luke. There isn't one. You've never even done easy time before. What
you've seen so far-a nice cushy holding cell at the county jail-is
nothing compared to what's ahead if you're found guilty. You haven't
even been formally charged, much less convicted and locked up. Take my
word for it, prison is filled with guys a lot bigger and tougher than
you, Cabrio."

"You'd know all about that, huh?"

Claire met his steely gaze head-on. "Yes."

For a few seconds there was silence in the small room. Then, moving
very slowly, Luke circled the table to stand beside her, his voice
becominga blend of silk and ice.

"So tell me about it, Ms. Mackenzie," he urged. "Tell me about the
last man you defended on a murder-one charge. Was he a lot bigger and
tougher than me?"

Claire made a dismissive sound. With him so close it was hard to
imagine any man being bigger or more powerful. He was no longer the
lean, wiry boy she remembered. He was no longer a boy at all. Claire
had an impression of leashed strength and virility that seemed to burn