Adverse Possession (The Anna Albertini Files #3) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,32

tell her about my case, but I could commiserate a little bit.

“You promise I won’t go to prison?” Her eyes were a meadow green in the mellow light, and she looked younger than her twenty-one years.

The temptation to guarantee her that and ease her mind was surprisingly strong. “No. I wish I could promise you that, but I can’t. What I can say is that I’m good at my job and will do everything I can to make sure you don’t go to prison. I trust our legal system, and you’re innocent, so I believe this will all turn out okay. But I’d be lying if I made a promise I can’t guarantee.”

Her shoulders hunched. “I appreciate the honesty.”

“Honesty sometimes sucks,” I said, finally getting a laugh out of her. I pushed myself to my feet. “Did you drive here?”

“No. My boyfriend dropped me off. The flower shop is just around the corner, so I figured I’d walk to work.” She stood and brushed dust off her butt.

I reclaimed my laptop bag. “Boyfriend, huh? When did that start?” I’d wanted to ask about the purple condom, but it hadn’t pertained to her case, and I could only be so nosy.

“Not long,” she said, smiling. “He’s a good guy.” She reached down and picked up her purse. “I’m sorry to be hanging out in your building. I just didn’t know what to do, and it’s warm and quiet here.”

It really was. “These old buildings have a good feeling to them, don’t they?” We should probably get a bench or two to put along the hallways, although each office was complete on its own. Potted plants positioned throughout couldn’t hurt. The environment was perfect for plants. “How about I give you a ride home?” I’d been to her house a few weeks previous during a case. It wasn’t on my way home, but it wasn’t too much out of the way, either. “I’m happy to.”

“Okay.” She looked blindly around. “Thanks.”

We walked down the steps and into the warm August early evening. Petunias scented the air, even in the alley. They overflowed planters all down the streets of Timber City, and this late in the summer, they filled the early evening with fragrance. My steps were light as I walked around a couple of cars and tossed my bag in back after opening the door for Kelsey.

She slid inside and tucked her purse at her feet.

Maybe I should ask her to dinner. She really did seem lonely. I crossed around the car to reach the driver’s side door, wondering if Tessa was working at Smiley’s. We could pop by there for a burger and shake.

A truck zoomed down the alley and skidded to a stop.

I jerked around. Crap. The driver was one of the Lorde’s women from the other day, and a quick look at the passenger confirmed it was the other blonde. I jumped into my car and ignited the engine. Whatever they wanted wasn’t good.

The blonde lifted a muted gray pistol to her window.

Kelsey turned around. “What is happening?”

I gunned my car and shot down the alley, away from the truck and the gun. “Um, hold on.” They were blocking my way to Justice Road and thus the police station, but I could still get out the other end of the alley. “Call Aiden,” I yelled at Siri on my phone.

“Calling Aiden Devlin,” Siri said in the male Australian accent I’d chosen. He sounded so calm.

Kelsey slammed her hands against the dash.

My heart raced as I reached the end of the alley and zipped right on Acorn Road. I punched the gas, my mind spinning. Crap. The truck careened behind me, its brakes squealing.

“Hey, Angel,” Aiden said over the phone.

“The Lorde’s old ladies are chasing me in a truck and one has a gun,” I yelled, my hands gripping the steering wheel so hard it hurt. “What is going on? Aren’t you still the president of whoever is left in that stupid motorcycle club?”

“What? Just a second.” He muffled the phone and yelled something unintelligible. Male voices came back. “Which old ladies?” he snapped.

Kelsey’s mouth dropped wide open and she stared at me.

“I don’t know. One blonde and one brunette. They were both with Sasha the other day.” The light was turning red ahead of me. I glanced quickly to the sides to see cars coming, so I had no choice but to slam on the brakes.

Kelsey screamed.

My car lurched and I fell against the steering wheel. “Ouch! Seatbelt, Kelsey!” There