Dead Giveaway by Brenda Novak Page B

know?” To Allie, justice was justice. The case needed to be solved, regardless. But did Madeline really understand what she was asking? She craved answers, but what if those answers only caused her fresh pain?
    â€œI don’t have to worry,” Madeline said. “It’s not him.”
    For Madeline’s sake—and Clay’s, too, because he was so young when it’d all happened—Allie hoped not. “I’ll take your word for it,” she said. “For now. But I definitely don’t want to miss out on the opportunity to talk to Clay while he’s willing to speak with me.”
    â€œThere’ll be other chances.”
    Allie wasn’t willing to risk it. “No, I’ll tank up on coffee and go out with you. Just let me get Whitney to bed.”
    â€œOkay. But don’t press my brother too hard. He doesn’t socialize much, and I want him to have a nice time tonight.”
    â€œI’ll be on my best behavior,” Allie said. But she couldn’t imagine anyone pressing Clay further than he wanted to go.
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    Clay spotted Allie the moment she opened the door of the crowded pool hall. She was wearing a black miniskirt and a hot-pink, long-sleeved stretchy top. The skirt could’ve been a lot shorter, but it was short enough to be surprising on someone so conservative. And while the top wasn’t low-cut, it clung to her in all the right places. Maybe she wasn’t soft and voluptuous, but she looked…trim, fit and well proportioned, especially for her size. She’d also put some gel in her hair and styled it in a shaggy, fashionable way. The short length emphasized her eyes—and her slightly oversize mouth. That mouth had been sexy even when she wore that off-putting uniform.
    Clay saw more than a few male heads turn as Allie spotted him, Madeline and Kirk and began to stride toward their table in the back corner. Evidently, he wasn’t the only man in the place impressed with her transformation.
    â€œHi,” she said, giving Clay a no-holds-barred smile as she slid into the one empty chair, which happened to be right next to him.
    He refused to let his gaze linger on her mouth. “Hello,” he responded. Then he drained his beer. He had a feeling that it was going to be a long night. He didn’t like what he was doing or why he was doing it. But that didn’t matter. He had to do what he could. It always came down to necessity.
    â€œYou look great,” Madeline said. “I hope you’ve found your second wind.”
    â€œI took some No-Doz. It was quicker and easier than drinking a gallon of coffee,” she said.
    Clay knew his stepsister was very attractive, with her long, thick auburn hair, dramatic cheekbones and largehazel eyes. But Allie didn’t look drab by comparison. It was her mouth…. And that beauty mark. Heck, Clay was even beginning to like her freckles. She was different, unusual…and seemed unaware of the effect she was having on the men around her.
    â€œCoffee makes me jittery if I drink too much,” Allie was saying. “It’s the curse that goes along with having a high metabolism. I’m usually hyper until I can’t go anymore, and then—” she snapped her fingers “—I’m out. So, if this affects me the same way and I go to sleep—” she smiled at Clay again “—wake me up.”
    â€œWe’ll take care of you,” he said.
    Her eyes met his, and he read frank curiosity in them.
    â€œWould you like a drink?” he asked.
    â€œI’ll have a beer.”
    At his wave, the waitress hurried over, and he ordered two beers. “Anyone else?”
    â€œI’m all set,” Madeline said.
    Kirk lifted his half-filled glass. “Me, too. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a game of pool.”
    Kirk was as easygoing and affable as he looked. Until he was confronted by a threat to someone he loved.