A Necessary Risk

by Kathleen Long

• ISBN13: 9780373887507
• ISBN10: 0373887507
• Edition: Large
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-03-13
• Publisher: Harlequin

Summary

Detective Zach Thomas had one goal: ifnd out what really happened the day his brother died. Problem was he had to involve beautiful scientist Jessica Parker. Then, as Zach slowly uncovered some deadly secrets, his need for vengeance was overshadowed by his desire to protect Jessica.A BUTTONED-UP BEAUTY who'd AWAKENED A KILLER Jessica Parker knew she'd spent her life doing no harm, and yet somehow the research she'd conducted had gone so horribly wrong. Could her gorgeous protector prevent her from falling victim to an elusive enemy who'd stop at nothing to suppress the truth?

Excerpts

Six weeks laterNervous anticipation wound its way through Jessica Parker as she waited for Miles Van Cleef to introduce her to those gathered. She'd waited for this moment for a very long time. Years, to be precise. Her newest promotion had been timed per-fectly for today's media showcase. New Horizon held the event twice each year to tout their latest clinical trials and keep com-munity support strong for their work. She'd been named lead researcher on Whitman Pharma's testing of HC0815 two weeks earlier, and Van Cleef had asked her to handle one section of today's presentation. She couldn't be more thrilled. Or more nervous. While she considered herself a whiz with facts and figures, people were another matter altogether. Let alone speaking in front of a crowd this large. As Van Cleef covered the basics of New Horizon's relationship with area pharmaceu-tical companies and New Jersey College, Jess scanned the crowd, taking note of the expres-sions of those present. Some intent. Some quite obviously watching the clock. When her gaze landed on one individual in particular, she found herself riveted, unable to look away. Her typically strong intuition told her instantly something was amiss. He didn't belong here. His strong features showed no sign of emotion. Close-cropped dark hair neatly covered his head, and what had to be at least a three-day stubble graced the sharp line of his jaw. While others in the room had shed their jackets due to the temperature inside the room, he wore a leather jacket yet showed no sign of perspiration. No sign of weakness, actually. She didn't need her advanced science degree to know he stuck out like a sore thumb. There was no doubt in her mind he didn't belong. But who was he? And who was he with? While the others present displayed an apparent interest--faked or not--in Dr. Van Cleef's presentation, taking notes and asking questions, the man in question did neither. He stared so intently at the presentation screen it was a wonder his gaze didn't sear a hole clean through the wall. The appropriate media pass hung around his neck, but Jess couldn't make out the name of the organization he represented, even though she squinted intently at the small square object. Did he work for a competing institution? Had he gotten his hands on media credentials and crashed the showcase? Investigational drug testing was a brutally competitive industry, and while they did their best to keep their work and specific details of their clients' drug development a secret, a breach in security was always a threat at New Horizon. When the man's focus shifted unexpect-edly to her, Jess looked away, her breath catching for a split second. She was being ri-diculous, of course. He couldn't possibly know she'd been studying his every move--or lack thereof. And what if he did? She had a right to stare just as much as he did. She turned her attention back to the pre-sentation, waiting for her cue to approach the podium, but felt the man's eyes on her. She ignored the heat of his stare, focusing instead on the work here at New Horizon--specifically her work--and the comments she was about to make. Taking over the Whitman Pharma testing had been a dream come true. While she'd been with New Horizon for the past two years, she'd spent the five years prior working in the New Jersey College medical research department. She'd learned firsthand just how miraculous today's medicines could be when it came to curing illness. Excitement skittered through her as Van Cleef's presentation shifted to the topic of Whitman Pharma's development of a revolu-tionary treatment for Hepatitis C. At long last, a cure sat on the horizon--a total and complete cure. With none of the psychologi-cal side effects of existing drug therapies. Jess wrapped her arms around herself and smiled. Wa