Safe In His Arms

by KAY DAVID

• ISBN13: 9780373781621
• ISBN10: 0373781628
• Edition: Large
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-08
• Publisher: Harlequin

Summary

Ninety percent of what every cop hears is a lie.

And Daniel Bishop knows it. Which is why he's surprised to realize he wants the beautiful Anise Borden to be telling the truth.

Anise's soon-to-be ex was shot as she hugged him goodbye. And th

Excerpts

Houston, Texas May 2007SHE SHOULD HAVE parked closer. By the time Anise reached the gallery, the makeup she'd applied an hour before was sliding off her face. Summers in Houston were brutal but heading for a meeting with a soon-to-be ex-husband didn't help matters. She had no reason to be nervous, she told herself, pulling open the door to the Levy Gallery. Kenneth had finally agreed that the time had come to part ways and he'd promised to sign the papers when they met for drinks this evening. He wasn't happy about the situation--who ever was happy about divorce?--but he'd assured her there would be no more delays. He accepted the fact that their short marriage was over. Or so he said. She stepped into the frigid art gallery and paused under a black vent pouring out icy air. Sarah was nowhere to be seen, but Anise could hear her best friend. She let the cold blast wash over her cheeks and closed her eyes for a second. "This isn't the right piece for you, Mrs. Worthington, and I'll tell you exactly why." Sarah's voice was full of authority. "Your home is a reflection of your standing in the community. You and Mr. Worthington are stars in the Houston galaxy.You need important art on your walls. Art that demands attention and expects to receive it. You represent the old guard. You can afford the most expensive things. Why not buy them?" Anise could hear the murmur of another woman's voice but her words were indistinct. "Yes," Sarah replied, her tone on the verge of condescension. "You're correct there. Borden's piecesaredeveloping a following. But you don't need something from an artist who'sdeveloping.You require art from people who've already arrived. Anise's shadow boxes are almost there, but not quite." Sarah's voice faded as she directed the customer to another part of the gallery. Anise walked to the corner where Sarah and the woman had obviously been viewing her work. More than once, Sarah had explained her reasons for discouraging people from buying Anise's creations but Anise wasn't sure she agreed with the technique. A sale was a sale and she could always use the money. Sarah was in charge of the business end, though, so Anise handled her concern like she did everything that distracted her, by placing it into a box of its own and filing it in the back of her mind. She focused instead on the display before her. A single black wall hung in front of her, suspended from chains that stretched into the darkness overhead. It swung gently in the air-conditioning. Six black pedestals made of iron were set before it with six spotlights shining down, one light on each stand. Sitting on top of each plinth was a box. They ranged in size from six inches square to more than a foot. The bottoms were fashioned from wood but the sides and front were made of glass that had been smeared with petroleum jelly. It was impossible to view the interiors distinctly but inside each box were various items that expressed a theme. Resurrection. Absence. Light. Death. No one knew the titles, but in her mind that's what she called them. She'd sold her first one six years ago for a few hundred dollars. Sarah never let them go now for under five figures. Anise heard the front door open and close, its chimes sounding softly. Sarah's quick step came next, her progress audible as she cut through the gallery. Like a miniature whirlwind, Sarah projected energy and power, from her mass of dark, curly hair to the brightly colored suits she favored. There were days when just looking at Sarah made Anise tired. "I thought that was you who came in." She wrapped Anise in a quick hug then let her go. "Guess you heard me not make a sale for you, huh?" "As a matter of fact, I did hear what you told that poor woman." Anise made a wry face. "What do you mean I'm still "developing?" If I had an ego, it might be a little bruised." Sarah tossed her head