Page 66 of A Legal Affair

Daniela’s eyes narrowed suspiciously on her brother’s face. “Was that a compliment you just paid me?”

Kenneth looked affronted. “You don’t have to sound so surprised. I’ve been saying from the very beginning that you’d have no problem pulling off this assignment, and I was right. Here we are at weektwo, and you’ve already got Caleb Thorne pulling strings to get you an internship at his old man’s firm. It’s like I said before. You’re our secret weapon.” He jabbed an accusing finger at Noah. “He’sthe one who didn’t think you could handle going undercover.”

“I never doubted Daniela’s ability to pull off the assignment,” Noah corrected, speaking for only the second time since her big announcement. “What I was concerned about was what she’d have to do in order to pull it off.” He gave his sister a meaningful look.

She glanced away from his discerning gaze, afraid he’d read the truth in her eyes, as he so often did. With the exception of their mother, no one knew Daniela better than Noah.

“When’s your interview with Thorne?” Kenneth asked, reaching for his phone.

“Tomorrow evening,” Daniela answered. “We’re having dinner at his ranch.”

Kenneth’s head jerked up from his phone, where he’d been accessing the calendar. Mouth half open, he stared at Daniela across the width of the desk. “You’re meeting at Thorne’shome? Whose idea was that?”

“Caleb’s.”

Kenneth grinned. “This just keeps getting better and better.”

“Not necessarily,” Daniela countered. “Even if Idoland the internship, it’s not like I’ll have access to confidential records or financial ledgers. I seriously doubt that I’ll uncover anything incriminating about Crandall Thorne while working as a lowly intern at his firm.”

“That’s because you’re not thinking like a P.I.,” Kenneth chided. “You have to be resourceful, Daniela. As an intern, you can be as obscure as a fly on the wall, which means you might see or overhear things others wouldn’t, or be given assignments that would make you privy to sensitive information. You have to make the most of each and every opportunity that comes your way. At the same time, be prepared to create opportunities out of nothing. Think like a P.I.”

“Yes, sir,” Daniela said with a mock salute, though she knew everything he said was right. Any private investigator worth her salt would know how to capitalize on the prime opportunity she’d been given to infiltrate the enemy camp and scout his artillery. For three years, Daniela had been imploring her brothers to take her more seriously by entrusting her with big cases. Now was her chance to prove herself, to show once and for all that shedidhave what it took to be an equal partner in the detective agency.

So why wasn’t she excited?

You know why, her embattled conscience reminded her.

“Anyway, the most important thing is that you have a foot in the door,” Kenneth said. “My guess is that it won’t be long now before Caleb pours out his heart to you, giving you the information we need to nail his old man and collect the rest of our payment from Philbin.”

Daniela bristled at her brother’s cocksure tone. “What if I don’t learn anything incriminating from Caleb?” she challenged. “For that matter, what if there’s nothing incriminating to learn? What if this is all one big wild-goose chase?”

Kenneth gave her a look that told her she should know better. “Hoyt Philbin isn’t the kind of man who forks over large sums of money for wild-goose chases. And we’re all aware of how Crandall Thorne earnedhisfortune—by defending mobsters and corrupt labor union bosses who’d stop at nothing to keep from getting caught. We all know Thorne is guilty ofsomething. It’s our job to find out what.” His deep voice softened to an urgent plea. “We’re counting on you, Daniela. Don’t lose sight of the goal—it’s within your reach.”

Daniela held up a hand. “All right, Kenneth. Enough with the lecturing. A lot’s riding on my shoulders. I get it, okay?”

He chuckled, unfazed by her ire. “Just making sure we have an understanding. I’m trying to run a business here.”

“Which reminds me,” Daniela interjected dryly. “When are you guys planning to hire another secretary?”

Kenneth and Noah traded pained looks.

“I had to fire Carole this afternoon,” Noah sullenly informed her. “The temp agency is sending someone over tomorrow.”

“I have a better idea,” Daniela said. “Why don’t we hire Janie?”

Kenneth frowned. “Janie who?”

“Janie Roarke. Your wife.”

“What?”

“I think Janie could help us out tremendously,” Daniela quickly forged ahead. “She’s smart as a whip, efficient, super organized. We all know she’s more than qualified for the position?—”

“Janie’s not in the market for a job,” Kenneth said through gritted teeth.

“Why not?” Daniela demanded.

“Because she already has a job—staying home and taking care of our children.”