“Why did they send you?” he asked. “Why not a few of their high-powered lawyers?”

She laughed a little. “That was my grandfather’s first impulse, but we decided to try honey before vinegar.”

He froze. “We? You’re related to them?”

“My maiden name is Blackstone,” she said. “William Blackstone was my brother.” She waved a hand toward the shadowy figures of the men outside his door. “I’ve always had bodyguards. My father lived in terror that history might repeat itself, and he kept me sheltered until the day he died. Losing my brother was a wound that never fully healed for either of us.”

A deluge of embarrassment threatened to drown Patrick. “My pardon. I didn’t realize your connection to the case. Of course you have every reason to resent Mick Malone. I hope you can understand. . . .”

He hoped she could understand that lawyers sometimes had to hold their noses and take unpopular clients. The justice system could never be fair unless everyone had access to a lawyer. Everyone. Even unsavory people like Mick Malone.

“I understand that money can do strange things to people who lack it,” she said. “We can avoid the legal assault my family is prepared to throw against Mr. Malone and settle this quickly. All your client needs to do is sign an agreement never to publish a memoir.”

She set the proposed contract on his desk. He snatched it up and quickly skimmed four pages of text that would effectively hogtie Malone from ever profiting off the 1870 crime.

It was probably a trap. The Blackstones wouldn’t let Malone get away this easily.

He tossed the papers down on his desk. “I don’t trust it.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter what you think of our offer. You have a legal obligation to present it to your client, and if he takes the deal, you will be well compensated for your services.”

She left the office in a swirl of silk and the scent of rose water. His mouth went dry, and his heart sped up. Gwen Kellerman was temptation personified, and it had nothing to do with the money she dangled before him. It was the alluring and unsettling effect she had on him as a man, and that alarmed him more than anything.

4

Patrick needed to convey Mrs. Kellerman’s surprising offer to Mick Malone. The sale of the book would earn more in the long run, but Mick might take the quick payoff to avoid the legal hassles. Either way, Patrick wouldn’t take her bribe. He liked his integrity too much to sacrifice it for a little quick cash.