rather spread it to than you.”
“SO DID YOU and Mel find an apartment yet?” Jack asked the moment he walked into Diana’s office Tuesday morning.
His simple, conversational question was met with a noticeable pause from Diana. Most women he’d met were more than willing to share news about everyday events. Their biggest complaint was that men were too focused on themselves to ask about a woman’s concerns or listen to what she had to say.
But Diana seemed determined not to share much about herself.
Still, she’d let down her guard at lunch the day before. He’d heard the anger and sadness in her voice when she’d spoken of her client’s suicide. For a strong woman, she had a soft heart.
A head shake was all he got in answer to his question.
She handed him a folder. “That’s the copy of the sheriff’s report on Bruce’s death and the other stuff you asked for. Is your brother going to investigate Amy’s hit-and-run?”
There she was, right back to business. Definitely not the response he was used to getting from women. Did she not find him attractive, or was she too much of a professional to let on?
He told himself the answer wasn’t important. She was keeping their relationship businesslike and for that he was glad.
“I contacted Jared as we discussed,” Jack said in response to her question. “He’ll let us know if and when he finds anything. I also began the search into Bruce Weaton’s background. Now that I know where he went to school and who his friends were, I should be able to—”
“How did you find out those things so quickly?”
There was far more challenge than curiosity in her tone.
Jack repositioned himself on her exceptionally uncomfortable guest chair as he set the folder she’d given him on his lap.
“I have no problem indulging your curiosity, Diana. But your question comes across more like a cross-examination of my investigation techniques.”
“It was.”
Her candor came as a complete shock, which must have been apparent, because a small smile lifted her lips.
She had enjoyed surprising him. Maybe as much as he’d enjoyed surprising her.
“So, you want me to assume that you know how to do your job?” she asked.
She was testing him. “As I’m assuming you know how to do your job.”
That made her smirk. “But you won’t take exception to my asking questions purely out of curiosity?”
“I’m always happy to satisfy the curious.”
She inched forward on her chair. “Then strictly out of curiosity, how did you find out about Bruce’s schooling and friends so fast?”
“His obituary mentioned the schools he’d attended,” Jack volunteered easily because he was satisfied that she’d been honest about her motives. “A glimpse at the guest registry at the mortuary where his services were held last year told me who cared enough to show up.”
“Doesn’t that guest registry go to the family?”
“Smart mortuary personnel keep a copy, knowing that a family in mourning may misplace theirs.”
She rested against the back of her chair. “Seems so simple now that you’ve explained.”
“Everything seems simple once you have the answer. Knowing where and how to get the answer is what separates the professional from the amateur.”
An amused eyebrow lifted. “Was that another reminder that you are a professional and deserve to be treated as one?”
Jack smiled. “A very gentle reminder. I’m always careful not to inflict any unnecessary bruises.”
“As opposed to the necessary ones?” Her brief smile was good-natured.
So, she had a nice sense of humor lurking behind her formal façade. Getting past this woman’s defenses might not be easy. But Jack was becoming more certain by the minute that the effort would be worthwhile.
“Anything else you feel curious about this morning, Diana?”
Damn, he was flirting with her. He hadn’t meant to, but those last words had come out full of invitation. Unable to take them back, he carefully wiped the come-hither smile off his lips.
She studied him intently for a minute, then pushed a thick binder in his direction. “Before you get too involved in investigating Bruce’s background, I need some quick input on these.”
Not only had she not flirted back, she’d completely ignored his flirting. Relief vied with an odd disappointment.
Jack picked up the thick binder. “What are these?”
“The preliminary jury questionnaires. They list names, addresses, driver’s license numbers and other pertinent information as well as the answers to the basic questions of whether they’ve heard about the case or know any of the principals who are involved.”
Jack flipped through one of the questionnaires. One page listed the names of Bruce, his family members, Connie, witnesses to the alleged crime, as well as Staker and Diana. The next page cautioned each prospective juror not to discuss the case with anyone or allow themselves to be exposed to any news reports.
“What kind of input are you looking for?” he asked.
“I meet with Staker first thing tomorrow to try to agree upon an expanded questionnaire.”
“You have the jurors fill that out before you talk to them in the courtroom, right?”
She nodded. “Voir dire is the legal term for selecting a jury from the prospective panel. It begins the first day of the trial. Last week, I argued that a more detailed questionnaire filled out in advance would save time. Judge Gimbrere not only agreed to one, he’s planning to include a cover letter asking the prospective jurors to be honest and assuring them that their responses will be kept confidential.”
“So Staker didn’t fight you on this.”
She shook her head. “He wants time to digest the information as much as I do.”
“How can I help?”
“If there are questions you want me to ask that will assist with your investigation, I need to know by the end of today.”
As attractive and exciting as Diana was proving to be, Jack was thankful that he wasn’t planning on pursuing a personal relationship with her. She wasn’t even giving him time to complete their business one.
He closed the binder on his lap. “What kinds of questions can we ask a prospective juror?”
“Personal background stuff and whatever else could have a bearing on the specific case for which they are being considered.”
“So,
