Hotshot defense attorney James Scott always follows his gut -- even when it tells him an obviously guilty man is a victim himself. Homicide detective Owen Duke doesn't have time for gut feelings -- he lives by logic and evidence. And all the evidence tells him that Scott's client is guilty of the cold-blooded murder of a young ballerina.<br><br>Scott, a notorious media darling, is willing to risk his reputation and his career on the kid's innocence. But his undeniable charm is not enough to save his client's life. He needs Owen Duke, a man who stands for truth and justice, even if the detective hates Scott and his gut feelings.<br><br>What's supposed to be an open-and-shut case quickly becomes a quagmire of lies, murder, and rotting corruption. Suddenly, instead of being a thorn in Duke's side, James Scott is the only person in San Francisco the detective can trust. As the attraction between them deepens, they race to save an innocent man, but can they save their own hearts in the process?

Pas de Deux

The only problem with any of that was the fact Horan wanted something of Tana’s, not the other way around. What could a young, no-name ballerina have that someone of Horan’s position could possibly want?


Duke wandered into Sam’s Diner without otherwise paying too much attention to his surroundings. Only one of the booths was occupied, and he slid onto a red vinyl bench seat in the rear of the narrow restaurant, facing the street. He ordered a coffee and pulled out his notepad. He had plenty of time to organize more of his ideas before Finch arrived. Perhaps writing them down would show them in a light he hadn’t yet considered.


Chapter 51