Straight from the Heart Read online

  “Cut the crap, Blair. I know why you’re here.”

  She shook her head in frustration; this was not going the way she’d planned. “Lucas—”

  “I’ll make this simple for you,” he said, not concealing his anger. “If you’re here to ask for my help, the answer is no.”

  “That’s unfair,” she cried. “You haven’t even heard what I have to say.”

  “I’m not interested.”

  “My brother’s innocent. He didn’t murder that girl.”

  “Sounds like the D.A. has an airtight case.”

  “I know you can poke holes in everything he has.”

  Lucas’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? So you need a cutthroat attorney? That’s what you called me, isn’t it? A cutthroat attorney putting criminals back on the streets for big bucks and personal gain.”

  Her cheeks grew hotter and she gripped her hands together. “Yes, I said that,” she admitted. “And at the time I meant it. I had my reasons for feeling that way….”

  Blair realized her hopes were dwindling fast. “Blake and I are twins,” she said. “We’re closer than most siblings.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “I can’t let him be convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Please help me.”

  Dear Reader,

  I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your many letters and e-mail messages concerning The Truth About Jane Doe and Deep in the Heart of Texas. I’m so pleased you enjoyed the books.

  Straight from the Heart is a story about Lucas Culver, Jacob’s brother in Deep in the Heart of Texas (published in August 2000). He was a strong character in that book and my editor and I felt he would make a great hero. So my job began: finding the perfect woman for Lucas.

  Lucas is an outgoing, well-liked defense attorney who truly believes that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I had to find a woman who was his complete opposite so I’d have something to write about! The heroine is Blair Logan, a courageous, straitlaced assistant district attorney; she’s dedicated her life to putting criminals behind bars. How these two people come together in a quest for love and truth—that’s what this book is about. I hope it will keep you turning the pages.

  From my heart to yours, I give you Lucas and Blair’s story. Enjoy.

  Sincerely,

  Linda Warren

  Thanks again for the many letters. I love hearing from you. I can be reached at P.O. Box 5182, Bryan TX 77805 or you can e-mail me at [email protected].

  Straight from the Heart

  Linda Warren

  I dedicate this book to my parents.

  When I think of my dad, I remember his big heart,

  his wonderful sense of humor and his belief that I could do

  anything. He’s the reason I had enough courage to try my

  hand at writing. Ever since I can remember, I have loved to

  read. Whenever my dad saw me reading, he’d say,

  “Girl, you always got your head in a book.” One day,

  just to get my attention, he added, “You should be reading

  those encyclopedias I spent so much money on, then

  you’d be learning something.” After that, when he saw me

  reading, I’d say before he could, “No, Daddy, I haven’t

  read those encyclopedias yet.” It became a standing joke

  between us. Then one day, out of the blue, he said,

  “Girl, you’ve read so many books, why don’t you

  write one?” That’s how the dream began.

  Sadly, before my dream could become a reality, my dad

  passed away. But when a senior editor at Harlequin called

  to say she wanted to buy my first book, I could almost hear

  his voice. And I said, before he could, “No, Daddy, I

  haven’t read those encyclopedias yet, but I’ve learned

  something. Hard work pays off. Just like you taught me.”

  So I dedicate this book to my father, James Siegert.

  And to my mother, Mary Siegert. When I think of my

  mother, words fail me. She was the center of our family,

  always there for her children, and since I was the only girl,

  we had a close relationship. When Alzheimer’s took her

  mind, it was the biggest heartbreak of my life.

  She passed away while I was writing this book.

  She is at peace now and she is with my dad and

  she remembers. Momma, I love you—always.

  And to the other mother in my life, my mother-in-law,

  Faye White, who breaks the stereotypes about

  mothers-in-law. Thanks for the love and support.

  And a special thanks to Gil Schultz, the investigator, and

  Laurie Siegert, my lawyer niece, who answered all my

  questions with patience and understanding.

  Any errors you find are definitely mine.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  BLAIR LOGAN HELD her breath as the jurors filed into the jury box. She studied their faces, trying to gauge their state of mind. Their solemn expressions told her nothing. Look at me, she begged. Let me know you’re on my side. But the jurors’ attention was focused on the judge. That wasn’t bad and it wasn’t good. She folded her hands in her lap and waited.

  “Madam Foreperson, have you reached a unanimous verdict?” the judge’s voice rang out.

  The foreperson stood. “Yes, we have, Your Honor,” she answered and handed a piece of paper to the bailiff. The bailiff took it to the judge, who read it quickly and handed it back.

  “Will the defendant please rise,” the judge said.

  Hector Raye, along with his attorney, Lucas Culver, got to their feet.

  “What is your verdict, Madam Foreperson?” the judge asked.

  “On the count of the indictment—murder in the first degree. We find the defendant guilty.”

  Yes, yes, yes, ran jubilantly through Blair’s mind, but nothing showed on her face. She didn’t even blink at the rumble of noise and voices behind her. She was good at hiding her emotions.

  “Quiet,” the judge ordered and banged his gavel. “So be it. Sentencing will be in two weeks. The jury is dismissed.” The gavel banged again.

  Blair got to her feet and put papers into her briefcase with methodical movements. Outwardly she was cool and reserved, as always. Inside she was ecstatic. She had finally beaten Lucas Culver. She was determined that he wouldn’t beat her again. She felt like jumping up on the table and doing a dance of victory, but she would celebrate later.

  As the guards came to escort Hector back to his cell, he suddenly jerked free and began to fight them. It didn’t take the guards long to restrain him.

  “I’ll get you, bitch,” he screamed at Blair. “I’ll get you.”

  Blair’s jubilance vanished in a wave of nausea and she had to take several deep breaths. She knew she had to get out of the courtroom and fast.

  Lucas was taken aback at Hector’s outburst. He did his best to believe in his innocence, but he’d never liked the boy. He’d taken over the case from a colleague who had become ill. It was a bad
situation, but he didn’t regret his decision to help Jim Tenney. The case was known as an open and shut, and there was very little he could do to throw doubt on Hector’s guilt. The loss didn’t sit too well with him, though. But in light of Hector’s behavior, he was thinking that maybe it wasn’t a bad verdict.

  He’d looked at Blair during the disturbance, and her creamy white skin had paled. Of course, it was hard to tell with Blair, since she always wore that cool facade, but he knew Hector had gotten to her.

  He picked up his briefcase and turned at the same time as Blair. They came face-to-face. She had dark hair, almost black, pulled back in a knot at the nape of her neck, giving her a stern, businesslike appearance, but he was mesmerized by her eyes. They were the most gorgeous blue he’d ever seen, clear and bright like a summer sky, and they seemed to look right through him. She had made it very plain on more than one occasion that he was not on her list of favorite people.

  “Congratulations, Counselor,” he said, his lips curving into a slight smile.

  “That’s one criminal you won’t be putting back on the street,” she replied sharply, unmoved by his smile.

  Lucas sighed. “Why do you always feel that it’s my goal to put criminals back on the street?”

  “Because it’s what you do—represent vermin.”

  “Have you forgotten that everyone’s entitled to a fair trial—even people like Hector Raye?”

  “You live with your ethics and I’ll live with mine.” With that, she whirled around and headed for the door.

  Someone was going to shake Blair Logan one of these days, and it just might be him, Lucas decided.

  Blair was receiving congratulations from her assistants when Lucas emerged from the courtroom. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him hugging a blond woman. Jennifer Walker, Judge Barrett’s clerk. Lucas must be dating her, Blair thought idly. She’d heard the rumors about Lucas. He changed women the way most men changed their shirts. And the women didn’t seem to mind. Lucas was known for the affable breakups and lasting friendships with his lady friends. Well, they were welcome to him. His dark good looks and charming smile did nothing for her.

  Why did he make her so angry? Because he’s an arrogant man, she told herself. And arrogant men seemed to have that effect on her.

  All thought of Lucas left her as she spotted her brother, Blake, standing to one side. Being twins, they had the same dark hair and blue eyes, but they were different in so many other ways. Blake had been the wild one, always in trouble. She’d been the quiet, studious one, always striving for excellence.

  She walked over to Blake and he smiled at her with an impish grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Something was obviously bothering him, but she had no idea what.

  “Hi.” She smiled, and stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Blake was six feet tall and she was only five foot four. “What are you doing here?”

  Blake lived in London and he was home for a brief visit. She hadn’t expected him in the courtroom today; she assumed he’d be spending time with their parents.

  He grinned again and rocked back on his heels. “I just came to watch my baby sister in the courtroom.” Having lived in London on and off for sixteen years, his voice now had an attractive English intonation that still surprised her whenever she heard it.

  Adjusting her purse strap, she said, “We’re the same age, Blake. We’re both thirty-two.”

  “But I’m three minutes older.”

  “Big deal.”

  “It is,” he said. “I’m older and male and…” His voice trailed off, and she knew exactly what was on his mind.

  “Blake—”

  He interrupted her. “When they told Dad he had a son, he probably thought all his prayers had been answered. Little did he know I’d be nothing like him.”

  Growing up as Sam Logan’s son hadn’t been easy for Blake. In fact, it had almost been a nightmare, with Blake rebelling every chance he got. In his teens, he was uncontrollable, and their parents sent him away to boarding school in England, hoping a change of environment would help him. It was the first time Blair and Blake had been separated, but the miles hadn’t diminished the bond between them.

  They’d always been close, but Blair was the stronger one, protecting and shielding her brother from their father’s wrath whenever Blake did something stupid. That happened plenty of times. Blake seemed bent on a course to upset their father and Blair was generally caught in the middle. For someone she considered mild and loving, Blake sometimes had an obstinate side she didn’t understand.

  Blair glanced at him now. “I thought you’d gotten over all that.”

  He shrugged offhandedly. “I have, but seeing you in the courtroom today, I couldn’t help thinking how proud Dad must be of you and how disappointed he must be in me.”

  “Oh, Blake, I—”

  “Evan wants to see you.” The district attorney’s secretary came up to her, cutting her off in midsentence.

  “Tell him I’m on my way,” Blair answered, knowing Evan wanted to talk about the trial. For once, it was good news.

  Blair quickly kissed Blake’s cheek again. “I’ve got to run. We’ll talk tonight after dinner.”

  As she hurried down the corridor to the underground tunnels that connected many of Houston’s downtown buildings, Blair thought about Blake and wished he’d come home to the States to live. Maybe that would mend the rift between father and son, but she knew it was only wishful thinking. Since Blake’s rebellious youth and his decision not to go to law school, things hadn’t been the same in their family, and she didn’t think they ever would be again.

  Blake worked as a journalist, but he spent a lot of his time at a school for delinquent youths in London, helping and teaching troubled teenagers. It wasn’t the future Sam wanted for Blake, but Blake was good with kids and he seemed determined to steer them away from drugs, drinking and rebellion. Blair decided not to think about her father’s reaction. She’d concentrate on spending quality time together as a family.

  It was a short walk from the criminal-courts building to the district attorney’s office, a walk that gave her a chance to clear her head. She tapped on the district attorney’s door and entered when she heard Evan’s “Come in.” Evan Holt was of medium height and almost completely bald. He stood in the middle of his domain with a golf club in his hands. He was an avid golfer and had a small putting green in his office. He studied the ball in front of him, then glanced at the cup some distance away.

  “I’ll be right with you, Blair,” he said, and swung the club. When the ball rolled in, he turned to Blair with a triumphant smile. “Well, you did it. You beat Culver.”

  “Yes,” she answered. Evan was reputed to know everything that went on in the courthouse…sometimes even before it happened.

  Evan moved around his desk and sat down. “You did a great job. Though I must say, clients like Raye aren’t usually Culver’s style. When Jim Tenney was handling the case, I figured we’d be able to put ol’ Hector away for a long time, but when Culver took over, I was worried he’d use some of his theatrics to get Raye off.” Evan picked up a pencil. “Never understood why Culver took the case at all.”

  “I heard that Tenney’s an old friend, and when he had to have emergency heart surgery, Lucas stepped in to help him out.” Blair repeated the rumors, although she was reluctant to give the man that much credit.

  Evan rested back in his chair. “You don’t like Culver, do you?”

  Blair shrugged in a nonchalant manner. “I don’t know much about him. All I know is I don’t care for lawyers like him.”

  “Your father’s a lawyer like him.”

  Blair’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at, Evan?” She knew he had something else on his mind besides the Raye trial. She’d worked for Evan for six years and she was well acquainted with his tactics. He’d skirt an issue before getting to the point.

  Evan leaned forward. “I was thinking about the Easton case and your father’s involvement.”
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  There was not a flicker of emotion or movement on Blair’s face, even though the name Easton sent chills down her spine. She stared Evan straight in the eye. “My father was his attorney, that’s all.”

  Her father was a well-known defense attorney in Houston, in Texas and beyond. As his daughter, she was expected to follow in his footsteps—as was Blake. After Blake’s defection, as her father called it, Sam Logan focused all his efforts on his daughter. He wanted her to work for his firm, but she couldn’t because she and her father had different points of view on the law. He defended criminals and it was her goal to keep them behind bars.

  This caused more than a few arguments—with Sam insisting that her perspective was oversimplified. She knew her judgment and reasoning was colored by the past, but that didn’t make her wrong. It only made her more strong-minded, more—

  “I heard there was a disturbance in the courtroom.” Evan’s words broke in.

  “Yes.” Blair forced her thoughts back to the present. “Raye wasn’t pleased with the verdict.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.” She looked at him with guarded eyes. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “You don’t have to be so tough, Blair. I’m well aware of what happened to you.”

  “It was a long time ago, and like you said, I’m tough. I can deal with it.”

  “Blair…”

  She stopped him. “If that’s all, I’ve got a mound of paperwork waiting for me.”

  Evan watched her for a moment, then said, “No, that’s not all. I brought Todd Easton up for a reason.”

  God, she knew that. Evan never did anything without a reason. She waited, wishing that name didn’t make her feel so afraid.

  “I wanted to inform you of something that’s about to break,” he said slowly. “Bonnie Davis’s family has hired a detective to find the second boy involved in her rape and murder, through new DNA testing. We’re hoping to make an arrest.”