To Have Vs. To Hold Read online

  Table of Contents

  Cover Page

  Praise

  Dear Reader

  Title Page

  Dedication

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  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

  Copyright

  Praise for previous

  Justice Inc. books

  Heart Vs. Humbug

  “Leave it to M.J. Rodgers to give readers the gift of incomparable storytelling, and add sparkling, witty dialogue to the mix.”

  —Debbie Richardson Romantic Times

  “Weaving many levels and sub-plots together, MJ. Rodgers gets better and better. Her books never disappoint.”

  —Gothic Joumal

  Baby Vs. the Bar

  “The talented M.J. Rodgers sparkles once again with a wonderful array of characters and thoroughly innovative storytelling.”

  —Debbie Richardson Romantic Times

  “Baby Vs. the Bar is a rewarding experience all around.”

  —Gothic Journal

  Beauty Vs. the Beast

  “Fans of legal thrillers will not want to miss Beauty Vs. the Beast for its dynamic portrayal of its heroine, its intense courtroom scenes, and its introduction to the promising Justice Inc. cast.”

  —Gothic Journal

  “One of romantic intrigue’s best, M.J. Rodgers pens another keeper.

  —Debbie Richardson Romantic Times

  “Take my word for it, this one will keep your pulse pounding.”

  —Rendezvous

  Dear Reader,

  Open the gilded doors and step into the world of M.J. Rodgers’s JUSTICE INC. A world where principle courts passion. In this Seattle law firm, legal eagles battle headline-stealing cases…and find heart-stealing romance in the bargain.

  M.J. Rodgers has become synonymous with the best in romantic mystery. Having written her very first book for Intrigue seven years ago, she has gone on to become one of the bestselling and most popular Intrigue authors. Her books are perennial Reviewer’s Choice Award winners, and last year she received the Career Achievement Award for Romantic Mystery from Romantic Times.

  So turn the page and enter the world of JUSTICE INC.

  Regards,

  Debra Matteucci

  Senior Editor and Editorial Coordinator

  Harlequin Books

  300 East 42nd Street, Sixth Floor

  New York, NY 10017

  M.J. Rodgers

  TO HAVE VS. TO HOLD

  This story is for the best editor in the business, Bonnie Crisalli.

  If I tried to list all those wonderful qualities that make Bonnie

  special, I’d need another book. So let me just say here that

  she possesses that rare combination of professional

  excellence, boundless energy, unmatched dedication,

  sweet disposition, ceaseless support and an infectious

  enthusiasm for which every writer prays.

  Thank heavens this writer’s prayers were answered.

  CAST OF CHARACTERS

  Adam Justice—He married a mystery lady, who has left him a haunting legal legacy.

  Whitney West—She’s been holding on to a secret will for seven years…one that leads her to Adam West.

  Patrice Feldon—She went by many names. But which one was really hers? Peter Danner—He was the secret lover. But his secret is out now.

  Stanford Carver—He says he knows the truth. But can he be trusted?

  red Dykstra—He’s the courthouse reporter who’s determined to dig up the dirt.

  Doctors Jacob and Esther Rubin—They know secrets that must never be told.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  To Have Vs. To Hold is the fifth book in the JUSTICE INC. courtroom series by bestselling author M.J. Rodgers. In the months to come she will continue to bring you the stories of these dedicated attorneys, known as Seattle’s legal sleuths.

  M.J. is the winner of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Mystery, twice winner of their Best Intrigue Award, and is also winner of B. Dalton Bookseller’s top-selling Intrigue award. She lives with her family in Seabeck, Washington.

  Books by M.J. Rodgers

  HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

  102—FOR LOVE OR MONEY

  128—A TASTE OF DEATH

  140—BLOODSTONE

  157—DEAD RINGER

  176—BONES OF CONTENTION

  185—RISKY BUSINESS

  202—ALL THE EVIDENCE

  214—TO DIE FOR

  254—SANTA CLAUS IS COMING

  271—ON THE SCENT

  290—WHO IS JANE WILLIAMS?

  335—BEAUTY VS. THE BEAST

  342—BABY VS. THE BAR*

  350—HEART VS. HUMBUG*

  375—LOVE VS. ILLUSION*

  HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

  492—FIRE MAGIC

  520—THE ADVENTURESS

  563—THE GIFT-WRAPPED GROOM

  *JUSTICE INC.

  Don’t miss any of our special offers. Write to us at the following address for information on our newest releases.

  Harlequin Reader Service

  U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269

  Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

  Chapter One

  “You Adam Justice?” the gray-faced man with the suspicious look and sour tone asked.

  Adam knew this disagreeable man had to be a plainclothes policeman. The only other people in suits who rang doorbells on a Sunday were proselytizers, and they tried to look and sound pleasant when they came calling.

  “Yes, I’m Justice.”

  The man eyed Adam steadily as he slid a hand inside the jacket of his gray summer suit and pulled out his badge for a quick, perfunctory flash.

  “Detective-Sergeant Ryson. King County Sheriff’s office.”

  Ryson jabbed a thumb over his shoulder toward his companion. The hefty, red-nosed man standing behind him flashed his identification after sneezing into a handkerchief.

  “Detective Ferkel,” he managed to say. His voice was unexpectedly high for someone with his hefty bulk. His eyes watered. “I’m not contagious, just allergic.”

  Adam stepped back. “Come in.”

  As the two men passed into his entry hall, Adam mentally reviewed his law firm’s cases. He wasn’t representing any clients charged with criminal acts. Several Justice Inc. associates did have court-assigned criminal defenses. However, Adam was confident these policemen would be knocking on one of his associates’ doors if this matter involved one of their defendants. So it had to be one of his.

  Litigants in civil suits were known to let their emotions get the better of them. He was curious to find out which one of his clients had lost it seriously enough to occasion this visit.

  Adam led the way into the kitchen, set two extra mugs on the white tile counter and automatically filled them. He’d never known a member of law enforcement to turn down a cup of coffee.

  Ryson left his coffee black. Ferkel immediately dumped half the contents of the sugar bowl into his mug and then filled it to the brim with cream. His sneezes seemed to have subsided for the moment. He tucked his well-used handkerchief into the inside coat pocket of his well-creased suit.

  The two detectives drew bar stools up to the center
island and picked up their mugs. Adam sat on the other side of the island facing them.

  For a full minute Ryson and Ferkel said nothing, just gulped coffee and glanced around at the neat black-and-white kitchen—Ryson with almost a sneer bearing down on his lips, Ferkel slurping his coffee while wearing an innocuous expression on his fleshy face.

  Adam wondered whether the large detective’s glowing red nose was seasonal or if the allergy was a permanent condition. If it was a year-round affliction, Rudolph was going to have competition for the front of the sleigh this Christmas.

  “This is a nice cluster of homes,” Ferkel said. He smiled at Adam pleasantly. “Well patrolled. Guard at the gate checked our badges before letting us in. That’s good security.”

  “For which they no doubt soak you suckers every month in ridiculous maintenance fees,” Ryson added in his disagreeable tone. “You wouldn’t catch me in one of these money pits.”

  Adam sat back, took a sip of his coffee and began to wonder about these two. It was unusual for detectives to waste time with small talk—unless they were doing it deliberately to make a suspect uncomfortable, of course.

  Were these two detectives just prolonging their business to give themselves a chance to enjoy the air-conditioning after the uncomfortable heat outside? Seattle was normally blessed with beautifully cool summers, but this past week had set some record-high temperatures.

  When another long minute of silence ensued, Adam knew it was time to press the matter. These detectives might not have a full day ahead, but he certainly did.

  “How may I help you?” he asked.

  Ryson took one last gulp of his coffee and set his empty mug on the counter. His cadaverous cheeks and unpleasant facial expression lent a natural somberness to his demeanor. But there was a new intensity in his dark eyes, which warned Adam that whatever this man was about to say wasn’t going to be good.

  “We found your wife’s body.”

  Adam had been anticipating something unpleasant. But these words had been hurled at him from out of nowhere, like a sucker punch to the stomach.

  For an instant Patrice’s incredibly lovely face emerged soft and glowing before his mind’s eye. Then her image vanished, and all that remained was the stunning aftershock of the words, covering him like the August sun streaming down from the kitchen skylight.

  For years he had imagined receiving such news. He thought he would be ready. He was not.

  “Mr. Justice, did you hear what I said?” Ryson asked.

  Adam’s hands circled his coffee mug, feeling its warmth in sharp contrast to the cold that now swirled inside him. His voice sounded strange and detached, even to his own ears.

  “Yes.”

  “She’s been dead a long time,” Ferkel said after Adam offered nothing else. “From what we can tell so far, she and her companion were the victims of a fatal automobile crash.”

  Adam said nothing, just stared into his coffee cup.

  “It occurred in a remote area,” Ryson said. Adam could feel the man’s eyes scouring his face as he supplied the rest of the details.

  “The car went off a mountain road and landed in a deep ravine. Some hikers came across the wreckage last Friday. A newspaper found behind the seat shows the date of July 22, seven years ago. That’s when we figure it happened.”

  Adam took a deep breath and concentrated on keeping his tone even. “Was it…quick?”

  “The front of the car was totally demolished on impact,” Ferkel said. “I doubt they knew what hit them.”

  Adam continued to stare into the blackness of his coffee. But what he was seeing was a midnight blue Porsche speeding off the edge of a mountain road and then falling. And falling. Forever falling.

  “Since you obviously haven’t heard from your wife in seven years, I’m curious why you didn’t report her missing,” Ryson said, his harsh voice interrupting Adam’s disturbing mental images.

  Adam looked up at the detective sergeant. The unpleasant expression on his face perfectly matched the suspicious light beading in his eyes.

  Adam now understood why a detective sergeant had been sent to deliver this news to him. He also understood why Ferkel was pleasant and Ryson antagonistic—and why they had taken their time in coming to the point.

  They didn’t think Patrice’s death was an accident. They suspected him.

  Since the moment they rang his doorbell, they had been playing their roles. Good cop, bad cop.

  “Mr. Justice, I asked you a question,” Ryson pressed.

  Adam kept his voice perfectly even, perfectly controlled. “My wife wasn’t missing. She left me.”

  Ryson was trying to look surprised. He was failing. Adam was well aware the policeman already had the answers to the questions he was about to ask.

  “She left you?” he challenged. “Why did your wife leave you?”

  Even after seven years the words didn’t come easily.

  “She told me she was going away with someone else.”

  A long moment of silence passed. Throughout it Ryson’s eyes stayed aimed at Adam like two black bullets. “Who?”

  “My sister’s fiancé, Peter Danner.”

  “Now, that’s what I call a shot below the belt,” Ferkel said, obviously trying to sound understanding. Adam knew his concern wasn’t genuine, of course. The hefty detective was just playing his role of the good cop, trying to give Adam the impression that he was his buddy and would be on Adam’s side, no matter what he had done.

  Ryson’s disagreeable demeanor typecast him perfectly for his bad-cop role.

  “Where did they go?” he demanded.

  “Canada.”

  “You didn’t try to stop her?”

  “She had already left when I came home and found her note on the kitchen counter.”

  “She left you a note on this kitchen counter?” Ryson asked, pointing at the top of the island as though it had been tainted.

  “I’ve had the tile changed since,” Adam said, straight-faced.

  “Where is her note, Mr. Justice?” Ferkel asked.

  Adam leaned slightly toward the hefty policeman and lowered his voice, just as he did when asking a witness on the stand a personal question that begged the obvious answer.

  “Would you have kept such a note?”

  Ferkel responded with a quick shake of his head, just as Adam’s witnesses usually did. Adam leaned back on his bar stool.

  “Exactly what did this kiss-off note say?” Ryson’s grating voice demanded.

  Adam willed the words to come out calmly. “That she was going to Canada with Peter Danner. Nothing more, Sergeant.”

  “And this Peter Danner was your sister’s fiancé?” he repeated, as though he hadn’t heard the first time.

  “Yes.”

  “And that was that?” Ryson said. “You just let this Peter Danner steal your wife from you?”

  Ryson’s combative tone sounded like what a drunk would use if he were itching for a barroom brawl. Adam understood Ryson was trying to goad him into a reaction. What Ryson didn’t understand was that Adam was not a man who could be goaded into a brawl—physical or otherwise.

  “Patrice made her choice, Sergeant.”

  “You’re telling me you didn’t try to stop her from running away with this guy?”

  Adam coolly returned Ryson’s stare, leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice once again. “Are you one of those men who believes forcibly dragging a woman back is the way to get her to change her mind?”

  Ryson’s forehead furrowed in immediate irritation. His voice grated even more than usual. “Come on, Justice. You must have suspected something was going on between them long before you found her kiss-off note. Only a fool wouldn’t know his wife was making it with another guy.”

  It was another deliberately provoking comment. Adam once again refused to be bullied. He said nothing, just continued to eye Ryson calmly.

  Tension filled the long moment that passed between the two men.

  “D
id you ever hear from her again?” Ferkel finally asked.

  “No.”

  “You never wondered where she was?”

  “No.”

  “Not in seven years?”

  “No.”

  “So why haven’t you asked me who it was who died with your wife?” Ryson challenged.

  “I know it was Peter Danner.”

  A very smug look descended on Ryson’s face. “How do you know?”

  “The day my wife left me was July 22, seven years ago, the same date on the newspaper you found in the back seat of the wrecked car. It’s only logical she would have been traveling with Peter Danner on that day.”

  Ryson’s smug look collapsed into one of annoyance.

  “How did your sister feel when her fiance ran off with your wife?”

  “You’ll have to ask her,” Adam said.

  “You don’t know?” Ryson pressed.

  “No one can ever really know how someone else feels,” Adam said simply.

  “Why didn’t you file for divorce?” Ryson demanded.

  Adam inhaled deeply, then slowly and quietly let the air out of his lungs. “I never gave it any thought.”

  Ryson’s face wore a look as openly sarcastic as his accompanying tone. “You, a lawyer, never gave it any thought? Ferkel, did you hear that? His wife could have returned and claimed half of all the money he’d earned while she was shacking up with this Danner guy, and he never once thought of divorcing her!”

  Ryson’s punctuating bark of a laugh crossed way over the line into insult territory.

  Adam wondered if Ryson knew how transparent he was being with these taunts.

  “Aw, give the guy a break,” Ferkel said in his best good-cop tone. “Maybe he still loved her. Maybe he hoped she’d come back to him.”

  Ferkel’s “sympathetic” statement and inquisitive look in Adam’s direction clearly invited a response. Adam made no comment.