Nobody Does It Better

Chapter Two

Phoebe Njuguna, whose sister had just been brutally murdered, responded to Lucas Mutuma's masculine charm the way most other women did---she practically melted into a puddle. Good grief! June hated it. Yes, he was good looking, masculine to the nth degree, dressed like he came straight out of a magazine, drove a fancy car, and was reportedly a multimillionaire. Those qualities alone would be enough to make the average woman swoon. But if there was one thing June Mbogo had never been, it was average. Her IQ wasn't average, and neither was her taste in men.

From the time she entered adolescence at the age of thirteen, she'd had to deal with the opposite sex. Snide remarks about her looks. Jokes about her size. She'd been a late bloomer. Envy because, despite all that, she was the smartest kid in her class---even smarter than the smartest boy.

Most men didn't like highly intelligent women who graduated from university at the top of their class and were opinionated and outspoken.

'Ms Njuguna, why don't you have something to eat? I'm sure you haven't eaten anything in a while,' Lucas said.

June had been trying to convince Phoebe Njuguna that she needed to eat, but the woman had refused.

'No, I can't eat.' With June, Phoebe had been adamant.

When Phoebe didn't respond to Lucas's suggestion, only stared up at him through a mist of tears, he reached down, grasped her hand tenderly and said, 'It was truly a brave what you did for your sister. Going out to look for her. Your sister would be so grateful but she still needs your help now more than ever. You have to stay strong so you can help find out who did this to her. You have to eat and rest to keep up your strength. For Penninah's sake, you have to take care of yourself.'

Gag me with a spoon, June thought. Lucas was as smooth as silk. A real silver tongued devil.

It was obvious by the tentative smile on Phoebe's face that Lucas's charisma had affected her. What would be the point in warning her about Lucas?

'I don't want to disturb Jane. She's been affected by this just as much as I. She's been Penny and I's help since I was twelve.' Phoebe sighed heavily.

Lucas squeezed her hand. 'That's alright.' He glanced at June. 'I'm sure Detective June here can prepare you something from the kitchen.'

Gritting her teeth, June managed a fake smile as she nodded in agreement. 'I'll brew some coffee.' She gave Lucas a blistering glare. He just couldn't help himself, could he? To him, taking charge came as naturally as breathing. In the past, the DCI cautioned family members about cooperating with any private agency, including Lucas's, but legally, the Directorate's hands were tied.

'Is there anything in particular you want to eat?' Lucas asked.

'Anything will be fine,' Phoebe replied.

June was able to quickly make a snack and brew a cup of coffee from the kitchen, with a little help from Jane. No way she was leaving Penninah Njuguna's sister alone with him for too long. Legally, she could not prevent him from talking to Phoebe or offering her his big broad shoulders to lean on; the best she could do was keep a close watch on the woman.

When she reentered the room, she placed the tray laden with a cup of coffee and several sandwiches, on the table in front of Phoebe Njuguna.

Phoebe eyed the plate of food, then glanced over at Lucas. 'It looks delicious. Thank you.'

'Just eat what you can,' he told her, sympathy and understanding in his voice.

June threw him a glare. Their gazes met for half a second, a confrontational exchange. Hostility simmered just below the surface, a reality neither of them could deny. June suspected that Lucas disliked her as much as she did him, both professionally and personally.