Read Online An Appointment With Murder by Jennifer L. Jennings;John Simon - Free Book Online Page B

my heart that moved up into my throat and blocked the words that never came out. I just waved as he opened the door and stepped outside.
    * * *
    When my last client had left, I walked into the bathroom to wash my hands. I found myself settling back into the warm, familiar feeling of my old life. There was comfort to be found in the mundane details of day-to-day life. I had dried my hands on the towel and was making my way out to the reception area when I noticed someone sitting in the adjacent waiting room. Peeking around the corner, I saw that it was Detective Flynn. He must have sensed me standing there, and stood up.
    “Good afternoon, Sarah. Is this a bad time?” he asked, looking around to see if I was alone.
    “I’m done working. What’s up?”
    “I’ve got some information about Lindy.” He withdrew his notebook from his bag and motioned for me to sit.
    “Lindy Brightman,” he said, taking a seat opposite me and clearing his throat. “Jacob had a restraining order issued against her over a year ago.”
    “A restraining order?”
    “It was around the same time he started seeing Beth.”
    “Why?”
    “According to the report, she’d been stalking him. Showed up at his work a few times and made a hell of a scene. He filed the restraining order last September, but never renewed it.”
    “And yet he’s defending her now. Why?”
    “That’s the question I’ll be asking him when he comes back to the station later today.”
    “So where is Lindy? Aren’t you going to question her, too?”
    “Ah. Yes. We’ve been trying to locate her. She’s on vacation.”
    “How convenient. This makes her look guiltier than ever,” I said, realizing that I was wringing my hands.
    “We’ll see if Jacob changes his story. But like I told you before, their alibi checks out. According to the bartender at Barney’s, Jacob and Lindy were there together until ten that night.” He returned his notebook to his bag, stood, and walked towards the door. “We went through her phone records,” he added, turning back. “Nothing suspicious. If Lindy did hire someone to kill Beth, she covered her tracks well.”
    “What about evidence from the crime scene?” I asked, getting up and crossing the room. “Did you find any fingerprints or hair fibers?”
    “The prints we lifted were all from your clients and employees. We’re not closing the case by any means; we just have to wait for something to come to light.”
    “I see,” I said, extending my hand.
    “Thanks for your time, Sarah.” He shook it and walked out.
    Minutes later, as I was getting ready to leave, Gabby walked in.
    “I’m so glad to see you back in action,” she said. “How’d work go today?”
    “Fine. Although I was pretty hung over this morning.”
    “What’d you do last night?”
    “Max came over for dinner. We shared two bottles of wine,” I offered, matter-of-factly.
    “Two bottles? I’m surprised you were able to function today. Anything interesting happen?”
    “No. Brian was there. Max slept on the couch and left this morning after coffee.”
    “Sounds like you have a crush,” Gabby said, squeezing my cheek like a child’s and shaking her head.
    “Yeah, right. He’s ten years younger than me. Like he would even find me attractive. Give me a break, Gabby.” I swatted her hand away playfully.
    “What difference does that make? You’re a sexy, experienced, older woman. Younger guys love that shit,” Gabby said, and I started to laugh.
    “Okay, but there is one minor detail you’re forgetting. I’m married,” I said a little louder than necessary.
    “And younger guys love that shit even more.
    * * *
    When gabby left to prepare for her first client, I sat at Beth’s desk reflecting on the conversation with Detective Flynn. He didn’t seem particularly interested in Lindy, or Jacob, for that matter. I rummaged around looking for the application Beth had filled out when she’d applied for the receptionist job. I found her