Read Online Chicken Caccia-Killer (A Jordan McAllister Mystery) by Liz Lipperman - Free Book Online Page A

slammed in the face with a volleyball and had two shiners.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Come on. You’re going to have to explain this all over again to Jeff, so we might as well wait to hear the rest of the story.”
    Her head shot up. “There is no rest of the story. When I saw his body, I screamed and ran out of the bedroom. That’s when you and everyone else came running up the stairs.”
    Just then Natalie pushed through the door with Ray right behind her and moved immediately to her daughter’s side. Being in her mother’s arms brought a new rush of tears. Natalie glanced up at Alex for some kind of signal that everything was okay. Unable to give her the reassurance she needed, he tried to smile.
    “Are they through questioning her?” Ray asked.
    “For tonight,” Alex said. “They took samples from under her fingernails, and she has to go downtown with her lawyer tomorrow morning and give an official statement.”
    “Her lawyer?” Both Natalie and Ray asked in unison.
    “Emilio sent his own personal lawyer to make sure Kate didn’t say anything that might hurt her.”
    “Is that the guy we met earlier with the high-dollar suit?” Ray asked.
    Alex shrugged. “You could be describing half the people at the party, but yes, he was the one Emilio introduced us to right before all the drama started.”
    “Thank God for Emilio,” Natalie said. “He always did know what to do.”
    Jordan heard Alex grunt beside her. “We do owe him a debt of gratitude. Jeff Hamilton made sure Kate didn’t incriminate herself during the questioning. He did all the talking for her.”
    “So why did he allow them to get finger swabs without a warrant?” Ray asked.
    “He didn’t. Marco has scratches on his face, and they had probable cause, but Jeff insisted they get a warrant. That’s what took so long.”
    Natalie was unable to stop herself in time and groaned. Without taking her arms from around her daughter, she asked, “And will this be a problem, Kate?”
    “It could be,” Alex answered for her. “But Kate’s story should hold up tomorrow even with the swabs.” He glanced at his watch. “We need to get down to Hamilton’s room to prepare her for tomorrow’s interrogation. Ray, can you make sure my mother gets home okay?”
    “I won’t stay in that house by myself,” Natalie argued. “I want to go with you two.”
    “That’s not a good idea, Mom. Some of the things Jeff will ask could be hard for you to hear. Plus, Kate might be reluctant to tell the whole truth with you in the room. You’ll be okay by yourself for a few hours until—”
    “I’ll stay with you until Alex and Kate return,” Jordan offered. “Tomorrow’s Sunday, and I have nothing planned.”
    Natalie opened her mouth to argue then simply nodded. Alex stole a glance Jordan’s way and smiled, sending a silent message that he appreciated the gesture and would show her how much later.
    He focused his attention back on Natalie. “See, Mom, you have no excuse not to get a good night’s sleep. We’ll fill you in on everything in the morning over coffee.” He tried to grin. “Maybe we’ll splurge on Myrtle’s Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake for breakfast.”
    Reluctantly, Natalie agreed and released her daughter. Jordan reached out and grabbed her arm and led the way back into the suite.
    * * * * *
    The ride back to Ranchero was tense and seemed much longer than usual. There was little conversation in the car, and even that was centered on generic topics. Alex’s mom leaned silently against the door and looked out the window. The past two hours spent at the hotel were never mentioned, and Jordan was glad of that, since it would do no good to rehash the events at the party.
    Ray dropped them off at the Empire Apartments, and after throwing a few personal items into a tote bag, Jordan drove Natalie to Alex’s house. She had no idea how long it would be before Alex and Kate made it back home, and she wanted to