Read Online Cuts Like a Knife: A Novel (A Kristen Conner Mystery Book 1) by M.K. Gilroy - Free Book Online Page B

the energy crisis that bad? Did no one hear me say I’m on a murder case?
    “As I tried to communicate earlier, we didn’t really take that drive at all.”
    “Oh?” Klarissa’s eyebrows are arched upward. Should I tell her that will cause wrinkles? That would give her something more important to think about. Klarissa always complains that male newscasters are allowed to age but female newscasters have a short shelf life and spoil when the wrinkles start showing up.
    Everyone is staring at me, including the kids. “What?” I ask. “I just said we didn’t go.”
    “Did Dell have to go in to work?” Mom asks. “Because I know he’s really been looking forward to seeing it.”
    “Actually, I got called into work, Mom. Right after Kendra’s soccer game. I have a job, too. And in case you weren’t listening before, I was assigned the case that’s on the front page of today’s paper.”
    “You’re doing security when the president comes to town?” Mom asks.
    “No. I’m not guarding the president, Mom. I’m working the murder of the young woman in Washington Park.”
    “Yeah, I heard two of the producers talking back in the green room,” Klarissa says. “Her boyfriend shot her.”
    “I didn’t catch that story,” Jimmy says. “That sounds awful.”
    “No guns were involved, Klarissa.” That’s all I’m saying.
    “Well, that’s good, I hate guns,” Mom says, oblivious to the gap in her logic. “Now tell me again why you didn’t take the drive with Dell? I think he’s a sweetheart.”
    James saves me. He’s been playing with a straw and suddenly spews milk in a fine mist all over the table. I knew he liked my little show with the Diet Coke so he decided to try it himself. It’s my turn to crack up, trying to hide my laugh behind a hand. Kaylen is up in a flash and James’ exultant smile turns to a plaintive wail to let her know it was all a big misunderstanding. She marches him from the room, encouraging him on with a swat to his rear. Kendra knows she’s not supposed to smile, but does so anyway. Jimmy gives her a reproachful glance and she guiltily clamps her lips in a straight line. Smart girl. Mom looks at me from the corner of her eyes, without turning her head my way. I know she thinks I’m being a bad influence on the kids. I bite down on my lip, even though I feel like defending myself against a look. After an awkward moment, Jimmy gets the conversation rolling again. He’s good at that.
    Thankfully the table has lost interest in Dell and our torpedoed Amish excursion. The Washington Park murder is forgotten, too. We talk about the Bulls and the Cubs and about the great spring weather, even though it has been all over the charts temperature-wise. For a few minutes we discuss why some people believe in predestination and why some don’t believe in eternal security, which somehow segues to a new discussion on whether Klarissa should consider interviewing for the news anchor job with the number two television station in the Baltimore market, which could be one step closer to a national position. News reporter in a market like Chicago is doing very good for a twenty-eight-year old; news anchor puts her at the top of the food chain.
    I want to have a serious discussion with Jimmy. He may be a bit naïve and sheltered, but he is a smart guy. I want to ask him why people do what they do. Especially evil people who cut up innocent women. I also want to ask him if he thinks it is ever okay to tell a lie, like when it is for a good cause or just by omission or part of the job description as a detective. I’m not sure Jimmy knows what to make of me, so he rarely engages and listens like he does with others. So once the conversation transitions to Klarissa’s career and then back around for another go at the weather, I know I’m not going to get his attention and my mind drifts away. Maybe I should make an appointment to talk to him in his office. I do listen carefully to a joke Kendra