Read Online Darker the Release by Claire Kent - Free Book Online Page B

to Caleb now, but she didn’t know enough yet to give up. “Why? What do you need?”
    “There’s nothing in any electronic records we can access, so we need to check the paper records.”
    “They’re not going to keep written proof of murder in the storage room.”
    “You never know. But that’s not what I’m expecting to find. I want to get the personnel record of Earnest and then see if there’s anything on Moore or Marshall in there.”
    “They evidently keep the storage area locked, but Caleb’s assistant has a master key in her desk. I saw her take it out when I stopped by last week. I might be able to—”
    “No, no. My guys can do it. It’s too dangerous for you to try to get in there yourself.”
    “But it’s dangerous for your guys too.”
    “Yeah, but they’re professionals, and you’re not. Just give me a week or two, and we’ll figure out a way to get in there.”
    Kelly bit her lip, hating the idea of waiting that long before they had concrete proof one way or the other.
    Jack evidently sensed her hesitation. “You’re okay with keeping this charade up a little longer, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, I’m fine. Just try to hurry it up.”
    “I will. I want you out of there as soon as possible. In fact, you can probably leave now if you want.”
    “I’m not going to leave until this is over. You might need something else from me, and I’m not going to walk away when we’re almost there.”
    “Yeah.” He sighed. “I didn’t think so. Just be safe and hang tight, and my guys will get to the records as soon as possible.”
    “Okay.” She hesitated before she added, “Have you talked to my mother lately?”
    “Yes. She calls every day.”
    “Is there—” Kelly broke off, hating how awkward she felt talking about her own mother. “Is there anything new with her?” Even if she’d wanted to, she couldn’t have a conversation with her mother. Talking on the phone would be risky, and Caleb had a bodyguard following her around all the time, because her supposed bloodthirsty Armenian ex-boyfriend with gang connections was still a threat, so it was very difficult to sneak away for a covert meeting.
    “She’s going downhill, healthwise,” Jack said, his tone changing. “But she’s just as determined as ever. I’ve never met anyone as driven as she is.”
    “Yeah.” She sighed, feeling heavy and poignant. “My dad’s death consumed her whole world—even more than mine. It’s an obsession for her now. Nothing is going to soften her at this point. Let me know if…if her health gets even worse.” Her mother was supposed to have at least another month, but those kinds of prognoses were never perfectly accurate.
    “I will.”
    “And call me if you find out anything else.”
    “Will do.”
    She hung up the phone and stepped into the shower, since she needed to be wet if anyone had heard her in the bathroom like this. She soaped up and rinsed quickly, deciding not to wash her hair. She’d washed it yesterday evening before the party, and it took forever to dry.
    She turned the shower off, dried off, and put her nightgown back on, since she hadn’t brought any clothes into the bathroom with her.
    The bedroom was still empty when she opened the door. Caleb was probably working, distancing himself from her to get his bearings back after last night.
    It was just as well. Even if he wasn’t guilty, she couldn’t get any closer to him than she already was.
    He’d pulled away this morning. It was good. It was better.
    It was nothing to be disappointed about.
    “Good morning,” came a warm, cultured voice from the bedroom door, which had just opened. “I was trying to get back before you woke up.”
    Caleb walked in the room, barefoot, bare-chested, wearing only a pair of black trousers. He wasn’t smiling, but there was something oddly hesitant in his eyes.
    Kelly whirled around, startled, gaping at him.
    He blinked, his eyes slipping down to her body but not lingering. “I was