Read Online Dead by Midnight by Beverly Barton - Free Book Online Page A

wife had been shot several times, stripped naked, and adorned with a fancy mask? “Do you know if your brother had received any death threats? Had someone sent him any letters warning him that he was in danger?”
    “Not that I know of, but Dean lived in Los Angeles and we hadn’t seen each other in years. He wouldn’t have confided in me, especially not over the phone. Why do you ask?”
    Sanders shook his head. “I was curious if perhaps your brother had been threatened in any way before he was killed.”
    “I really have no idea. Is there anything else you need from me today, Mr. Sanders?”
    Sanders stood. “No, thank you, Mr. Wilson. I think I have all I need for the time being. Our agents will contact you in the morning.”
    After he saw Powell’s newest client to the door, Sanders considered the possibilities. Two similar murders did not mean they were connected. But what were the odds that the MO of two separate murderers now being investigated by Powell’s would be identical?
     
    He entered the diner, searched and found Lily Wong serving behind the counter, and quickly took a seat on one of the padded stools. While waiting for her to notice she had a new customer, he pulled the plastic-coated menu from the rack that also held a variety of condiments. She came over, set a glass of water in front of him, and asked if he had decided what he wanted.
    “Today’s special sounds good,” he replied and casually glanced at her.
    She smiled at him. Lily was a pretty young woman with a mass of rich dark hair neatly confined in a ponytail, large silvery blue eyes, and full, pink lips. He stared at her name tag. “And a cup of coffee, please, Lily.”
    “Yes, sir. I’ll place your order and then bring your coffee.”
    He nodded and returned her pleasant smile, a smile he believed was genuine.
    I’m sorry that I have to kill your husband, Lily. But he must die, just as the others must die. I know you won’t ever understand the reason his death is necessary and I’m sorry for that, too.
    She set the filled coffee mug in front of him. “Cream or sugar?”
    “Just sugar,” he replied.
    She pointed to the small bowl that held individual packets of sugar and artificial sweeteners. A customer at the end of the counter called her name and requested more coffee.
    He watched her as she made the rounds up and down the counter, making sure every customer was well taken care of with fresh coffee, tea, cola, and water. And when she brought his plate, she laid down extra napkins beside it.
    “You seem to be very adept at your job,” he said.
    “Thank you. I try my best.”
    Before he could advance their conversation, she glanced down at her apron pocket. “Excuse me. I need to take this call.”
    Undoubtedly she kept her phone set on vibrate instead of ring while she was at work.
    She moved away from him to the end of the counter where no one was sitting, pulled her phone from her apron pocket, and said, “Hi, honey.”
    He pretended to be engrossed in the chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, and the green beans on his plate. While eating, he listened carefully to every word Lily Wong said.
    “Oh, Charlie, that’s wonderful. When do you start?” she asked. “Monday?”
    Apparently Charles Wong had found a new job.
    “We should celebrate this weekend, maybe Saturday night,” Lily said. “We can’t tomorrow night. Remember I’m doing that mother-daughter campout thing with Jenny and Jessica’s Brownie troop.” She lowered her voice to a soft whisper. He strained to hear what she said. “We’ll be home by ten Saturday morning and I promise that I’ll get a babysitter for the girls so that you and I can have our own private celebration.”
    As soon as she returned her phone to her pocket, she walked over to him and asked, “Is everything all right? Do you need more rolls or coffee?”
    “No, thanks, I’m fine.” He offered her a big, friendly smile.
    If Lily and her daughters