Read Online Dead or Alive by Michael McGarrity - Free Book Online Page B

a steep pitched roof, a tall brick chimney, and a completely updated interior on three floors. On the open market, the house would easily rent for much more than what an army colonel could afford under any circumstance.
    In the living room—what the Brits called the lounge—Kerney called Sara’s cell phone, got her voice mail, left a message about Riley Burke’s murder, and started checking the Internet for available flights. It was the height of the tourist season and every outgoing flight to the states was fully booked until tomorrow, and even then only business-class tickets were available.
    He made a reservation on the earliest flight out of Heathrow, and arranged through the embassy for a nanny to take care of Patrick until Sara returned. He was about to call Clayton when Sara called.
    â€œWhat terrible news,” she said. “What else do you know about it?”
    â€œNot much,” Kerney replied. “Clayton said Riley was shot twice in the chest at close range and that the perp was an escaped fugitive. Clayton, Grace, and the kids discovered Riley’s body at our front door.”
    â€œWendell and Hannah saw Riley’s body?”
    â€œOf that I’m not sure.”
    â€œGrace surely wouldn’t have allowed it. I’ll call her as soon as I can. When are you leaving for Santa Fe?”
    â€œYou know me too well,” he said. He gave Sara his flight information and told her he’d arranged for a nanny until her return to London. “I’m meeting with the nanny early this afternoon. If she’s not suitable, I’ll asked the embassy to refer another.”
    â€œHave you told Patrick that Riley is dead?” Sara asked.
    â€œI don’t have the heart to do it.”
    â€œBest leave it to me. When will you be back?”
    â€œI don’t know. Sometime soon after the funeral services, I would guess. In a week at the most.”
    â€œDon’t raise my hopes with false promises,” Sara said.
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œIt means that unless this homicide is solved quickly, I don’t see you walking away from hunting down Riley’s murderer. You don’t have that kind of temperament.”
    â€œI’m not a law enforcement officer anymore.”
    â€œI’m sure Andy Baca will gladly correct that minor technicality.”
    â€œI’ll keep that in mind. Lynette, Jack, and Irene deserve to have Riley’s killer caught—”
    â€œDead or alive,” Sara said.
    â€œMy sentiments exactly,” Kerney said.
    â€œWhen the funeral services are set, let me know right away. If I can wrangle emergency leave, Patrick and I will fly over. We should all be there to pay our respects.”
    â€œI’d like that. So would the Burke family.”
    â€œIt’s all about family, Kerney. Give my boy big kisses and hugs for me.”
    â€œI’ll do it.”
    Before calling Clayton, Kerney spoke first to his old friend Andy Baca at the New Mexico State Police.
    â€œHave you caught the dirtbag?” he asked when Andy came on the line.
    Andy snorted in disgust. “Not yet. He seems to have gone to ground.”
    â€œCan you break away from the office, drive to Albuquerque, and pick me up when I arrive?”
    â€œOf course I can, I’m the chief. Give me the particulars.”
    Kerney read off his flight number and arrival time and Andy said, “I’ll see you then.”
    Kerney’s call to Clayton went unanswered, so he left a message on his voice mail, went upstairs to the master bedroom, and started packing for his flight the next day.
    Although Riley Burke’s murder was more than enough motivation to return to Santa Fe, Kerney knew his eagerness to leave also came from the feeling of being a total outsider in London and among the families of the military officers and enlisted personnel assigned to the embassy. It was a small, tight-knit group, and none of them, including