Read Online Dead Right by Brenda Novak - Free Book Online Page B

now.”
    â€œLet’s not make her come,” Irene said, gripping Madeline’s arm.
    Chief Pontiff glanced up again, and Madeline knew, without his having to say a word that he’d insist on it. He required Grace to confirm what Madeline had, after several shocked minutes, told him. “I’m afraid it’s important.”
    â€œThen I need Clay,” her stepmother said. “Grace will need him, too.”
    â€œI’d rather save him this,” Madeline argued, but it was too late. Irene had hurried over to one of the empty desks and helped herself to a phone.
    Madeline considered asking her to hang up but was actually relieved that Clay would be joining them. At the very least, maybe he’d take care of Irene until Madeline could come to grips with all of this.
    The door opened and Grace’s husband, Kennedy Archer, walked in, holding her hand. He had on one of the tailored suits he wore to work, while Grace wasdressed more casually in jeans, Ugg boots and an attractive sweater. A pair of sunglasses hid her eyes despite the season and the inclement weather.
    She’s marshalling her defenses. She knows something’s up. Suddenly, Madeline was very reluctant to see what would happen next.
    Kennedy said a brief hello, although his cautious manner with Grace revealed his concern. Grace nodded in their direction but said nothing.
    â€œKennedy, Grace. Thanks for coming down.” Pontiff had walked over the second he saw them and was now shaking hands with Kennedy. He offered Grace his hand as well, but she’d caught sight of the articles on the paper-lined table and didn’t respond.
    â€œWhat’s the problem?” Kennedy asked, his voice low and guarded.
    Pontiff explained that these items had been found in the Cadillac as he motioned them closer. Grace allowed her husband to lead her, but her skin looked taut across her elegant bones.
    After a moment, she swayed as if she might pass out, and Madeline stepped up to take her hand. Irene remained near the door, muttering something about Clay.
    â€œDo you recognize any of these objects?” Chief Pontiff asked.
    Kennedy went rigid. “Grace?” he murmured, and there was a world of intimacy and love in the way he said her name.
    She shook her head as Pontiff pointed at the suitcase. She did the same when he indicated the dildo, the rope and the panties. But when he reached the ones with the monkey, she finally spoke. “Those were mine.”
    Â 
    Panic crowded so close Grace could hardly breathe. She’d known this would be agonizing. But she’d had no idea how much worse it’d be with Madeline looking on. Chief Pontiff watched, too, his expression shuttered. Even Officer Radcliffe, who stood off to the side pretending to file, was taking careful note.
    Their future depended on the next few minutes—and her ability to be convincing even though she was drowning in a sea of painful memories.
    â€œDo you know how your panties came to be in the trunk of the Cadillac?” Pontiff asked.
    â€œNo.” She wished she had the strength to remove her sunglasses and meet his gaze directly. She’d coached enough witnesses to know how to enhance credibility. But she couldn’t do it. Kennedy’s hand, holding hers tightly, reminded her that what she saw on the table was her life then, and he and their children were her life now. It was the only thing that kept her from falling apart. He was determined to get her through this. She could feel him willing her to endure and to triumph. For everyone’s sake.
    Don’t let your stepfather win. Don’t let him. He said that whenever the past began to encroach on her happiness. And, so far, it had worked.
    Silently, she promised she wouldn’t disappoint him and ignored the terrible stabbing sensation she remembered so clearly, along with the stench of her stepfather’s breath, his eager grunts and groans, the flash of the camera