Read Online Death Stretch by Ashantay Peters - Free Book Online
Authors: Ashantay Peters
Tags: Suspense, Contemporary
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Yoga Studio. I’d planned that excuse if I got stopped or seen by one sexy cop named Dirk Johnson.
The studio lights shone onto the sidewalk, a real surprise given the crime scene tape strung around the place. A black and white sat parked out front. Justin Nash leaned against the side of the car. His slumped shoulders, crossed arms and bent head gave me all the hints I needed about his attitude.
My decision to snoop came without conscious thought. I pulled into a nearby parking space and got out. When I reached Justin, I held out my right hand.
“Justin, isn't it? My name is Katie Sheridan. Last Saturday was my first class, but I'm so sorry about what happened.”
When my outstretched hand wasn't grasped by Justin in return, I dropped my arm and waited for him to look at me. He didn't.
He lifted his head. His naked hatred made me step back. “I hear confession is good for the soul.”
“Are you implying something? I don't...I didn't know Morgan. I had no reason to want him dead. I understand your grief. I just stopped to extend sympathy.”
“Oh, really?” He crossed his arms across a muscled chest covered with a tight black tee. “I heard you were kneeling next to Morgan right before he died. That you touched him, spoke with him. Then you left and when you came back, you made it seem like you tried to save him.”
My throat was so dry the swallows I attempted didn't lubricate anything.
“That's not true. I told you, I didn't know Morgan and I didn't do any of those things.” My voice squeaked. The memory of death under my fingertips rushed back, making speech impossible.
Justin dropped his arms but leaned forward slightly. Somehow that seemed a bigger threat. His intense sapphire-colored eyes contrasted badly with his red face. Not to mention, blue like that isn't found in nature.
“Can you prove that? Otherwise, your tall tale is nothing but a story.”
“I don't know why someone is spreading stories about me. They're not true.” But a sudden thought made a very good reason clear. Blame me, the real killer walks. “Do you know who started the story that I knelt and spoke with Morgan?”
“What, I tell and you kill the eye witness?”
My temper climbed and I struggled to pull my ire under control. “I understand you don't know me, but I have no motive, and I didn't take the opportunity to kill anyone. Murder isn’t in me.”
His gaze moved over my body, leaving a creepy crawly feeling behind. “Well, I wasn't at the studio when the crime happened, so I wouldn't know.”
My voice sounded loud. “I didn't do it. I just want to know who accused me so I can find out why.”
A warm feeling covered my back and I knew without looking Dirk stood close.
“Why don't you leave investigating to the police, Ms. Sheridan?”
I whirled and faced Dirk. My stomach clenched when I saw his stern expression. “Why don't you find out who's smearing my name? Seems to me, that's a good clue to the killer.”
“We're investigating every lead, Ms. Sheridan. Thorough investigation takes time.”
Justin snorted. “Time? How much time? How long will you keep the studio closed? I've got personal belongings in there, stuff I need.”
Dirk gave Justin a cool look. “We're finishing up tonight. You can open tomorrow.”
“The studio won't open, not without Morgan. I just want my things and for you to find the killer.” He crossed his arms again and threw a glare in my direction. “Should be easy. She's standing right next to you.”
The blood drained from my head. I swayed before catching my balance. The stunned feeling remained.
Detective Johnson rode to the rescue, kinda. “I'm interested in hearing how the victim's business partner knows the killer's identity. Unless your convenient alibi away from the studio doesn't hold true. Care to enlighten me?”
Justin's pout would have been cute on a two-year-old. “I'm just repeating what I heard, that's all.”
“Well, keep your repetition to yourself.
The studio lights shone onto the sidewalk, a real surprise given the crime scene tape strung around the place. A black and white sat parked out front. Justin Nash leaned against the side of the car. His slumped shoulders, crossed arms and bent head gave me all the hints I needed about his attitude.
My decision to snoop came without conscious thought. I pulled into a nearby parking space and got out. When I reached Justin, I held out my right hand.
“Justin, isn't it? My name is Katie Sheridan. Last Saturday was my first class, but I'm so sorry about what happened.”
When my outstretched hand wasn't grasped by Justin in return, I dropped my arm and waited for him to look at me. He didn't.
He lifted his head. His naked hatred made me step back. “I hear confession is good for the soul.”
“Are you implying something? I don't...I didn't know Morgan. I had no reason to want him dead. I understand your grief. I just stopped to extend sympathy.”
“Oh, really?” He crossed his arms across a muscled chest covered with a tight black tee. “I heard you were kneeling next to Morgan right before he died. That you touched him, spoke with him. Then you left and when you came back, you made it seem like you tried to save him.”
My throat was so dry the swallows I attempted didn't lubricate anything.
“That's not true. I told you, I didn't know Morgan and I didn't do any of those things.” My voice squeaked. The memory of death under my fingertips rushed back, making speech impossible.
Justin dropped his arms but leaned forward slightly. Somehow that seemed a bigger threat. His intense sapphire-colored eyes contrasted badly with his red face. Not to mention, blue like that isn't found in nature.
“Can you prove that? Otherwise, your tall tale is nothing but a story.”
“I don't know why someone is spreading stories about me. They're not true.” But a sudden thought made a very good reason clear. Blame me, the real killer walks. “Do you know who started the story that I knelt and spoke with Morgan?”
“What, I tell and you kill the eye witness?”
My temper climbed and I struggled to pull my ire under control. “I understand you don't know me, but I have no motive, and I didn't take the opportunity to kill anyone. Murder isn’t in me.”
His gaze moved over my body, leaving a creepy crawly feeling behind. “Well, I wasn't at the studio when the crime happened, so I wouldn't know.”
My voice sounded loud. “I didn't do it. I just want to know who accused me so I can find out why.”
A warm feeling covered my back and I knew without looking Dirk stood close.
“Why don't you leave investigating to the police, Ms. Sheridan?”
I whirled and faced Dirk. My stomach clenched when I saw his stern expression. “Why don't you find out who's smearing my name? Seems to me, that's a good clue to the killer.”
“We're investigating every lead, Ms. Sheridan. Thorough investigation takes time.”
Justin snorted. “Time? How much time? How long will you keep the studio closed? I've got personal belongings in there, stuff I need.”
Dirk gave Justin a cool look. “We're finishing up tonight. You can open tomorrow.”
“The studio won't open, not without Morgan. I just want my things and for you to find the killer.” He crossed his arms again and threw a glare in my direction. “Should be easy. She's standing right next to you.”
The blood drained from my head. I swayed before catching my balance. The stunned feeling remained.
Detective Johnson rode to the rescue, kinda. “I'm interested in hearing how the victim's business partner knows the killer's identity. Unless your convenient alibi away from the studio doesn't hold true. Care to enlighten me?”
Justin's pout would have been cute on a two-year-old. “I'm just repeating what I heard, that's all.”
“Well, keep your repetition to yourself.
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