Read Online Debra Burroughs - Paradise Valley 06 - The Harbor of Lies by Debra Burroughs - Free Book Online

someone want to kill a minister?”
    “He must have had some pretty scary skeletons in his closet,” Colin guessed. “How did you meet him?”
    “Susan uses him for the weddings here at the inn. She, Camille, and I met with him for about ten minutes this morning. That was it.”
    “Well, we have a few days before the wedding. Maybe we can solve the mystery before then and you won’t have to worry about it.”
    “No, Colin. This is our wedding. I don’t want anything distracting from that.”
    “I don’t either, but if you get detained, or worse, arres—”
    “It should be pretty clear I have no motive, so I’m not going to let myself be concerned about it, unless something changes and I have cause to be concerned.”
    “Yeah, a case against you would be pretty weak. It’s clear, though, that the chief has no experience solving this type of crime,” Colin said. “He could really use someone who knows their way around a murder investigation.”
    “You heard him,” she argued. “He doesn’t want our help, so we need to butt out.”
    “At the very least, Emily, we could give him some tips, point him in the right direction. We could—”
    “Ugh! It’s always something, isn’t it? Something trying to jump in the way of our getting married.” An anger rose up in her at the constant barriers, like the universe was trying to keep them apart. Three bad things had already happened to them, so from here on out it would be smooth sailing—that’s what Colin had said—but no, now there was a fourth thing and it was a doozy. “Murder or no murder, we’re going to get married this Saturday, come hell or high water—even if the ceremony has to take place in a jail cell. No more delays. No more bad things happening. This wedding is moving forward.”
    “All right now. Calm down.” Colin reached for her right hand, but then hesitated, examining it for signs of blood before he kissed it. “This Saturday, Babe, you and me, ’til death do us part.”
    ~*~
    Although the chief had ordered one of his men to keep an eye on Emily, he had mentioned nothing about Colin. So, with Chief Taylor off speaking to the staff, Colin wandered over to the body, still sprawled out on the white Adirondack chair. He slid his phone out of his pocket and took a couple of photos before anyone noticed. Then he went to find Alex in the crowd.
    As Colin walked past the well-lit entrance to the inn, he peeked inside, through the french doors and the surrounding wall of small-paned windows. There were several people in dark green blazers—which he assumed were management or desk clerks—milling around, and a few women in light blue dresses who appeared to be maids, seated on the sofas.
    A thirty-something man with sandy-brown hair, wearing a dark gray suit stalked up to the chief, waving his arms around. The expression on his face looked more like worry than anger, which made sense if he was the manager, afraid of losing guests.
    Colin watched as Chief Taylor said something to the man and then turned to speak to a younger man that appeared to be, perhaps, a maintenance worker or groundskeeper. It didn’t seem like Chief Taylor was getting anywhere with any of them.
    Soon, Colin moved on to find Alex to escort him to where Emily sat waiting. By the time Chief Taylor returned, Colin and Emily had brought Alex up to speed on the situation.
    “Any luck?” Colin asked as Chief Taylor approached.
    “I’m not sharing information with you, Detective. This is my crime scene and my case. Besides, I don’t know yet how your girlfriend figures into this.”
    “I don’t figure into this, Chief.” Emily bolted off the car seat. “The killer just happened to pick my deck to drop the body. I’m an innocent tourist.”
    “We’ll see.” The chief took a long gaze at her, then turned to Alex. “And who’s this?”
    “Alex Martínez, attorney-at-law,” Alex said, extending his hand.
    The chief shook it, eying him suspiciously.
    “I’m