Read Online Demise in Denim by Duffy Brown - Free Book Online Page A

horns sprouting on my head. “It’ll be fun. I’m a little rusty, but I’m thinking it’s like riding a bike and it’ll come back to me really quick and—”
    â€œNo hanky-panky.” Boone took another step back.
    I stepped toward him. “I’ll settle for the hanky.”
    â€œAnd then you’ll get that dopey look on your face worse than ever, and the cops and everyone else will know that we’ve been together. Listen, someone wants me out of the picture and if they have to go through you to get to me, they’ll do it and not think twice. I don’t want you involved in this mess; stay out of it. That’s why I wrote the note.”
    â€œHey, you’re not the only one with something to lose, you know.”
    â€œLord save me, it’s the furniture speech.”
    â€œI’m a businesswoman with a dog to support.”
    â€œUnless you want to be buried in that furniture, forget about it.”
    I parked my hands on my hips. “So why the heck are you here?”
    â€œA friend of a friend saw lights inside and I got the message. I figured someone was up to no good. I should have known it was you causing mayhem. Go home and run your shop and butt out, period, blondie.”
    â€œYou know, you say that every time things get a little crazy because you’re afraid something will happen to me.”
    â€œSomething always does happen to you.”
    I pulled the picture from my pocket and held the flashlight to it. “KiKi and I weren’t the only ones in here tonight. We were out with BW and we saw the lights too and thought you were being burgled. Then we found this on your desk.” I held up the shoe. “And we found this in your desk.” I pulled out the picture. “We figure a really pissed-off bride left the shoe and the killer planted the picture. I’d say it’s another piece of the
let’s frame Walker for murder
puzzle.”
    Boone stared at the picture for a long moment, not moving, barely breathing. “The happy family,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
    â€œYou know, at this particular time it probably was. Then Conway married for money and your mamma took off and left you with Grandma Hilly.”
    â€œIt could be worse,” Boone said, still looking at the picture.
    Truth be told, I wasn’t sure how it could be much worse, since Boone’s Grandma Hilly died when he was around fifteen and he took to living on the streets.
    â€œI could be Tucker, a wealthy boozed-up wart on society’s backside,” Boone added, the twinkle back in his eyes. “I’d say the killer’s someone who has it in for me and for Conway and wanted to get rid of us both.”
    â€œAnd the shoe?” I held it up. “Tick anyone off lately?”
    â€œShe wanted me to sue her ex-fiancé and I graciously declined.”
    â€œNot graciously enough.”
    Boone shoved the picture in his jean pockets. They were baggy, torn denim, life-in-the-projects quality. His black hoodie was ripped and frayed at the neck. “We got to get out of here,” he said. “The cops are going to keep an eye on this place from here on out. There’s a loose board in the back fence that the kids use to cut through the alleys. Give it a yank and slide through. Stay off the streets for a few blocks in case the cops are on patrol.”
    He opened the fridge and stuffed two apples in his pocket and a half loaf of bread under his sweatshirt along with the jar of peanut butter and the crackers. For sure Boone knew people who would hide him, but he was staying away from friends so they wouldn’t get caught up in his ordeal. I couldn’t even imagine the hovel he was holed up in. I grabbed all the cash I had from Old Yeller, two tens and a five, and shoved them at Boone. “Take it, it’s rent for the car.”
    He stuffed the money back in my purse, then opened the freezer and pulled