Read Online Devil in the Deadline by Lyndee Walker - Free Book Online Page A

come in handy for me in the past. The kind that go with being fairly high up in the Mafia. But he wasn’t a murderer. Almost eight years at the crime desk had graced me with a fail proof psycho radar, and Joey didn’t fit the bill.
    â€œThanks.” His wry smile made my lips curve into an involuntary grin. “But I’m still worried. I’m not saying don’t write about it, but what the hell were you doing, interviewing psych patients? And where have you been this morning?”
    â€œTalking to people who won’t talk to the cops.” I sat back. “They’re dealing with street people. And I’m in the very rare position to help Aaron with a criminal investigation, with the bonus that he trusts me enough to let me in on it. I’ve got stuff no one else can get. It’s a helluva lead. I can’t walk away.”
    â€œCan’t is too strong a word. Won’t. But I know better than to argue you should put your life ahead of the story. So I figure maybe I can help point you in a safer direction.”
    â€œWhich is?”
    â€œYour detective friend is correct. Whoever did this isn’t your garden-variety crime of passion killer.” Joey leaned forward, a line creasing his brow. “If I’m reading between the lines right, your murder scene had a setup. Some ceremony to it. It was planned. Maybe even professional. For the record, Miss Clarke, that’s not something I want you anywhere near.”
    â€œI found myself wondering today if it was her friend.” I fidgeted with the hem of my sundress. I hadn’t really wanted to be there, either. But I wanted the story almost as badly as I wanted to kiss Joey. “I met a girl who has a crush on the victim’s boyfriend.”
    â€œIt wasn’t her.”
    â€œHow do you know?” My head snapped up.
    He chuckled. “Always a little doubt.”
    â€œThat’s not what I meant.”
    He sat back. Darcy resumed her spot on his thigh, pushing her nose under his hand. I smiled. My dog is an excellent judge of character.
    â€œDid you talk to this woman?” Joey asked, scratching Darcy’s ears.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œOf course you did.” He rolled his eyes. “Is she a bodybuilder?”
    I laughed. “No.”
    â€œThink about what you saw. Is she strong enough to have done it?”
    â€œNo.” I sighed.
    Joey nodded. “I don’t know who did it—” He paused and shook his head when I raised a brow. “Believe me. If I knew, I’d walk them into the PD myself. Anything to get you out of the middle of this.”
    â€œI think it’s my turn for the eye roll, but it feels trite,” I said. “If you’re so ready for me to abandon this, why help me?”
    He sighed. “You won’t give it up no matter what I say, right?”
    â€œRight.”
    â€œSo if I play bodyguard and offer opinions, maybe you’ll avoid becoming steak tartar.”
    â€œCan’t hurt.” I barely got the words out, my throat closing over a wash of emotion. I missed him. Opinions meant he’d be around. I leaned forward, reaching one hand out. His face softened, the guarded lines disappearing.
    â€œI should have known better,” he said softly, setting Darcy on the floor and sliding onto the coffee table. He leaned his cheek into my palm.
    â€œThan to come here?” His skin was baby-soft under my fingertips. And he smelled so good.
    â€œThan to try to avoid you. I can’t do it.”
    I tipped my head to one side when his eyes fell shut. “I’m glad. Because I don’t want you to.”
    Joey’s breath warmed my lips, and my pulse jackhammered a staccato beat.
    Thwap. Thwap. Thwap.
    I opened my eyes, and Joey turned his head. Surely my heart wasn’t beating that loud. The kitchen door clicked shut and I muttered, “What now?”
    Joey’s fingers closed over my hand.
    â€œHey hot stuff,