Read Online Don't Die Under the Apple Tree by Amy Patricia Meade - Free Book Online

employees. Until then, however, there had to be something she could do to launch her investigation.
    Rosie eyed the empty holding room and the doors that led to the men’s and newly installed women’s facilities. The police had probably swept this entire area before letting the day shift begin, but that didn’t mean that she shouldn’t have a look around. Having some shipbuilding experience under her belt, she might notice some small detail that the police overlooked. But even if she didn’t, the act of searching would, at the very least, make her feel as if she was being productive.
    She walked to the men’s room and placed a tentative hand on the door. Should she? Rosie glanced from side to side and then chided herself for such foolishness. The room would, invariably, be empty since employees used the facilities nearest the docks during working hours. The holding area restrooms were reserved for use between shifts and for those occasions when the dock facilities were otherwise occupied or unusable.
    Still, she felt terribly embarrassed, as if stepping into a men’s room was some sort of obscene act.
    Don’t be silly, Rosie, she scolded beneath her breath. It’s just a men’s room and you’re a grown, married woman.
    She gave the door a shove, causing it to swing inward.
    And then unexpectedly stop.
    Rosie gasped and reared backward. There, in the doorway, stood Lieutenant Jack Riordan. The stubbly beard he’d sported the night before had been cleanly shaved and his tall frame was clad in a navy blue flannel suit, which he wore without an overcoat.
    â€œOh!” She drew her hand to her mouth.
    Riordan propped the wooden door open with one hand and tipped his hat with the other. “Mrs. Keefe.”
    â€œLieutenant Riordan. I was ... I was just—”
    â€œLooking for the ladies’ room? It’s the next door over.”
    â€œOh, look at that.” She feigned surprise. “Why, it is, isn’t it? I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
    Riordan let go of the men’s-room door and held both hands aloft. “No, it’s okay.”
    â€œI, um ... well, I guess I’m a bit scatterbrained what with everything going on.”
    â€œWhat, you mean you’ve never been a suspect in a murder investigation before?”
    She was caught off guard at the flippancy of the remark. “No, I, uh, I’m afraid I haven’t... .”
    Riordan immediately apologized. “I’m sorry. That was ... that was out of line. I was trying to be clever, but I’m an idiot.”
    Rosie’s eyes narrowed. She had known only a handful of policemen in her lifetime, and although she had never witnessed any of them working a case, she was fairly confident that none of them would try to joke with and then apologize to the lead suspect in a murder investigation. Was Riordan trying to tell her that she was no longer the lead suspect? That he had found someone with a stronger motive? Or was he making light of the situation in order to trap her?
    Riordan, prompted by her silence, cleared his throat awkwardly. “So, I hear you have your job back.”
    â€œYou were listening?”
    â€œNot on purpose. At least not at first. I was on my way out of the men’s room when I heard people talking. When I figured out who it was and what was being said, I thought it best not to interrupt. I’m glad I didn’t. That was quite the speech you made. I especially liked the whole ‘innocent until proven guilty’ part.”
    â€œI had to do something to convince Tony Del Vecchio to hire me back.”
    â€œIt was still a nice touch.”
    â€œWell, it’s true. That’s how the system works, isn’t it? Otherwise I would have been locked up last night.”
    â€œThe police have to build a case against you and until they do you are presumed innocent, yes. However, as I’m sure you realize, there’s