Read Online Fillet of Murder by Linda Reilly - Free Book Online

from the eatery would have come in darned handy, she mused, as her hand rolled over something hardened and rough that—pray God—was an old food stain. She made a mental note to start carrying a pair of disposable gloves in her purse.
    Repellent as the task was, her search turned up nothing. It wouldn’t surprise her if Turnbull had found the bracelet himself and pawned it for cash.
    Talia couldn’t help wondering what a classic beauty like Jill ever saw in a man like Turnbull, but she’d obviously had feelings for him. She remembered what Rachel had said about falling for a pretty face. Talia had never met Jill’s husband, but it sounded as if their marriage was troubled.
    Another thought occurred to her, one that shook her to the core. If Jill actually
had
murdered Turnbull, then Talia was aiding and abetting a killer. Sheer instinct told her Jill hadn’t done it, but still—
    At least while they searched for the bracelet, Talia could also look for the photo. It was the main reason she’d agreed to help, in spite of the nagging voice in her head warning her to get out of there. But if finding that photo could potentially tie the real killer to the crime, wasn’t she right to stay and help?
    â€œJill, I’ve got nothing,” Talia said after exploring every square inch of the sofa and underneath it. “We have to go before we get caught. I hate to say this, but even if the bracelet was here, the police probably found it and took it into custody.”
    â€œI’m afraid of that, too.” Jill grabbed Talia’s sleeve. “You won’t tell the police about . . . me and Phil, will you?”
    Talia wanted to rub the ache from her eyes, but then remembered where her hands had been. “No, but I think you should.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œYour husband doesn’t have to know,” Talia said. “Just be honest and up front about it. Think about it, okay? If you know that you didn’t—”
    â€œI didn’t. I didn’t kill Phil!”
    Oddly, Talia believed her.
    â€œThen come clean about the affair, and let the police do their job. I don’t suppose you have an alibi for last night?”
    â€œI was home alone with my daughter. My husband was working late—one of his endless business meetings.” She smirked as if she didn’t care, but Talia could see the pain in her expression. “I would never leave my Carly at home alone. My mom sits if I’m out, but Wednesday’s her bridge night.”
    Talia smiled at the child’s name. “How old is Carly?”
    â€œShe’ll be eight next month.” Jill’s eyes grew misty. “She’s the love of my life, Talia. I can’t get in trouble over this. I
can’t
. She needs me.”
    For the second time that day, visions of a wardrobe designed around a single color scheme—orange—flashed through Talia’s head. “Jill, we have
got
to get out of here. Do you want to grab a coffee somewhere?”
    â€œLet’s go to my shop. I’ll brew us a pot of tea. I just have to fetch my gun.”
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    â€œWow. This is the most fabulous tea I’ve ever tasted.” Talia savored another mouthful, swallowing slowly to keep the flavors lingering on her tongue.
    Jill beamed as she stirred her own tea. On the table before them sat an exquisite blue cast-iron teapot etched with a serpent. “This is one of my new blends. It has a smidge of lavender, along with the faintest hint of blueberry. Scrumptious, isn’t it?”
    â€œOut of sight, as Bea would say.”
    Jill offered a weak smile. “Poor Bea. Phil really had been giving her a hard time, hadn’t he?”
    â€œTerrible,” Talia confirmed.
    â€œI don’t know how everything turned bad so quickly. Phil . . .” She pushed a lock of her lush black hair behind one ear. “Look, I