Read Online Flossed (Alex Harris Mystery Series) by Elaine Macko - Free Book Online

bit rusty. “Sam, look over there, at the man walking down the street. Isn’t that Paul Cassé?”
    “It sure looks like him. What on earth would he be doing around here?”
    “I think Wanda said something on Saturday that he and Martine live by the university and we passed it the other night when we took the tram to the restaurant. It’s only a couple of stops down.”
    I locked the car door and went over to the sidewalk. “Paul! Paul!”
    The man turned. It was indeed Paul and after exchanging greetings, we invited him in.
    “No, I really shouldn’t,” Paul said. “I really must get back.”He looked over his shoulder like he expected someone to be there.
    “You look like you need something to drink. And maybe someone to talk to.” I knew Europeans weren’t as open as we Americans but the guy looked terrible.
    Paul hesitated a moment longer, looking down the street in thought and then turned and gave me a wary smile. “You’re right. I could use someone to talk to.”
    We climbed into the tiny elevator and rode up in silence. A brief thought crossed my mind—could we be in this little space with a murderer? I could see tomorrow’s headlines in the local newspaper, Le Soir . Stupid Tourists Invite Killer into Their Home and End up Dead. Bodies Being Shipped Home Tomorrow . Geessh. I don’t know what gets into me sometimes.
    The elevator door slid opened and we stepped out into the hallway. I unlocked the door and walked in.
    “Paul, can we offer you anything? Coffee, tea?”
    “Nothing, Alex. All I did yesterday was consume coffee. Martine’s family arrived as soon as I got home on Saturday night, or I guess I should say Sunday morning, and they stayed all day yesterday. They’re still at our apartment, which is why I went for a walk. I needed to get away for some air. I cannot breath with them hovering. They’ve always been completely informed of our problems, thanks to Martine, and I’m sure they think I killed her. Which I didn’t !”
    “Well, we believe you, right Sam?” I nudged my sister in her side and Sam perked up.
    “Oh! Right. I mean if people went around killing their spouses over every little thi…. Sorry. I got carried away.”
    “It’s all right. I know what you meant. And it’s true. Martine and I had our problems to be sure, but I don’t understand how anyone could possibly think I killed my wife because she wanted children and I didn’t. It’s ridiculous.”
    “Of course it is.” I wondered if Paul knew Martine and Doug had had an affair, and maybe even Martine and Bill. Now that might be something the man would kill over.
    “I just wish,” Paul continued, “she hadn’t been so open about our problems with her parents.”
    I wondered again if Martine had been forthright enough to tell her parents about her own affair and the fact it might have been partially responsible for the problems she and Paul were having. More than likely she just blamed Paul’s unwillingness to have children for their problems and let her family put the blame on him. I suddenly felt sorry for the man standing in front of me, but quickly remembered despite my beliefs, he very well could be a killer. One who was currently in my apartment.
    I gestured for Paul to go into the living room. “You know, Paul, my husband and I just got married ourselves, and even though we’ve discussed children, we’ve by no means come to any sort of decision. Right now we’re content with things the way they are, but that may change. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. Perhaps you just weren’t ready right now and, given some time, you may have changed your mind,” I offered, hoping this might give the man some peace.
    “That may very well have happened but I’m afraid it was too late. And now I’ll never know.”
    “Too late?” Sam asked.
    Paul hesitated. “I’m sorry. I don’t know you, either of you.” He looked from Sam to me. “I shouldn’t be here and I shouldn’t be discussing my