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

personal problems.”
    I thought for a moment. Paul was half American and he had certainly piqued my interest with his comment about it being too late. Maybe with some quick maneuvering I could get him to talk more. Okay, so I felt pretty guilty about this. I mean, I was raised Catholic after all, which means I live with the guilt cloud over my head for my entire life, but I’m also nosy. Besides, the guys were off doing God knows what and Sam and I had to occupy our time somehow.
    “Paul, yes, we have just met, and you certainly owe us no explanations, but sometimes it helps to talk—especially to people you don’t know very well, because, well, because we can be more objective.”
    “True.” Paul sank into the coffee-colored leather sofa. “I haven’t discussed our problems with too many people. I really just wanted to talk things over with Martine, but she was so obstinate!” Paul’s voice rose with the last word. He sighed heavily and continued. “You see, I had a vasectomy several years ago, before we got married, before we even thought about it, and was part of the problem. Once Martine decided she just had to have children, she insisted I go to the doctor to see if the procedure could be reversed. I had no desire to have it reversed and I told her so, but she was adamant. So I did and he said there was no possibility. She seemed almost obsessed about this baby thing in the last few weeks.”
    I tried to think back to the tape we had all listened to on Saturday night and I didn’t remember Paul telling Inspector Willix about having had a vasectomy. Maybe I just didn’t hear it.
    “Did you mentioned this to the police?”
    “About the vasectomy? No. I told them about not wanting children but I didn’t mention the operation. I didn’t think it relevant. Do you think it is?” He sounded like a little boy.
    I shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d imagine as long as they know about the fact the children issue was a major factor in your relationship that should be enough. You haven’t tried to hide the fact all was not right between you. I could mention it to John, if you’d like and he could pass the information on to Inspector Willix.”
    “Okay. I don’t see why not. I have nothing to hide.” Paul got up from the leather sofa and walked over to a rather large bay window looking out over the Avenue Franklin Roosevelt.
    This apartment really had a spectacular view. I could get used to living here very quickly, but then I would miss my family too much and I couldn’t fathom not being close to my grandmother.
    We watched Paul for a few moments and then Sam and I exchanged glances. I could tell she was thinking the same thing I was.
    “ Do you have something to hide, Paul?” I walked over to his side.
    “Nothing that could be of any importance to this investigation, I’m certain.”
    “Paul?”
    Paul looked at me and for the first time since I had met him, he smiled. “I think you’ve missed your calling. Perhaps you could get your husband to give you a job with the police. There is indeed something, but I do not see how it could have any bearing on on her murder. A while back, while Martine and I were living together, we broke up for about eight months and I moved out. It was during this time I had an affair. It got pretty serious but she was married. After a while she decided to leave her husband and she was just about to ask him for a divorce when I decided to get back with Martine.”
    “Okay, so you had an affair. You weren’t married and you weren’t with Martine at the time.” Sam came to stand next to the two of us at the window. “So, how would any of this have any relevance?”
    “The person I had the affair with was Jane. Jane Tillingsworth.”
    Sam and I stood there with our mouths open while I wondered if Jane had the ridiculous haircut and the scathing personality back then.
    “Well, unless you were still seeing Jane,” I said, “I don’t see why this would be considered a