Read Online Grave Endings by Rochelle Krich - Free Book Online Page A

not
cool,
’cause it’s vinyl.” She giggled. “Married or single?”
    â€œI’m getting married in two weeks,” I said, not sure why I volunteered the information.
    â€œWow! Then we have to get you something special.” Her smile erased a few years and revealed almost straight teeth. “I know just the thing.”
    I would have preferred talking here, in private, but Trina’s heels were already clacking on the marble. I followed her downstairs to a lingerie rack at the front of the store.
    â€œHow about a bridal teddy with a matching veil?” she suggested. “Or a maribou-trimmed baby doll? That comes with a veil, too, and matching slippers.”
    â€œI don’t think that’s me.”
    She flipped through the rack. “I know you’ll like this.” She pulled out a black corset with burnt black velvet detail. “Sexy, but elegant. Am I right?”
    It wasn’t bad. “Trina—”
    â€œCome on,” she coaxed, draping the corset against her body, then thrusting it at me. “Try it on, just for fun.”
    I took the corset. “Actually, I’m not here to shop. I’m a reporter.” With my free hand I found a card in my purse and handed it to her.
    She tucked it into the waistband of her slacks without glancing at it. “You’re doing a piece on the museum?” The enthusiasm had left her voice, and her eyes were scanning the room for the next customer.
    â€œI’m here about your brother.”
    She stiffened and took a step back. “I don’t want to talk about my brother.” Her hand went to the long silver chain that circled her neck.
    â€œI know how painful this must be for you, Trina.” I cringed at the platitude but didn’t know what else to say.
    She glowered at me. “Did you ever lose a brother?” She kept her voice low but the words were an assault.
    Several people, including Jonnie, turned to look at us.
    â€œNo.” Thank God.
    â€œWell, then, you don’t know anything!” She narrowed her eyes, which were bright with tears, and regarded me with suspicion and unease. “How did you find me, anyway?”
    â€œMrs. Lamont, the building manager. Is there somewhere we could talk for a few minutes?”
    She dropped the chain. “The police told you Randy killed some woman years ago and you want to write about it, huh? I should’ve figured that out.” Contempt had aborted the tears.
    â€œI’d like to hear more about your brother before I write anything. I
do
have questions about what happened. About his girlfriend, for one thing. Doreen.”
    â€œIsn’t it enough that he’s dead? Can’t you leave us
alone
?”
    I felt sorry for her, but pity wasn’t about to stop me. Oh, no. “If Randy didn’t kill that woman, don’t you want to find that out? Don’t you want to clear his name?”
    â€œLike you care about my brother! He’s just a story to you.”
    It wasn’t quite the truth, but it was close enough. My cheeks burned. I
didn’t
care about Creeley. For all I knew he
had
killed Aggie. And Porter was right. I was desperate for absolution, hungry for details and determined to get them even if it meant manipulating this woman’s grief.
    Jonnie had approached. “Everything okay here?” she asked with false cheer that sounded desperate.
    â€œWe don’t seem to have what this customer is looking for,” Trina said, her tone as sharp as the
V
of the toes of her shoes.
    â€œMaybe I can help,” Jonnie offered.
    â€œActually, I’ve decided to take this.” I held up the corset.
    Jonnie smiled. Crisis averted. Trina threw me a suit-yourself shrug and walked off. Ten minutes later I was standing under the famous pink awning with my purchases—the corset and a white lace-and-pearl-beaded teddy that I’d spotted on the way to the register. I headed toward