Read Online Hard Case by Elizabeth Lapthorne - Free Book Online

welcome to look for yourself, but unless this is a stalker or someone who I have genuinely no knowledge of rebuffing, I can’t see a jilted lover playing into this.”
    “There must be people you come into contact with through your work though…” Steven let his words trail off. Troy cast him a quick glance, warmed by how seamlessly he’d interjected the suggestion without making is seem they were accusing Keyton of anything.
    “Well of course, that’s a different story all together,” Keyton admitted with a grin. “It’s impossible to do anything in politics without balancing who you offend most and who you join forces with. But I can’t imagine anyone around here would resort to murder. Through a second, third or fourth party, I would find it believable, but people around here wouldn’t sully their hands with such business, particularly not if it was possible to tie back to them. Media slander, dropping ‘accidental’ tit-bits and destroying a man’s reputation, casting him in poor light, that sort of stuff is common. Murder is beyond the pale.”
    “So the rumors circulating about your accepting money for information, the slurs against your good name… Those could be from within here somewhere?” Troy murmured pensively.
    “Certainly.” Keyton nodded. “But I’m afraid that list is endless. Hell, I make enemies when I refuse to do such things. It’s a lose-lose situation when you’re approached. You take the bribe and sell your soul, you’re on a short and slippery path out of the game. You refuse them, and not only do these sorts of stories linger around, but you’ve also frustrated whoever wanted you in his pocket. There’s a reason why ten years in this building is considered a true achievement.”
    “I know your time is limited,” Troy pressed. “But if you could think about anything that might connect back to the past, your studying days in particular, I’d appreciate it.”
    Keyton took the business card Troy handed him, slipping it to the inner pocket of his jacket.
    “Our last few years—when most of the class pranks and mischief really got wild—my cronies and I already had our eyes on the big prize over here. We were tame, to be honest. One night after practice, we put bubble bath in the school fountain. Had no idea how much would be enough, so the whole quad was a mess by the end of it—suds everywhere. We also talked big about stealing the mascot from our rival cricket team’s trophy room, but that ended up being wishful thinking. We never followed through on it, though we gave it a good crack. Drew the line at breaking and entering. I’ll talk to my wife Judy though, chat to some of the boys, see if they can think of something I’ve forgotten.”
    “I’d appreciate that.” Troy stood. “Thank you, Keyton.”
    They shook hands again.
    “I’m sorry to dash.” Keyton grimaced. “But I have your details and I will certainly call if something comes up.”
    Keyton walked them to the door, grinning and slapping them on the back as they left his office. Leland looked up, his eyebrows rising slightly as they came toward him. He glanced at the clock, seeming surprised.
    “That was prompt. I do hope you didn’t rush on account of my pointing out Mr. Marshall has other appointments to keep,” he said as he stood.
    “No, nothing to worry about Leland,” Keyton said from the doorway. “I’m just going to call Judy, see if she’ll be ready soon. If you could see Mr. Price and Mr. Thompson safely back through security, you can call Simon and tell him I’ll be ready to leave in under ten minutes.”
    “Of course, Mr. Marshall.” Leland picked up the receiver of the phone on his desk. When Keyton closed the door, Leland turned to glance at them. “I’ll call Simon now. Keyton’s driver will need a few minutes to get from the parking lot to the reserved section out front. Traffic is always a nightmare around here after hours.”
    Troy placed a hand on Steven’s arm and