Read Online Judas Kiss by J.T. Ellison - Free Book Online Page A

on the sofa. He’d stopped actively crying but was sniveling, wiping his nose with the back of his wrist.
    Taylor took a seat in the chintz armchair next to him. She waited for him to gather himself, handed him a tissue from the crochet-covered box sitting on the end table next to her. He wiped his eyes and cleared his throat.
    â€œMr. Wolff, can I ask where you’ve been?”
    When he didn’t answer immediately, Taylor sized him up. He was a handsome, well-made man, with a thick shock of black hair, flashing black eyes, and deep stubble along his cleft chin. Looking at him, Taylor thought about the fair Hayden and wondered, just for a minute. Two dark-haired, dark-eyed parents, and their offspring a blonde with clear blue eyes. Interesting, genetics.
    With a huge sniff, Wolff finally began to speak. “I have a property getting ready to open in Savannah, Georgia. I was down there overseeing the last bits and pieces. There’s a million things to be done, and I’m the one who has to get the checks written.”
    â€œYou build houses? Wolff Construction?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhen did you leave for Georgia?”
    â€œFriday, around noon. I’ve been going every two weeks now that we’re getting close to wrapping the project.”
    â€œYou normally drive?”
    â€œYeah. I’m a successful developer, but I’m not made of money. It’s cheaper that way.”
    â€œSeems like a long trip,” Fitz observed.
    â€œI like the drive. It clears my head.”
    â€œDid you usually spend the weekend when you made the drive?” Taylor asked.
    â€œYes. I come back on Monday afternoon.”
    â€œWhen’s the last time you spoke to your wife?”
    Wolff was quiet for a moment. “Saturday morning.”
    â€œThat was the last time?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œDid you try to call her again after you spoke on Saturday?”
    â€œYes. I wanted to read Hayden a story Saturday night. It was our tradition.”
    â€œShe didn’t answer?”
    â€œNo.” Wolff’s voice wavered, but fresh tears stayed in check.
    â€œWeren’t you concerned that you couldn’t reach Corinne?”
    Todd flinched at the mention of his wife’s name. “I wasn’t really paying attention, God help me. I was so caught up in the problems we were having on-site that when I didn’t reach her, I just left a message. I figured she was out with her sisters anyway. When I went out of town, she usually did a girls’ night with friends, or hung out with Michelle and Nicole and watched movies. She’d get a babysitter for Hayden sometimes, take advantage of some private time. I tried to call her again at around ten, but when the answering machine kicked on, I hung up. Tried her cell once, then went to bed myself. She didn’t like me checking up on her.”
    â€œAnd you tried on Sunday?”
    â€œI called Sunday around noon, and she didn’t pick up. But again, it didn’t worry me. She’s very independent, doesn’t need me around to keep her entertained. Since I have to go out of town so often, she’s used to it. How did she, how was she…”
    He started crying again. “Who did this, Lieutenant? I love my wife. We got along, had a beautiful little girl, a son on the way. We were happy. This isn’t the kind of thing that happens to happy people.”
    Oh, if it were only that easy, Taylor thought. The good and happy people get to lead normal lives, bad things only happen to bad people. Yeah, right. “Unfortunately, I can’t answer that for you right now, Mr. Wolff. Let’s talk some more about your interests in Savannah. Where do you stay when you go down there?”
    â€œThere’s a Hampton Inn down the street from the property. My secretary can give you all the particulars.”
    â€œThat’s where you stay every time?”
    â€œYes. It’s convenient, and clean. And