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

not too expensive. I have to watch the bottom line, you know?”
    â€œYour company has made quite a name for itself. How’d you get into construction?”
    â€œThe honest way. I worked summers for my dad, he operated a heavy crane for a guy over in Ashland City. I had a chance to do little bit of everything. I love carpentry, love to see homes rise out of nothing. I’ve got a decent head for figures. It was a natural extension of my upbringing. Why does that matter?”
    Taylor crossed her legs. “We’re just talking here, Mr. Wolff. Is the business doing well?”
    â€œBetter than I deserve.”
    â€œNo money issues? You guys were doing okay financially?”
    â€œLieutenant, I hardly think—” He stopped, the implication of Taylor’s question hitting him. “You think I did this.”
    â€œI’m just trying to get a feeling for your life, Mr. Wolff. I’m not implying anything. Tell me about your finances. You mentioned that you drive instead of fly because it was cheaper. Is your business having problems?”
    He became very still. “Lieutenant, what happened here? What happened to my wife? No one will tell me.”
    The raw emotion tugged at Taylor’s center. She caught Fitz’s eye. Either this guy was one hell of an actor, or he genuinely didn’t know the manner in which his wife had died.
    â€œMr. Wolff,” Taylor tried again. “Do you and your wife fight?”
    He met her eyes, his gaze direct and unflinching, deep pools of pain. “Of course we fight. We’re not perfect. We have tiffs, like every other married couple in the world. If you’re asking if I killed my wife, the answer is no.”
    Taylor assessed him for a moment longer. Well, it was always worth judging the reaction to reality. She decided to take a chance. Something about Wolff’s demeanor made her believe him. A quick glance at Fitz confirmed her decision was sound.
    â€œWe don’t have a lot to go on right now, Mr. Wolff. Evidence is being collected, the investigation is underway. What I can tell you is your sister-in-law came to pick Corinne up for tennis this morning. Your wife was found in your bedroom, severely beaten. Your daughter seems unharmed.”
    â€œAnd the baby?”
    His voice cracked and tears spilled down his cheeks, silent silver tracks. The voice of a man condemned, a man who knew the answer to his question but forced himself to ask it anyway.
    â€œYour son didn’t survive the assault, Mr. Wolff. Your wife had been deceased for some time when she was discovered. I’m very sorry.”
    Wolff hiccupped, then stood and bolted. Taylor heard him vomiting in the guest bath, then water running to cover the noises.
    Fitz had sat silent throughout the exchange. “You think we need to bring him downtown?” he asked quietly.
    The water was still running in the bathroom. Taylor shook her head, but answered him under her breath. “I think he’s got enough on his plate right now. That was an awfully visceral reaction for someone who knew what was coming. He may be pulling one over on us, but I’m inclined to think he may be telling the truth. Either he’s quite the criminal mastermind—arranging to be out of town, hiring someone to kill his wife—or he doesn’t know what happened. Let’s give him the night with his daughter, and question him again in the morning. We’ve got a lot of background to go through, need to see what their finances are like, sift through all the evidence Tim collected. I say we write things up and call it a night.”
    â€œI agree. I’ll get him over to the Harrises’ so he can see his daughter.”
    â€œSounds good. I’m going to go into the office, make up the murder book, check in with the captain. I’ll see you there.”
    The toilet flushed and the water stopped running. Wolff came back into the room, his eyes bloodshot,