Read Online Mesozoic Murder by Christine Gentry - Free Book Online Page A

dropped like the operculum of a Paleozoic snail. She snapped it shut. Nick had talked about his job at the last society meeting. He had told her he enjoyed it. Realizing that he had lied through his teeth was a jolt. Just stick to the subject, Ansel coached herself. Karen was spilling everything, a perfect time to pump her for more information.
    â€œWhen did Nick quit?”
    â€œJanuary. A year and a half ago.” Karen pulled a cigarette from a pack sitting on a chromed end table. The gold head of an eagle-shaped lighter flipped back to reveal hot blue flame. Acrid smoke curled around her head like Medusa snakes.
    â€œWhy did he quit?”
    Karen shrugged. “Said he was tired of the job. Claimed he was looking for another. He did that museum gig around April last year, but it only lasted for a few months.”
    â€œWhat was he doing with all his free time?”
    â€œSitting around the house. Working on his computer. We fought a lot. Nicky finally left last June. When he split, Alex moved in. I told that snoopy detective the same thing when he showed up. I have nothing to hide.”
    Ansel considered this wealth of information, staunchly enduring the secondhand smoke irritating her sensitive stomach. “What was he doing on the computer?”
    â€œI don’t know, and I don’t care.”
    â€œDo you know anyone named Griffin?”
    Karen ran a free hand through her shoulder-length blonde mane. “Can’t say that I do. Why?”
    â€œNick mentioned the name. It’s not someone in the society and, if it’s a relative, I’d like to make contact and offer my sympathies.”
    â€œAll of Nicky’s American family are dead. His relatives in Greece haven’t bothered to speak to him since he was a boy. I don’t see how anyone could miss hearing about the murder. Nicky’s finally getting his fifteen minutes of fame, isn’t he?”
    The heartless comment reminded Ansel of Cameron’s complaints that Nick had wanted worldly shortcuts to success. “Do you have any idea who would harm Nick?”
    â€œWhat about me? I could be in danger. Not to mention how this makes me look. I’ll be a pariah. Don’t get me wrong. Nicky and I were madly in love at one time. He changed. I changed. I didn’t hate him. I accepted things and moved on. We both agreed to start the divorce process in a few weeks. Dead or alive, I want Nicky out of my life.”
    Ansel stiffened. “Karen, Nick didn’t just die. He was murdered. He must have been involved in something very dangerous.”
    â€œI have no idea what he was up to. The last time I heard from him was the end of May. We talked about the divorce. Nicky never shared the details of his new life.”
    â€œSomething happened. Aren’t you curious?”
    â€œNot at all.” She flicked ash into a pink marble ashtray. “I don’t need details.”
    The jangle of keys in the front door interrupted them. A tall man quickly entered and approached the living room. When he realized Karen wasn’t alone, he halted. “What’s up, babe?” he asked, making a point of staring at Ansel. A bright yellow tag stuck to the man’s shirt pocket read, bird haven. manager. alexander king .
    Karen bolted to her feet. “Alex, what are you doing here?”
    â€œI forgot some invoices. Who is this?”
    Ansel took in his appearance, comparing it to Nick. He wore a kaleidoscopic pullover sweater, white twill pants, and olive leather loafers. Another model cut-out, she assessed. The rugged outdoors variety.
    Karen puffed her cigarette. “This is Ansel Phoenix. You remember. She’s the president of that group Nicky belonged to. She came to offer condolences.”
    The resident Adonis shifted his rapier, green-eyed gaze back toward Ansel. His long, slicked-back blond hair and square face with a fashionable hair-stubbled chin didn’t hide his