Read Online Murder Deja Vu by Polly Iyer - Free Book Online

once and for all so he could put that ugly chapter of his life behind him and move on. He’s been in limbo. Now, with the murder here, it’s not only my wish any more, it’s a necessity.”
    “Someone killed a woman and made it look like Reece did it. Why?”
    “Beats the shit out of me. But I’m wondering if it’s something else. If Clarence’s poking into Karen Sitton’s murder set someone off.” Jeraldine polished off the last of her drink. “I’d feel responsible if a girl died, but a murder with the same M.O. incriminating Reece all over again would sure draw the police away from the real killer, wouldn’t it?”
    “I never thought of that.”
    “We’ll see what happens.” She pushed away her drink. “I’ve had enough. Good thing I’m staying here. I don’t have far to go. Okay, honey, so tell me, how in hell did you marry a prick like Robert Minette? He makes Attila the Hun seem like Mr. Rogers. Were you fucking drunk?”
    Dana laughed for the first time that day. “A moment of bad judgment, I’m afraid. But I didn’t know it until a long time later. It’s hard to believe now, but Robert can be charming when it suits his needs.”
    “I’ve known men like him. He’s a coward and a bully, and I bet he beat up on you too. I’m not asking you to tell me, but he’s the type. Fuck him.”
    “Jesus, Jeraldine. The last thing I want to do is fuck Robert Minette.”
    Jeraldine burst into laughter that almost shook her bosom out of her jacket. “Honey, you’re gonna do fine.” She waved her hand in the air and called, “Chaz, honey. Come on over here, darling, and take our order.”

Chapter Thirteen
The Bombshell

    C larence started out late Monday morning, hoping Rudy’s Bar opened for lunch. Old Micah was right about Emory. It wasn’t much more than the blink of an eye with only small print on an I-26 exit sign en route to Asheville. The main street consisted of a couple of city blocks, with mill houses lining the side streets. The surrounding area was pretty, though—a few small farms bordered by mountains. He could easily retire around here. Better weather than up north, for sure.
    It didn’t take but a minute to find Rudy’s, sandwiched between Belle’s Fashions and Tucker Hardware. A few people were already cooling off with a noonday beer, watching the sports channel. Some others were in booths eating what looked like barbeque sandwiches. If there was a smoking ban in North Carolina, no one at Rudy’s had heard. The place reeked of cigarettes. At least he’d worn jeans and a shirt so he didn’t stand out, not until he opened his Midwest, Yankee-tainted mouth. He took a stool.
    “What’s that sandwich they’re eating?” he asked the bartender.
    “Pork barbeque. Want one?”
    “Yeah, and whatever you have on tap.
    The bartender was a big guy, six-two, at least, with a scruffy beard, ponytail, and bulging muscles stretching the fabric of a worn Charlie Daniels T-shirt. “You want to know if Rayanne was in here Friday night?”
    Clarence smiled. Small towns. “Micah or the woman?”
    “Woman’s my wife’s aunt. She called this morning. Said to expect this Yankee fellow checking what went on Friday night. Rayanne’s murder’s the biggest thing to hit the Carolinas since Eric Rudolph.”
    “Did you know her?”
    “You trying to get that murderer off?”
    “Not if he’s guilty, and he isn’t.”
    “How can you be so sure?”
    “I know him. He served time for a murder he didn’t commit. Someone’s setting him up.”
    The bartender wiped down the counter, his gaze solid on Clarence. “That happened to a friend of mine. Served eighteen miserable months before they nabbed the bastard who really robbed the convenience store.”
    “How would you like to serve fifteen years, hard time?”
    “I wouldn’t. That sucks.”
    “Yes, it does.”
    “You have to admit, it’s a bad coincidence.”
    “It is, and it happened to my man.”
    “You a cop?
    “Used to be. I’m