Read Online MURDER ON A DESIGNER DIET by Shawn Reilly Simmons - Free Book Online

criminal investigation, I’d keep your theories to yourself. You get me?”
    Penelope bit her bottom lip and looked over at Joey. His arms were crossed and he had his back to them. “Is there anything else you can do?”
    â€œWho, me?” Officer Gomez said with a look of surprise. “I did do something. I believed you were telling the truth and I didn’t arrest you, even though I had more than enough to bring you in.” She started ticking off her fingers. “Trespassing, resisting arrest, breaking and entering, assaulting an officer…”
    â€œAssaulting? Come on,” Penelope said, taking a step away from her. “I was just trying to find out what happened to Max.”
    â€œAnd now you have to leave it to the police. If he was there and there is evidence that he was involved with drugs or anything else illegal in that apartment, we’ll be the ones pursuing him. Don’t let me find you in the middle of this again, or I will bring you in.”
    Penelope stared at her for a moment. “Can you at least tell me if they do find anything out about Max?”
    Officer Gomez sighed, putting a hand on her hip. She shook her head and pulled a leather business card case from her back pocket. “Here’s my card. You can call me if you want. I’ll let you know what I can. But remember what I told you. Don’t get in the way.”
    Penelope took the card from her and ran her fingers over the upraised letters of her name: Denise Gomez. “Thanks.”
    Officer Gomez sniffed and shook her head as she watched Penelope walk away.

Chapter 11

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    Penelope and Joey rode in the back of the cab in silence, Joey staring out the window at the Hudson River as they traveled down the West Side Highway.
    â€œAre you okay?” Penelope asked, looking at the back of his head.
    Joey sighed and remained silent, both of them rocking on the seat when the cab braked suddenly for slow traffic.
    â€œJoey, what happened?” Penelope asked quietly.
    â€œI winged the guy,” Joey said. “I know I hit him in the arm, but he kept running. I didn’t want to get too far away from you in case anyone else came out. We never should have gone over there in the first place. It was stupid of me and now...” He shook his head.
    â€œNow what?” Penelope asked.
    â€œNow I’m on administrative leave until they can clear the shooting. I have to answer not only to my boss but the Manhattan borough chief and explain to them why I discharged my weapon on a residential street while off duty. Not to mention after a night of drinking. I’ll be lucky if I just get suspended after everyone is through with me.” Joey crossed his arms tightly and stared out through the windshield, willing the traffic to move again.
    â€œJoey, I’m so sorry,” Penelope said.
    Joey shook his head. “I was worried about you, Penny, about leaving you behind. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you. If I had caught the guy, if I’d apprehended him and proven he’d been the one up in Christian’s apartment, things would be a lot better. But right now, they just have my word and not much else to go on.”
    Penelope stared down at her hands as she twisted them in her lap.
    Joey rapped his knuckles on the Plexiglas divider to get the cab driver’s attention. “Hey, you mind getting off this?”
    The cab driver nodded and inched into the left lane so he could take the next exit.
    â€œJoey, I’m sorry I got you involved,” Penelope said. “I can’t believe it got to be such a mess.”
    After another minute, the cab freed itself from the gridlock on the highway and began moving quickly again along the bumpy streets of lower Manhattan.
    â€œLook, I know we’ve got something here, you and me. But Max and Arlena, they’re a big part of your life too. I want to be sure I’ll be a priority to you if