Read Online Old Loves Die Hard (A Mac Faraday Mystery) by Lauren Carr - Free Book Online

was soft spoken. As abrasive as she was, he was compromising.
    “Hello, Mac,” the judge greeted him in a somber tone, while holding out his hand to him. “Natasha and I came to personally offer our condolences on your loss.”
    Stunned by the visit from the couple who lived over three hours away, Mac accepted their condolence, while holding Gnarly back by his collar. Gnarly liked to check out every visitor by giving them a nasal pat-down. Mac invited them in to the living room.
    Natasha and Garrison reacted with surprise at seeing that their host had company.
    “I hope we’re not interrupting anything,” the judge said, while easing Gnarly’s snout away from his pants’ pockets.
    After assuring them that they weren’t, Mac introduced them. “This is Archie Monday.” Not sure what to call her, he stumbled over the words, “She’s my friend.” He realized, even as he said it, that his tone sounded guilty.
    He didn’t like the knowing glances that Garrison and Natasha exchanged upon hearing the introduction.
    After he had finished checking out the judge, Gnarly moved on to examine Natasha, who gave his snout a quick swat. She might as well have called him out for a duel. The German shepherd backed up and sat with his eyes on her.
    He dared her to make her next shot.
    Judge Sutherland waited until after they had taken seats on the sofa across from Mac and Archie to explain the reason for their visit. “I don’t know if you’re aware, but Natasha has suffered a loss as well. You see, she and Stephen Maguire were still married.”
    Archie said, “I’m sorry to hear that.”
    “Thank you for your kindness.” Natasha blinked away non-existent tears while wiping one away from her cheek.
    Having seen the defense attorney in action in the court-room, Mac was very familiar with her techniques. She was like any predator. She laid low and observed her prey before devouring it, with no regrets for doing so.
    Garrison went on in his methodical tone, as if he were explaining the intricate steps of a murder plan to a jury. “For a variety of reasons, which we won’t bore you with, Mac, Natasha and Stephen had made a decision to remain married while living separate lives. They were still each other’s beneficiaries. As a matter of fact, Stephen had left Natasha sole heir to his estate, which leads to the reason for our visit.”
    Natasha jumped in. “I’d like to know when I can pick up Stephen’s stuff.”
    Mac asked, “What stuff?”
    “The stuff he left at Christine’s house,” Natasha said. “He left it all there while he was looking for another place to live. Since he left everything to me, then it’s mine, and I want to make arrangements to pick it up. Also, I want any personal effects that he had left in his room at your hotel. The police have taken it into evidence, but surely they don’t need it. Everyone knows what happened. Christine flipped out and gave Stephen what he had coming for a long time. The police don’t need to keep his personal effects to prove that.”
    Garrison said, “We tried to talk to the police chief about it, but he’s been stonewalling us. We were told that you two are pretty good buddies. Maybe you can use your influence—”
    “You and Maguire haven’t been living together for years,” Mac replied. “According to my information, he’s lived with at least three other women since leaving you.”
    “But we did remain friends,” she said.
    “Friendly enough for him to leave you everything,” Mac said. “Sounds to me like a motive for wanting him dead.”
    When Natasha made a move, threatening to jump across the room to physically force Mac to give her what she wanted, she became aware of Gnarly between them.
    The dog’s unblinking eyes were on her. 
    Easing back into her seat, Natasha said, “Since there’s no shortage of rich criminals looking to get away with murder, I’m very wealthy in my own right. Compared to my own financial portfolio, his estate isn’t