Read Online Picture Them Dead by Brynn Bonner - Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t really tuned in to the outside world. My mother was dying and I wanted to spend every minute with her, and at the same time I was struggling to work out how I was going to live without her. It wasn’t a good time for me.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Soph,” Jack said, kneading my shoulder again. He took the plate from my lap and threw it onto the pizza box, then drew me over to put his arm around me. With his free hand he reached over to take mine and twirl the birthstone ring my parents had given me. It felt wonderful to be snuggled up like this, but this was always, always, when the elephant came strolling into the room. Our relationship had been stuck in the zone between friendship and romance for months now. And it seemed neither of us wanted to be the one to push it forward or try to rewind. Every time I steeled my nerves to bring it out into the open, I’d get two words in and choke. What if I screwed it up and lost Jack for good? There were signs, but on the other hand, what if I was completely misreading him and he was struggling for a way to let me down gently?
    â€œSoph?” he said now, his voice sounding far away. “Can we talk about something?”
    â€œSure,” I said, my heart thumping. “What is it?” I felt excitement, or dread, or maybe simple relief. Whatever emotional cocktail it was, it was making my pizza revolt.
    Just then the doorbell chimed and I wished more than anything for a vaporizing gun to zap whoever was standing on the front porch mashing that button.
    â€œHold that thought,” I said as I went to answer it.
    I found all six feet five of Denny Carlson standing on the front steps in the drizzling rain, a travel bag hanging from a strap on his shoulder. An airport taxi was pulling away from the curb. He held up a hand. “Tell Esme I know I’m supposed to call, but I just got in and my phone’s dead.”
    I motioned him in, holding the storm door open as wide as it would go to accommodate his bulk. He dropped his bag in the front hall and shook like a dog.
    â€œEsme’s not here, Denny. She’s out to dinner with Claire. I thought you weren’t due back until Friday.”
    Before he could answer, Esme’s SUV pulled into the drive, her headlights sweeping us as she maneuvered close to the house. She got out and ran to the porch, ducking inside as I pushed the storm door open again.
    â€œDenton, what’re you doing here?” she asked as she brushed water from her sleeves. “I thought you weren’t due back until Friday.”
    â€œThere’s an echo in here,” he said. “And welcome home, Denny, I’ve missed you.”
    â€œYes, yes, that, too,” Esme said, offering him a cheek to kiss.
    â€œThe chief called me back,” Denny said as we all moved into the family room. “Because of the homicide, which I understand you two knew about before anybody else.”
    â€œHow did Jennifer take it that the chief called you in?” Esme asked.
    â€œAbout like you’d expect,” Denny said, nodding a hello to Jack. “But truth be told, I think she may be relieved. Jennifer’s a good cop, but she’s too close to this one and she knows it. She wants to protect her dad, and that’s how it ought to be, but somebody’s got to be looking at the case with colder eyes.”
    â€œLet me fix you something to eat,” Esme said, and my heart felt a tiny lilt at the prospect of them moving to the kitchen so Jack and I could get back to that thing he wanted to talk about. But that hope was squelched when Denny declined.
    â€œA cup of coffee would be nice, if you wouldn’t mind. This isn’t an official visit. I came by because I wanted to see you, Esme. But since I’m here, I’d like you to fill me in on what you saw this morning—just a few questions. I know Jennifer took your statements, but I’d rather hear it from you two. I need to