Read Online Ricochet by Sandra Brown - Free Book Online

behind Duncan and noticed his curiosity. “The housekeeper,” she said in a low rumble. “Something Berry. Blew into the kitchen twenty minutes ago like she owned the place.” She chuckled. “’Bout keeled over when she saw my big black self sitting at the breakfast table.”
    “So she doesn’t live in?”
    She shook her head. “Apparently the judge called her to duty and she came running in no time flat. She’s prepared to do battle for him.”
    From over his shoulder, Duncan gave the policewoman a significant look. “For him, but not for Mrs. Laird?”
    “All the time she was boiling water and preparing the tea tray, she didn’t say boo to the lady of the house. You couldn’t melt an ice cube on that one’s ass.” She raised her shoulders in an indolent shrug. “I call ’em as I see ’em.”
    The judge stood up and warmly embraced his wife when she rejoined him. They were talking together softly, but Crofton was close enough to overhear, so Duncan reasoned that Judge Laird was only asking his wife how she was faring.
    Crofton, trying to balance the dainty teacup and saucer on his knee while jotting something in his notebook, greeted Duncan and DeeDee’s appearance with evident relief. “I’ll turn it over to the detectives now.” He set the china on the nearest table, then left the room along with Beale.
    Duncan and DeeDee took the twin chairs facing the sofa, where the judge and his wife sat shoulder to shoulder, thigh to thigh. Neither had touched the steaming cups of tea in front of them. Laird offered some to Duncan and DeeDee.
    Duncan declined. DeeDee smiled up at the sour-faced housekeeper. “Do you have a Diet Coke?”
    She left the room to fetch the drink.
    “Have they removed it?”
    Duncan supposed the judge was referring to the corpse. “Yes. On his way to the morgue.”
    “Where he belongs,” he muttered with distaste.
    Elise Laird tipped her head down. Duncan noticed her hands were tightly clasped together and that she had pulled the sleeves of her sweater down over the backs of them as though to keep them warm.
    The housekeeper returned with DeeDee’s Diet Coke, served over ice in a crystal tumbler on a small plate with a doily and a lacy cloth napkin. To her credit, and Duncan’s surprise, DeeDee thanked the housekeeper graciously. Any other time, she would have been breaking up with laughter, or scorn, over such pretentious finery.
    At a motion from the judge, Mrs. Berry withdrew, leaving the four of them alone. The judge placed his arm around his wife and drew her closer to him. He looked at her with concern, then focused on Duncan.
    “We’ve told the other officers everything we know. They took copious notes. I don’t know what more we could possibly add, although we want to do everything we can to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.” His expression was earnest, concerned.
    “I hate asking you to retell what happened, but Detective Bowen and I need to hear it all for ourselves,” Duncan said. “I’m sure you understand.”
    “Of course. Let’s just get it over with so I can take Mrs. Laird to bed.”
    “I’ll make it as painless as possible,” Duncan said, flashing his most reassuring grin. “However, during our questioning, Judge, I’ll ask you not to offer a comment or answer unless directly asked. Please say nothing that could influence Mrs. Laird’s recollection. It’s important that we hear—”
    “I understand the procedure, Detective.” Although the judge’s interruption was rude and his tone brusque, his expression remained as pleasant as Duncan’s. “Please proceed.”
    The man’s condescending tone grated on Duncan. The judge was accustomed to running the show. In his courtroom, he was the despotic authority. But this was Duncan’s arena and he was the ringmaster. Lest his anger get him into trouble, Duncan thought it best to let DeeDee begin, ease them into it. He’d take over when it got down to the nitty-gritty.
    He gave DeeDee a