Read Online Sarah Woods Mystery Series (Volume 6) by Jennifer L. Jennings - Free Book Online Page A

figured she had to forgive me at some point.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yesterday afternoon, she finally agreed to have dinner with me. I picked her up and headed downtown. On the way there, we got into a fight, and she made me pull over so she could get out of the car.”
    “Where did this happen?”
    “On Islington Street, near the Irving Gas station. I begged her to get back in the car. She told me to go to hell. I was pissed so I took off.”
    “You just left her there?”
    “It's not like I dropped her off in the middle of nowhere. There was a gas station just a few hundred feet away.” He shook his head with remorse. “Believe me, for the rest of my life I'll regret letting her get out of the car. I didn't think it would be the last time I'd ever see her.” He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Now I'll never be able to make things up to her.”
    “Do you remember the time?”
    He opened his eyes and looked at me. “I don't remember the precise time. I'd guess around 4:45.”
    “Is there anyone who can confirm that?”
    “Confirm what?”
    “Confirm she was seen getting out of your car?”
    “I don't know. Maybe other drivers on the road?”
    Could I trust this man's story to be true? He was, after all, a convicted killer. However, he seemed truly distraught over the news of his daughter's death but I'd been fooled before. “Where have you been living since your release? You have a job?”
    He backed up a step and glanced around apprehensively. “I see what you're trying to do and I'm not falling for it. You'll have the cops track me down and arrest me for stealing cars. Better yet, they'll probably try and pin my daughter's murder on me, too. No thanks, I'd rather die than go back to prison.”
    “Did you kill your daughter?” I said, just to see his reaction. Guilty people tend to get all defensive.
    “I might be a criminal and a shitty dad,” he said, “but I'm not a monster.”
    I decided to take this opportunity and ask a few questions. Cooperation is usually another indication of sincerity. “Did Claire mention anything about the money to you?”
    He seemed genuinely confused. “What money?”
    “We believe Claire was mixed up in a dangerous situation and it got her killed. Did she ever mention a guy by the name of Norton Cline? He's a financial advisor in town with a reputation of ripping off his clients.”
    “Never heard of him. How is he involved in my daughter's death?”
    I decided it was time to cease this conversation before I gave away too much. I probably already had.
    “Look,” Mick said, taking a step toward me and lowering his voice. “I don't know what my daughter was into but, I'm telling you, she would never break the law unless someone forced her. She was a good kid.”
    “Mick, if you refuse to speak with the cops about your daughter, could you at least give me your cell phone number where I can reach you?”
    He paused to look at me with narrowed eyes. “The cops can trace me with the built in GPS. I wasn't born yesterday.”
    “If you're so afraid of going back to jail, then why are you stealing cars?”
    “Because I can't afford to buy my own. I haven't been able to find a job since I got out.” He looked away as if embarrassed. “Truth is, I can barely afford to buy myself lunch. The short term apartment they gave me is infested with rodents, too. I'd be better off living on the street taking handouts.”
    “If you return the truck, they might not arrest you.”
    He seemed to ponder that comment. Eventually, he reached into his pocket and produced a set of keys, then tossed them to me. I caught them in mid-air.
    “The truck is parked out front. Maybe you can tell the owner not to the leave his keys in the ignition next time.”
    “Wait, you're returning the vehicle?”
    “Look, lady, I don't know who you are but I'm pretty sure you're not a cop. Otherwise, you would have arrested me already. So, exactly how are