Read Online Some Like It in Handcuffs by Christine Warner - Free Book Online Page B

down. It reminded her of that last time.” Slater’s voice was hard.
    “Yeah, but that was over twenty-years ago. You’re off the hook due to time restraints.” Tasha’s chuckle sounded unsure, tense.
    Sunny’s heart stuck in her throat, and she held her breath in an effort to hear every word.
    “Her words exactly. ‘Murder doesn’t have a statute of limitations.’” Slater’s voice grew near as their footsteps crossed the old wood floor.
    Sunny ducked around the corner and flattened herself against the wall as they stepped into the mudroom.
    “If ya happen ta see her, don’t mention I told ya.” Slater finished as they stepped through into the bar.
    “No way, I don’t want to get on her bad side.”
    With her hand to her throat, Sunny expelled a long breath of air. Murder. Statute of Limitations. Did Slater know something about Karina’s murder, something more than she originally suspected. But, it didn’t make any sense for Tasha to be involved in any of this. Heck, she was only a couple of years older than Sunny. She would’ve been a child when Karina was killed. But, what if Slater was using her to keep tabs on Benny? Learn what he knew and thought. It almost made sense. Sunny had noticed Tasha and Benny together more often than before, but hadn’t thought much about it. She assumed Benny asked Tasha to help with the new hires and take a leadership role with the other dancers.
    Sunny swallowed hard, her heart still pounding against her ribs. It sounded like they were talking about Karina. All the words and the time line fit. But who was the mystery woman they both seemed wary of?
    She walked inside the room and punched in. A chill ran over her skin, and she rubbed her hands up and down over her arms in a swift movement.
    The letter she’d received today was still tucked inside her purse. Someone had placed it in her mailbox, and it wasn’t the mailman, only her name appeared on the envelope, no address or stamp. The shaky penmanship, written with a bold black marker, commanded her attention with the four simple words.
    Benny’s closest friend knows.
    Her stomach grew queasy with tension and excitement. Whoever wanted to help her had been right at her front door. Benny was the first person to come to mind. He always had a black marker somewhere on his person, be it his pocket, or gripped in his fingers when he was at the bar. But it wasn’t like a bold black Sharpie marker was uncommon.
    It all made her fear for Benny. Maybe he knew more of what happened to Karina than he let on. He could be afraid of Slater, question his involvement, but with no proof he sent Sunny the messages so she’d dig deeper. All the thoughts jumbled inside her head and she pressed her fingers to her temples. If she had time alone with Judson she’d tell him what she’d overheard, show him the note and get his thoughts.
    Sunny turned on her heel coming face to face with her boss.
    “Whoa, you surprised me.” Her palm covered her heart. “What’s up?”
    Benny steadied her, his hands firm on her upper arms. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to talk to you before you hit the floor.”
    “Sure, what’s going on?” She shrugged from his touch, unable to get a grip on her instincts. She trusted Benny, but now she wasn’t so sure she should.
    “The guy from the other night is back.”
    Great, he’s already arrived.
    “Where is he?” With an unsteady hand she placed a length of hair behind her ear. Her nerves were on edge and a breathless feeling invaded her lungs. She doubted her ability to get through the night with Judson there to monitor her every move.
    “He’s sitting at the bar, in the corner.”
    “Okay, thanks for the heads up.”
    “Sunny,” he paused, genuine concern etched across his face. “He asked for you by name.”
    “He did?” Sunny hooked her thumb into the belt loop of her shorts to hide the shakiness of her hands.
    Well, it’s improv night at Benny’s Backyard