Read Online Suspicion by Christiane Heggan - Free Book Online Page B

sunk. "A business venture," she improvised as she took her own plate to the table. "Something I thought was quite risky."
      "But I don’t understand why he came to you. He knows you don’t have that kind of money."
      Encouraged by Alison’s calm reasoning, Kate met her gaze. "He was hoping I would let him borrow your trust fund."
      Too late, Kate realized her mistake. Rather than be outraged at Eric’s gall, Alison turned on her, eyes flashing. "And you told him no? Without asking me?"
      "Of course I told him no. That money is for your education, Alison. I wouldn’t touch a penny of it myself, no matter how badly I needed it, much less risk it on some crazy venture."
      "It’s my trust fund, isn’t it? Which means I have the
      right to do what I want with it. And I want Daddy to have it."
      "Not as long as I’m the trustee. When you turn twenty one and the trust reverts to you, you’ll be free to do what you want with it. Not before."
      Alison’s body was rigid. "You are so mean, Mom. And so unfair. You’d think Daddy had asked you for the moon. It’s only money, you know. My money," she emphasized.
      In a rare display of frustration, Kate hit the table with the palm of her hand, causing the plates to rattle. "Dammit, Alison, why do you always have to take his side? Why can’t you see things my way for a change? I’m only trying to protect you, to do what’s best for you."
      Flipping her hair behind her shoulder, Alison gathered her schoolbooks. "Yeah, right."
      "Where are you going?"
      "School. Where else?"
      "You haven’t touched your pancakes-"
      "You eat them. I lost my appetite." She scooped up her lunch money from the island in the center of the room. When she turned around again, her eyes were flat. "I want to move back into Grandpa’s house," she said in that defiant tone that had become so familiar. "And after Dad is married, I want to live with him and Megan. They said I could."
      Kate’s heart sank. Although Alison had made no secret that she was unhappy with the move to Cleveland Park, she had never come right out and said she wanted to leave. "You don’t want to do that," she said, rising from her chair.
      "Yes, I do."
      Then, without bothering to say goodbye, Alison stalked out of the room.
      Kate started to go after her, but it was too late. The front door had already slammed shut.
      Kate was putting the breakfast dishes into the dishwasher when the phone rang. Reaching for the extension on the wall, she picked it up. "Hello?"
      "Kate. Thank God you’re there." Eric’s voice was strained, shaky.
      Kate briefly closed her eyes. "Eric, what in God’s name is it going to take for you to understand-"
      "Gina is dead."
      "Who?"
      "Gina! The woman who was blackmailing me. She was strangled. And the police think I did it. Christ, haven’t you heard the morning news? It’s on every radio and television station."
      As the first wave of shock receded, Kate leaned against the wall. "Where are you?"
      "Never mind that. I didn’t do it, Kate. You’ve got to believe me. I wasn’t even in Washington when she was killed."
      "Where were you?"
      His voice dropped. "Passed out in my car. I felt sorry for myself after I left your house last night, so I tied one on. I didn’t wake up until seven-thirty this morning. That’s when I heard the news. And before you ask, no, I have no witness. My only alibi is for the time I spent in a bar between eleven-thirty and midnight."
      The attorney in Kate took over. "Have they established the time of death yet?"
      "I don’t know. That’s why I’m calling. You’ve got to find out, Kate."
      "No, Eric. I’m not getting involved in this."
      "Kate, for God’s sake, I’m not asking you to get involved. All I want is for you to call someone at Metro P.D. and find out when Gina was killed. Is that really too much to ask?"
      The desperation in his voice struck a chord.