Read Online Tell Me No Lies by Annie Solomon - Free Book Online Page B

not armed. He'd been lucky once, would his streak hold? He thought about the randomness of the universe, the sad, sick fact that no matter what he did, survival boiled down to chance and fate.
    He had to move. Had to stop debating, second-guessing and just plain move. A year ago he wouldn't have been having this little heart-to-heart with himself. He'd already know what to do and done it.
    He made himself breathe. Steady. Too much adrenaline, and he'd be no good to anyone.
    He inhaled. It was like taking in his own life force shivery, icy hot. Pushing through the terror, he forced himself around the corner and back outside. What had he seen?
    A woman frozen in place holding an empty picture frame.
    A familiar woman.
    Relief flooded him. He grabbed a moment to compose himself, then, mouth dry, he stepped into the apartment, gun still drawn.
    Alex Baker stared at him, face flushed, gray eyes wide with shock.
    Well, at least he'd gotten his answer she'd lied. As the totality of her deceit washed over him, he saw her stiffen. The disbelief in her face mutated into haughtiness. He had to hand it to her the look she gave him made him seem the trespasser.
    But they both knew who didn't belong. And all her Russian millions couldn't change it.

5
    What are you doing here?" Hank holstered his weapon but gave Alex a look that was equally intimidating.
    She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
    He fisted his hands, opened them. "You know, I'd like to wring your neck, but I'll take this slow and easy. One, you obviously knew Luka Kole, or you wouldn't be here. So you lied to me." A beat of silence. "Don't say anything," he said dryly. "Just nod when I get it right." She didn't move. "Fine. I'll take that as a yes. Who is he? What is he to you?"
    "I... I don't know what you're talking about."
    A lousy bluff if he ever heard one. "You just happen to be here ravaging a dead man's apartment? A dead man you claim not to know?"
    Her skin, already pale, was nearly dead white. She dropped the picture frame she'd been clutching and began gathering things a tote bag, a purse. "I don't have to answer to you. I haven't done anything wrong." Her voice was cold; that lady-of-the-manor thing again.
    "Except lying to the police, breaking and entering. Oh, and destroying private property."
    "I didn't do this." She made a move toward the door. He blocked her way.
    "Yeah? Who did?"
    She didn't reply.
    "Who is Luka Kole? What do you know about him? What's your relationship to him?"
    "Let me pass."
    "Dream on, Countess."
    "You can't keep me here." She was quivering, the fine tremors rippling through her. She struggled with them, raising her head and squaring her shoulders, working'to conquer the fear. He admired that, but admiration wouldn't get him where he wanted to go.
    He stepped forward. She backed away. "Who is Luka Kole, Alex?" Her jaw tightened, but she didn't answer. He took another step, she stepped back. "Did you have anything to do with his murder?"
    "Don't be ridiculous."
    "Then what are you doing here?"
    "I... I "
    He raised his voice. "Dammit, who is Luka Kole?" She bumped up against the remains of the couch. A small push, and she landed on it. Braced on the sofa's arm and spine, he loomed over her. "Talk to me, Alex, or I'll cuff you and take you to the station and put you in a holding cell."
    She gazed up at him, cool and resentful. But below the surface he saw something else, despair or hopelessness. An opening, one he took.
    "Who is Luka Kole?" He bore down on her, voice hard and unforgiving. "Why did you lie to me? What do you know about his murder?"
    "Nothing."
    "Stop lying."
    "I'm not lying."
    "Yes, you are. Who is Luka Kole?" He shook the couch, and her body jerked forward and back. He shouted at her. "Who is Luka Kole? What do you know about him? Who is he?"
    "My father," she shouted back. "All right? He was my father." Her voice cracked. "He was my ... my father." She looked away, out toward the chaos of the room, as though she