Read Online The Betrayal of Lies by Debra Burroughs - Free Book Online

scene was staged, then…” Emily considered the possibilities.
    “Then perhaps Elise wasn’t kidnapped at all.” Colin finished her thought.
    ~*~
    They headed back to the police station, calling the Serenity Health Club on the way.
    “May I speak to Jake Mitchell, please?” Emily said.
    “Sorry, he’s gone for the day,” was the receptionist’s reply.
    Emily gave Colin the news before trying Jake’s cell number that was in the file Ernie had given.
    “It’s just going to voicemail.” Emily hung up. No need to leave a message and tip him off to the fact they were looking for him.
    “I’m going to drop you by your place, then I’ll get a warrant to search Jake’s apartment,” Colin said.
    “You don’t want me to come with you?”
    “It’s Thursday night. You have your weekly girls-only dinner with your friends, don’t you?”
    “Yes, but—”
    Shortly after Emily had become friends with Camille, Maggie, and Isabel, they had instituted the weekly ritual of meeting at one of their homes for a girls-only potluck dinner, each taking their turn hosting the get-together. This week it was Maggie’s turn and the theme was Southern comfort food. Since the other three women could cook circles around Emily, she was usually the one assigned to bring bread and green salad, or some other elementary dish she couldn’t mess up.
    “Take the evening off and we’ll look at the case with fresh eyes in the morning.”
    “But I’d rather stay with you, stay on the case.”
    “The money drop isn’t until tomorrow noon and I can handle the search. Besides, maybe you can get some information out of Maggie as to why her blood was found at the scene without me having to haul her down to the police station for questioning.”
    “Aha, that’s the real reason you want me to go to the girls’ dinner.” Emily chuckled. “You want me to do your dirty work. Well, all right. I’ll have to stop by the bakery before they close and pick up some sort of bread and a dessert that I can take, but maybe Camille can tell me a little more about Elise over dinner too.”
    ~*~
    Colin pulled his car into Emily’s driveway and walked her to the door.
    “You get all dolled up and have a good time, and I’ll see you in the morning, Babe.” He slid an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Leaning down, he kissed her softly.
    “You don’t want to come in for a while?” She flashed him what she hoped was her most seductive smile.
    “I’d better not, I won’t want to leave. I’ve still got work to do tonight.”
    “I know, but we’ve hardly had any time together today,” she said, lacing her arms around his neck.
    “What are you talking about?” He grinned down at her. “We’ve been together all day.”
    “Yeah, working,” she moaned. “I’m talking about a little one-on-one time.” Emily pulled his face down for another kiss.
    When their lips parted, he gazed into her eyes for a moment, then planted a quick kiss on the tip of her nose. “Think of Elise.”
    “Yes, poor Elise,” she reluctantly agreed. Her hands glided over his broad shoulders and down his muscular arms. “After what Nelly said, I wonder if maybe she planned this whole thing as a way of getting away from her husband.”
    “And having some money to start over with.” Colin nodded pensively. “We need to find out what that ex-con Jake Mitchell’s role is in all of this.”
    “I guess that’s my cue to let you go.” Emily smiled up at him, letting loose and taking a small step back. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    He pulled her into his arms again. “On second thought, how about one more for the road.”

Chapter 7
    Pulling her car in front of Maggie’s cottage-style house, not far from her own home in the quaint, older part of Paradise Valley, the clock in her dash told her the stop at the bakery made her a few minutes late. From the cars parked out front, she knew Isabel and Camille had already arrived.
    “Knock, knock,” Emily