Read Online The Killing Edge by Richard; Forrest - Free Book Online

didn’t allow their employees to dress like that. Although in her case there weren’t many places to put all she had. As he shut the door she turned toward him with a sulky and defiant sexuality.
    â€œYou wanted to see me?” It was a little girl voice.
    â€œI’m Chief Barnes. I have a few questions.”
    â€œI heard about Mrs. Bridger. Raleigh called me.” She seemed to slither deeper into the chair.
    The aura of sexuality about the young woman across the table brought L.C.’s image to his mind. It also explained how Raleigh might have gotten involved. Daily contact with Miss Devonshire, with a marriage that was the least bit rocky, and many men would be tempted.
    â€œWhat do you want from me?”
    â€œYou’re having an affair with Mr. Bridger.”
    Her eyes didn’t change. “I am his secretary. We work closely together and that makes people talk.”
    â€œMr. Bridger says he was with you at your apartment last night. Is that true?”
    She looked down at her nails before replying. “I could get in trouble if I don’t tell the truth.” It was more of a statement than question.
    â€œWe have ways of checking.”
    â€œWe had a drink after work.”
    â€œAnd then went to your apartment?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œWe went to the Seaside Motel. That’s where we go every Friday. They keep a room for us.”
    â€œI see. And how long have these little office parties been going on?”
    â€œAbout six months.”
    â€œHas he ever said he was in love with you?”
    Her look was a combination of shock that changed to defiant pride. She tossed her hair. “Yes.”
    â€œHow long were you together last night?”
    â€œHe left about 7:30 or after.”
    That tied in with Raleigh’s initial story of the near accident outside the liquor store, and fit into what the store owner had said. “Did he say anything about his wife, Mauve Bridger?”
    â€œLast night?”
    â€œAnytime?”
    â€œThat they were going to get a divorce, that he was sick and tired of her, and she wasn’t anything like I was, if you know what I mean?”
    That opened an area that Will had no intention of exploring. “Did he say when he was getting a divorce?”
    â€œWell, not exactly. He used to tell me that when he was with me he couldn’t think of anyone else.”
    â€œThat’s very complimentary,” Will replied and wondered if she realized she was putting Raleigh’s neck under the guillotine, or was it some perverse pride that made her want the tawdry affair out in the open. “Did Mrs. Bridger know about your relationship with Raleigh?”
    Her eyes turned opaque. “Know?”
    â€œDid Raleigh ever mention that he’d discussed you with his wife, or had she found out about the affair some way?”
    â€œDid she keep a diary or something?”
    Will wondered why God so often put limited minds in beautiful bodies. “There are ways to find out, Sandra. It’s usually best, in cases such as this, to be completely truthful. That way, nothing can happen to you.”
    He sensed that he had made some sort of impression on her. The blankness faded from her eyes and was replaced with a feigned innocence. “She called me at work the day before yesterday and said she’d had us followed.”
    â€œI see.” Verifiable, Will thought. There would be records of bills, payments of some sort to a private detective. On the other hand, if the accusation followed the usual pattern, it was merely an astute guess on Mauve’s part. “What else did she say?”
    â€œThe bitch. She said that I had better look for another job, out of town, and if I ever saw her husband again she’d … she’d …”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œCut my guts out. That’s what she said in that finishing school accent of hers. She said she’d cut my guts out and