Read Online The Opposite of Dark by Debra Purdy Kong - Free Book Online Page A

figured the family had a lot of heart attacks and unwanted pregnancies to answer for, among other things.
    Even if she knew who the killer was, Casey doubted Mother would tell the authorities if it compromised her interests. That Mother was in Geneva, the same city where Theodore Ziegler had another address, had made her wonder exactly what Mother’s interest was in all this. She’d asked Lalonde about it, but his response was to remind her that this was a police investigation.
    â€œThe great detective can’t locate Dad’s dental records. Do you know who his dentist was? Because I don’t remember.”
    â€œI don’t either.” Rhonda removed a jar of instant coffee from the cupboard.
    â€œLalonde might have a DNA test performed on the body, but results could take time.”
    â€œWhat for? You identified your father.”
    â€œIt sure looked like him, yeah. But now that there are two deceased Marcus Hollands, DNA testing could be necessary for at least one of them, if not both. I think they’ll want to compare their analysis with DNA they know is Dad’s.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with fingerprints?”
    â€œThat’s also why he was here,” Casey answered. “I gave him the birthday cards I got from Dad, and do you still have his comb? They’ll need hair samples for testing.”
    Rhonda nodded. “I never cleaned them or his razor and toothbrush.”
    After the funeral, Rhonda had asked for all of Dad’s personal items, including his clothes. As far as Casey knew, she’d kept everything.
    â€œWhatever Marcus was up to,” Rhonda said, “he kept it secret to protect us. You know that, don’t you?”
    â€œI don’t know anything right now.”
    â€œHe loved you, Casey. He would have done anything to keep you from harm. After Marcus kicked Lillian out, he hired a private detective to watch over you in case Lillian’s family tried to kidnap you.”
    â€œHe never told me that.” But then Dad apparently hadn’t told her lots of things. “Gran and Gramps wouldn’t have taken me.”
    â€œYour aunts and uncles would have, if Lillian told them to. Those people had connections. Could have had you out of the country in two hours.”
    Casey believed her. “I should go.”
    â€œHave you started funeral arrangements?” Rhonda asked.
    â€œYep.” She hesitated. “It seems that Mother wants to claim his body.”
    Rhonda snorted. “I always knew Lillian wanted him back, but his corpse? That’s sick.”
    â€œYeah, well, she’s not getting it, and I’ll tell her so myself if I have to.”
    Last night, Lalonde handed her a message from Mother, asking Casey to call her collect at the Geneva number. Undecided about what to do, she’d shoved the message in her jeans pocket, the same jeans she was wearing now.
    Rhonda poured a teaspoon of sugar into a mug. “You said Lalonde called Lillian when he found Marcus’s body.”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œHas he been in touch with her since?”
    Oh, great. “Yes.”
    Rhonda glanced at her as she took milk out of the fridge. “Did Lalonde bring up Lillian’s name last night?”
    â€œWhy do you ask?”
    Rhonda sloshed milk over the sugar. “Just wondering if Lillian discussed me with him—if that’s why he asked about my engagement.”
    â€œHe did, and it’s been bugging me because Mother was long gone before you and Dad got together, so how’d she know about you two?”
    Rhonda rubbed sleep-starved eyes. “I didn’t want you to know this—thought it’d upset you—but Lillian’s been keeping in touch with me for some time.”
    Casey’s cheeks grew warm. “You’ve got to be kidding.”
    â€œKidding about your mother’s impossible.” Rhonda’s smile was bleak. “She called what felt like a hundred