Read Online The Shelter of His Arms (Harlequin Heartwarming) by Dawn Stewardson - Free Book Online Page A

completely forget about Celeste Langley.
    He stared at the table for a minute, then focused on Hank once more. “You know I’m not the lying-on-the-beach type, so I’ll probably just stick around the city. And do me a favor?”
    “Sure.”
    “Keep me up-to-date? Stay in touch and let me know what you’re finding?”
    Hank hesitated for a second, then nodded.
    “And don’t go getting tunnel vision.”
    “I don’t intend to.”
    “You’ll check out Jill Flores’s alibi?”
    “You know I will.”
    “And talk to Evan Reese again, huh?”
    “Why?”
    Travis shrugged. “I can’t stop wondering about him phoning Celeste last night, let alone again this morning. Why bother calling her to say he’s pissed off at me? Why didn’t he just call Espizito straightaway? I keep thinking it’s a classic example of the perp trying to involve himself in the case as much as possible.”
    “Travis—”
    “Don’t look so skeptical. You know that happens. And the odds on it go way up when the killer’s a loony-tune.”
    Hank frowned.
    “Being Corstair’s nephew doesn’t mean he can’t be a murderer.”
    “Yeah,” Hank finally muttered. “You’re right.”
    “And be sure you—”
    “Travis, give it a rest, okay? We’ve worked together long enough that you know I’ll follow up on all the angles.”
    “Yeah, I know. But make sure that’s Koscina’s attitude, too, huh? ’Cuz I’m still convinced Celeste didn’t have a thing to do with Parker’s death.”
    * * *
    T RAVIS PACED his living room, considering the situation one more time.
    Like it or not, and he definitely didn’t like it, he was off the Parker case and on leave from the department. However, he was still a cop. So, as Espizito had reminded him only a couple of hours ago, he was supposed to avoid situations that might appear compromising.
    Logic, then, said that since he knew Celeste was a suspect in her brother’s murder he should stay completely away from her. On the other hand, he’d made it clear to both Hank and Espizito that he didn’t suspect her.
    Adding that factor into the equation, what was the worst-case scenario?
    He didn’t stay away and got his knuckles rapped if Espizito found out. Possibly rapped pretty hard.
    But how would Espizito find out?
    In all likelihood, he wouldn’t, which pretty much eliminated the need for concern.
    Of course, there was the other worst-case scenario. The one he didn’t want to even think about but was making himself. What if Celeste had killed her brother?
    He still didn’t really figure there was a chance she had, but his gut instincts about people weren’t one hundred percent accurate. Besides, he couldn’t call himself a detective and simply ignore that survivor clause.
    It did give Celeste an obvious motive. And if she had no one to substantiate her alibi for Saturday evening... But maybe she did. Maybe someone had phoned her and they’d had a lengthy conversation.
    He reminded himself the estimated time of death was between nine and midnight. Which meant it would have had to be a pretty long conversation to let her entirely off the hook. Still, it was worth asking her about. And he could also... No. He couldn’t.
    He couldn’t ask her anything that would lead to a discussion of how Hank and Koscina might build a case against her. If he did that and it ever came out, he’d find himself back walking a beat. Or off the force entirely.
    That was such a grim thought, it started Hank’s words drifting through his head once more. Why not take off somewhere for a couple of weeks. Go lie on a beach down south and completely forget about the job.
    Maybe that was what he should do. But if he did, who’d be looking out for Celeste while he was gone? Who’d follow up if Evan Reese scared the wits out of her again? Or worse?
    He shook his head, thinking there was little doubt about the outcome of this mental discussion with himself. So he might as well just give it up and go see her.
    There was no