A Murderer Among Us Read Online Free

as though her last comment were of no importance. “It’s a common if unwise practice to leave a car key where you did. It’s like leaving a house key under a planter. Actually, some people can start up a car without a key, though that’s getting more and more difficult, with all the safety features they’re installing.”
    Was he trying to make her feel better or was he pretending? Did he want to put her at her ease so she’d confess?
    Reggie sauntered into the kitchen. He rubbed his tawny body against her legs, purring loudly.
    “Excuse me. I have to feed my cat.”
    “Don’t let me stop you.” Lieutenant Molina bent down to stroke Reggie’s back. To Lydia’s immense surprise, the cat rolled over and waited to have his belly rubbed.
    “He doesn’t do that with anyone but me!” she exclaimed, ashamed of the note of injured pride that had crept into her voice.
    “I have three of my own,” Molina said.
    She’d no sooner set a plate of treats down on Reggie’s placemat when her phone rang.
    “Lyddie, it’s me,” her sister said. “What’s up? I’m due in court in five minutes but your message frightened me. You sounded absolutely frantic.”
    Lydia eyed Molina as he headed for the living room corner he favored, already deep in conversation on his cell phone. She drew in a breath and began. “Warren Mannes is living here at Twin Lakes. He’s changed his name, and he’s the HOA’s financial advisor.”
    “In which case he’s breaking the law and a condition of his early release. He lost his license to advise and handle another party’s finances for ten years and a day. He can reapply, of course, but not for four years.”
    “Sammy, listen to me!”
    Detective Molina turned from his own conversation and eyed her curiously. Lydia lowered her voice and explained why Detective Molina was questioning her.
    “Oh, Lydia, how awful! Don’t say another word to this cop. I have a friend in Manhattan—a brilliant criminal lawyer. Take his number and call him ASAP.”
    “Okay.” She reached for a pen and pad. “Shoot.” Too late, she realized that wasn’t the best expression to use, given the circumstances, but Molina was talking too intently into his cell phone to look her way.
    Samantha rattled off the name and number. “Jack’s a good friend from law school. Call him any time. They must be a bunch of fools if they think you could do anything like vehicular homicide.”
    Lydia sighed. “I can’t help thinking she’s dead because I spilled the beans about her husband’s past. Mannes is handling some residents’ portfolios, too. Could be he’s been skimming money, and the victim decided to pay him back.”
    “I doubt anyone would go after his wife for his thievery. It doesn’t make any sense.”
    “Why did the murderer use my car? Even if he noticed I kept the key under the fender, he took a chance being seen.”
    “Oh, Lyddie, you’re not doing that again!”
    “Believe me, I’m tossing that magnet key chain in the garbage—as soon as the police finish checking it for fingerprints.”
    “But it explains why he took your car.”
    “Which makes me feel guilty.” Lydia sighed deeply. “Any way you look at it, I helped cause that poor woman’s demise.”
    “You didn’t, Lyddie! Get a hold of yourself!”
    “The only way I can get a hold of myself is to find out who killed her.” Lydia gave a snort of disgust. “Suspect Number One is always the husband. In this case, for good reason. Mannes is a thief and a runaround.”
    “Leave the investigating to the police. Promise me you won’t get involved!”
    “I’ll just talk to residents. Learn what I can about the Mannes/Weills.” She glanced at Detective Molina still on his cell phone. “I bet I can find out more than some male cop trying to sniff out secrets.”
    “Don’t, Lyddie! Asking questions is dangerous. I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. I love you more than anyone in the world!”
    “Nothing will