Brenda Joyce - [Francesca Cahill 05] Read Online Free Page B

it.”
    “I don’t believe it, either, as his injuries are too vicious. As if someone intended to hurt him—or kill him.”
    Francesca sat back down again. She knew Evan had not been in a fistfight. He was not that kind of man. Someone had attacked him. She was even more afraid. “Somehow this is all connected, is it not? This must be about Evan—as he is the key here between Sarah and Miss Conway.”
    “I am beginning to think so,” Bragg said.
    “That would make the fact that Miss Conway was murdered in an artist’s studio a coincidence. But how can it be coincidental to what happened to Sarah? The killer here has vandalized Miss Neville’s studio exactly as he did Sarah’s. And if Grace Conway surprised the assailant, then he did not intend to murder her and Evan is
not
involved.”
    “We must focus on the facts which we do have and not leap to possible conclusions,” Bragg said firmly. “Fact: this studio was vandalized in the same manner as Miss Channing’s studio. Fact two: Evan is the connection between Miss Conway and Sarah Channing.” He became more thoughtful and added, “Fact three: Miss Neville is the artist here.”
    “Then this does not make any sense at all!” Francesca cried with real worry.
    Bragg took her arm. “Since when has any case made sense until its very end?” he asked quietly.
    She leaned against him, gazing up into his eyes. Being with him always gave her strength. In this case, as Evan might somehow be involved, it also gave her hope. And if she did not recover her composure, she would never help solve this case! “Evan owes a tremendous sum of money, Bragg. He is far too fond of gambling. The whole argument with my father began because of his debts, which Papa will no longer pay. In fact, Papa basically blackmailed Evan into his engagement.”
    “You have already told me, Francesca,” Bragg said with a kind expression. “He owes a terrific sum, does he not? I can’t help wondering if the so-called brawl was the act of a very angry creditor.”
    Francesca swallowed. “I have already wondered that myself.” She inhaled hard. “I fear I must leap to possible conclusions! Perhaps there is some coincidence here. What if the brawl Evan has claimed to be in has nothing to do with Miss Conway’s murder and the vandalism both here and at Sarah’s? Perhaps an odd killer is on the loose, and after the city’s female artists. If Miss Conway surprised him, her murder might have been unpremeditated and it might have nothing to do with my brother at all.”
    “If that is so, then Miss Neville was the target,” Bragg said.
    They stared at each other as the ramifications of this new development dawned upon them both. Bragg whirled. Francesca followed him to the door. The patrolman still stood outside it, but Newman was coming up the stairs, huffing and puffing as he did so. “Newman,” Bragg snapped.
    The chubby inspector hurried forward. “Sir?”
    “The victim is the stage actress Grace Conway, a neighbor of Miss Neville’s.”
    Newman’s eyes widened. “I seen her once, at the MajesticTheatre! She had the voice of an angel, she did, not to mention the face—”
    “We must find Miss Neville,” Bragg cut him off. “It is entirely possible that Miss Conway surprised the killer and that he is after Miss Neville as we speak.”
    Newman nodded grimly. “I’ll get right on it, sir. Maybe she’s at that Thomas Neville’s place or he knows where she is. I can take Hickey and try to speak with him tonight.”
    “I wish to interrogate him myself. We’ll go together, but after we look at Miss Conway’s flat. Keep two men here, however, in case Miss Neville returns. And if she does, under no circumstances may she be allowed to reside in her apartment. Bring her to headquarters and notify me.”
    Newman nodded and took off.
    Francesca started toward Grace Conway’s apartment. Bragg took her arm, detaining her. “Francesca, it’s late,” he said firmly.
    She stiffened