Burn Read Online Free Page A

for his unannounced vacations, ” Todman said. “Naturally, we are concerned for his well-being, but we fully expect to locate him in short order. In the meantime, the entire Lomax Enterprises family intends to cooperate with law enforcement without reservation.”
    Detective Timms declined to confirm whether David Lomax will be questioned as a suspect in the murder investigation at the present time.

3
    “THIS is Todman. Go.”
    “Mr. Todman, this is Adrian Timms.”
    “Oh … Detective Timms. Hello there. Excuse my tone, I assumed this was a work call. What can I do for you?”
    “Well, I was just hoping to hook up with you again sometime in the next day or two. I stopped by your office, but your secretary told me you were going to be hard to catch. Think you could find a few spare minutes at some point?”
    “Absolutely. Is there information about David?”
    “Nothing new. I'd just like to go over a couple of things.”
    “Yes, absolutely. Of course. Fire away.”
    “I'd just as soon speak in person. It's nothing that can't wait.”
    “I see. Let me track down Doren and get back to you. I'm sure he'd want to make himself available.”
    “That's fine. I probably won't be at my desk today. Let me give you my cell number.”
    “No need, Detective. I have it programmed into my phone.”
    “I'll talk to you soon, then.”
    Todd Todman assured the detective that he'd be in touch the minute he talked to his employer. Then he snapped his phone closed, brushed a fleck of lint from his company oxford, and turned to look for the next challenge waiting in the queue.
    From where he stood, he saw at least two. One could wait. The other was called Lenhoff
    “I'm telling my guys to pack up, ” Lenhoff said. He practically stomped his feet as he crossed the soundstage. “We're out of here. Give me a call when you get your shit together. Better yet: Don't.”
    Todd raised his palms. “Rory, I know. If you could just hang in there a few—”
    “A few? You do realize we're already two and a half hours behind fucking schedule on this fucking shoot?”
    “I appreciate that, Rory. I just got word from Mr. Marvalis. He's on his way now.”
    Lenhoff snorted and swept his hand toward the set behind him, which had been designed to convey the general idea of a high-tech, futuristic warehouse interior. The scruffy twenty-eight-year-old director, fresh off a Grammy nomination for his work in pop music videos, brought just the brand of hip young energy Todd felt the project needed. Sadly, he also brought a budding auteur complex the size of his going rate, which was getting to be considerable.
    “Rod Marvalis, ” Lenhoff muttered. “You know, Todman, I still don't know what you expect me to do with that tubby son of a bitch if he does manage to drag his bloated ass in here before noon. Tavlin's corpse would look better on camera.”
    Todd finally regarded Lenhoff with a frown.
    “Gregor Tavlin was an important member of the Maximum Health family” he said. “We all feel the loss. I understand that you're agitated, Rory but try to show a little common respect.”
    “Respect? You want to talk about respect? This is horseshit.”
    Out of the corner of his eye, Todd saw his other challenge heading over and put his reply on hold. This challenge wore a lime green cycle shirt with the word SECURITY in white block letters across his broad back. His name was Luther Vines. Lenhoff saw him coming, too. The director smirked.
    “Oh, this is cute. I guess I'm supposed to go back to my designated area and be a good little boy now?”
    Vines had been glowering in Todd's direction from his post by the stage door for approximately an hour. Now he moved toward them with an athletic, purposeful grace. Todd could understand why Lenhoff might be under the impression that he was about to be handled in a manner somewhat less accommodating than Todd's own.
    A striking, V-shaped wedge of muscle from waist to shoulders. That was Luther Vines. He kept