Horse of a Different Killer Read Online Free Page A

likely be busy but that’s the nature of the party business. Kendall’s good. She’ll be able to get the ball rolling once you get her the file.”
    â€œFile?”
    â€œOn my laptop. It’s labeled ‘Painting Party’ with the date. You’ll see it. Transfer it to the yellow flash drive—it’s in the zipper pocket of my briefcase. Okay?”
    â€œThe flash what?”
    â€œYou know, a portable USB stick.”
    â€œRight—the little rectangle thingy.”
    â€œMake sure you use the yellow one.”
    â€œYellow USB stick. Got it.”
    â€œGet the file to Kendall and she’ll handle it.”
    â€œSo, I won’t have to go to the party?”
    â€œThat will be up to Kendall. Just follow her lead, do what she says, and you’ll be fine. Trust me.”

CHAPTER 3

    I hit the first snag before I made it out of the sheriff’s office. Jake informed me that he and Detective Boyle would be coming to the condo to take possession of Emma’s computers. I tried to explain to Jake that I needed one of her work files but he just shook his head.
    I thought I could get around it by beating them home, until I realized they were my ride back to Bluebell. I assumed they would drop me off in the lot and follow me home.
    Sometimes I hated being right.
    After depositing me next to my SUV, they waited, then escorted me all the way back to my sister’s beachfront condo. I muttered a quick plea to the heavens that I’d be able to copy the file before they took Emma’s stuff. Or, even better, that Wes would somehow get Emma out of the pokey in time for the party.
    I looked at the dashboard clock as I pulled into the condo’s parking lot. It was after four, which didn’t give me much hope. I was going to need that file.
    Maybe they would let me print a copy of it?
    With a bit of renewed hope, I climbed out of Bluebell and turned to the detectives.
    â€œEmma asked me to fill in for her tonight at an event she’s supposed to be handling. I need the file from her computer.”
    â€œWe can’t let you have access to the computer,” Detective Boyle said. “It’s being taken into evidence.”
    â€œI understand. But I really need the information on that file. Maybe I can print it? Or, hell, you can read it to me and I’ll take notes.”
    â€œI can’t allow that, Miss Wilde. I’m sorry,” she said, not sounding at all sorry.
    â€œLook, she ain’t askin’ for much.” Jake tried to intercede but Boyle was having none of it.
    â€œShe’s asking to violate chain of custody.”
    He made a derisive noise. “Come on, Boyle . . .”
    She ignored his intended meaning and motioned toward the condo building. “After you, Detective Nocera.”
    In that moment, I kind of wanted to strangle Detective Boyle. Actually, I knew a tiger who owed me a favor . . . Maybe a good maiming would teach her to be a little less obdurate.
    The look on my face must have been broadcasting my feelings loud and clear because Jake stepped toward me and said, “Let’s go, Grace.”
    I followed him to the building and up the stairs. Detective Boyle stayed close on my heels until we reached the top.
    â€œWhere’s Yamada?” she asked, looking around.
    I assumed she was talking about Charlie Yamada, an investigator with the Jacksonville CSU. He was one of Kai’s friends and, apparently, his replacement on this case.
    â€œHe’s supposed to be here,” Jake said.
    With a scowl, Boyle pulled her phone out of her pocket and paced away from us.
    As soon as she was out of earshot Jake asked, “What about your dog?”
    â€œMoss? What about him?”
    â€œDon’t you need to put ’im up?”
    â€œYou afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?”
    â€œNope.” He cast a meaningful glance toward Detective Boyle, who had ended her phone call and was on her way