Killing Me Softly Read Online Free Page A

Bryan.
    â€œI never discussed the details of the Nightcap case with the rookie, Chief.”
    â€œRight. You’re his mentor, and you never talked to him about the case that made your career? He never asked? You wrote a book, Di Marco. They made a freaking movie. You telling me you never talked about it with Kendall here?”
    â€œThat’s what I’m telling you.” Nick braced himself, getting in the chief’s space, his chest thrust out, chin up, challenging. “Now why don’t we get to what you’re telling me? Are you saying a rookie cop turned into a copycat killer just ’cause he took a couple of classes from the retired cop who solved the case? ’Cause I think that’s a stretch, even for you, Mac.”
    â€œHe shot a guy last month, Nick.”
    â€œIn the line of fucking duty! ” Di Marco shouted.“He was cleared of any wrongdoing. It was a clean kill.
    You know that.”
    â€œIt was a clean kill and it left him a basket case,”
    Chief Mac argued.
    â€œAccording to you .” Nick jabbed a finger in the chief’s direction, and for a moment Bryan thought he was going to actually poke him in the chest with it. He only barely missed doing so. “The department shrink says he’s fine.”
    â€œNow,” the chief said.
    Because he hadn’t seemed fine right after the shooting, Bryan thought. Then again, who would have? Bryan had never shot a man before. He’d had no choice, though. The guy had his girlfriend in a headlock, a knife at her throat, and he was getting ready to use it. There had been no question. Hell, she’d been bleeding already when Bryan had taken the shot. He was the only one with a clear line. He’d had no choice. But he damn well didn’t like it.
    â€œYeah, now, ” Nick repeated. “And now is when this killing went down. The kid didn’t do it, Chief. Come on. You know the kid didn’t do it.”
    â€œQuit talking about me like I’m not in the room, you two,” Bryan said. He kept his tone level, his voice low. “I’m standing right here. And I didn’t do it. I’ll tell you both, I didn’t fucking do this. I had no reason. I liked Bette.”
    â€œ Liked her?” The chief bit back whatever else he’d been about to say, sighed, compressed his lips. “Allright, Kendall. You liked her. You were, uh, seeing this Bette—”
    â€œBettina Wright,” Bryan filled in.
    The chief pulled out a pad and jotted the name down. “You were seeing her pretty regularly?”
    â€œWe were friends.”
    Chief MacNamara looked at Nick. “If he’s gonna start lying already, about something so obvious…”
    â€œI’m not lying,” Bryan said.
    â€œShe was in your bed, son.”
    Di Marco drew a breath, released it. “Come on, Kendall, be straight with the chief. It’s pretty clear there was more between you than just…friendship.”
    â€œThere really wasn’t. We were friends. We got along great, but neither of us wanted anything serious.”
    The chief blinked, looking blank. Di Marco rolled his eyes. “I think this is some of that shit the kids over at the university call ‘friends with benefits,’ Mac.
    â€œI’m old, not dead, Di Marco. I’ve heard the term. I just never thought anyone really lived that way.”
    Di Marco shrugged and turned his attention back to Bryan. “So you two never fought? Didn’t argue? There was no jealousy?”
    â€œI knew from the beginning she was still gun-shy after her ex-boyfriend—and that’s where we oughtta start, right there. That bastard was jealous. Didn’t want her for himself, but it sure as hell drove him crazy to see her with anyone else. Even me, even though we were just—”
    â€œJust friends,” the chief muttered.
    Bryan nodded, knowing how lame it sounded.
    â€œOkay,” the chief said