Long Gone Man Read Online Free Page A

Long Gone Man
Book: Long Gone Man Read Online Free
Author: Phyllis Smallman
Tags: Mystery
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before.”
    â€œHow did you know where to find him?”
    â€œOh, I’ve always known where Johnny was.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Singer knew she’d made a mistake, knew it was an admission that would come back to haunt her. Usually she was better at hiding the truth but exhaustion was taking its toll.
    Singer hurried on. “This is what I think we should say. I came about eleven. Johnny introduced us, we talked for a bit, and then he came in here while you made me a sandwich and showed me around. We took the dog out for a minute. Later we came in and found Johnny. We were together the whole time. That will stop the cops from wasting their time on us. How’s that sound?”
    Lauren’s forehead wrinkled in concentration and she worried the inside of her cheek. “I could just tell them the truth, just say I was outside.”
    â€œSo was I, but wouldn’t it be better if we were outside together? They’ll check our hands to see if we’ve fired a weapon but as long as we haven’t we’re home free. You haven’t fired a gun lately, have you?”
    Lauren gave a dismissive wave of her hand. “Guns were John’s obsession not mine.”
    A little tension left Singer. “I remember he always had firearms, was always taking potshots out the window at mailboxes and signs as we drove from gig to gig.”
    Lauren nodded. “That sounds like him.”
    â€œJohnny once got us kicked out of a motel when he shot at a lamp. He missed the lamp and nearly killed the guy in the next room. If the guy had been sitting up in bed instead of lying down, Johnny would have killed him.”
    â€œThat’s John, all right.” Lauren’s eyes went back to the office where her husband’s body lay.
    â€œLet’s get out of here.” Singer bent and picked up her backpack. “We’ll call the cops from another room.”
    Lauren’s next words stopped her. “Oh my god, what if the murderer is still in the house?”

Eight
    Their eyes lifted to the coffered ceiling as if they might be able to see who or what was hiding there.
    â€œHow many rooms are there?” Singer asked, still examining the ceiling.
    Lauren ticked them off on her fingers as she answered, “Five bedrooms, six baths, kitchen, this room, which is supposed to be the family room.” She pointed to the room with the body before continuing, “John’s office, a media room, studio, living room, and dining room.”
    â€œAnd I live in a van,” Singer said before she remembered that Beastie might be gone.
    â€œJohn kept weapons in half of those rooms,” Lauren said.
    â€œJesus H. Christ.”
    â€œExactly. If there’s someone else in the house, they have their choice of things to kill us with.”
    â€œWe’ll take this with us.” Singer picked up the revolver.
    â€œI’m not going out there,” Lauren protested. “It’s too dangerous. There’s a phone in John’s office; I’m going to call the Mounties from there.” Lauren headed for the office and got as far as the door to the study before she lost her conviction. She lingered with her hand on the latch. Finally, Lauren shoved back the door.
    Beyond Lauren, Singer could see John Vibald’s corpse. The smell of it filled her nostrils.
    Lauren gave a sharp intake of breath and said, “I can’t.”
    â€œBest not to anyway. The less we touch in there the better.”
    Lauren turned away from the body and clamped her hand over her mouth.
    â€œAre you okay?”
    Lauren lowered her hand and wrapped her arms around herself. “I don’t think I really took it in until now.”
    â€œShock.”
    â€œIt’s like a nightmare I can’t wake up from.” She glanced at Singer. “I was mad when I went in there to speak to John.” The words were said in a tone that was
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