Rohn Federbush - Sally Bianco 02 - The Appropriate Way Read Online Free

while she was in high school.
    “Before I married Bret.” Matilda seemed to relax, perhaps planning how to cover up something. “My father drinks. When he drinks, people get in his way.”
    “Like your mother?”
    “Tim was called to the house. Sheriff Woods, too. More than once. Mother loves Bret. I mean she likes him as a husband for me. A stockbroker and all.” Matilda opened her eyes wider to appear more honest. “Tim’s future didn’t seem promising.”
    “But you kept Tim on the side.”
    “Well, yes.” Matilda stuck her chin out and then thought better of it. “He wouldn’t hurt a flea. Certainly not Mother.”
    “Your mother hasn’t been injured.”
    “Bret and I were married five years ago.” Matilda put her purse on the table, opened it as if searching for her keys.
    Sally recognized the defensive, stall tactic. Tim said he’d been a policeman for two years. If Matilda knew Tim before her marriage, five years ago, why did Tim join the police force two years ago?
    “I don’t know where my mother is.” Matilda even batted her eyelashes to enhance the plea for sympathy.
    “Don’t you?” Sally toned down her harsh questions. “Doesn’t she own a safe place your father isn’t privy to?”
    “She wouldn’t be there.” Matilda did seem confused. “Because Dad said he returned from Dallas.”
    “Who is in Dallas?”
    “My grandmother.”
    “Is your cell phone in your purse?” Sally asked.
    “Will it work in here?” Matilda retrieved her phone and punched in the numbers for her grandmother.
    Sally cocked her head. “Hit the speaker button.”
    “ Rinehardt residence.” Was heard on Matilda’s cell phone.
    “Grandma, I …” Matilda’s throat allowed no further sound.
    “No,” the voice said, “Matilda?” Not only did Matilda’s voice fail her, now her brain seemed to shut down. “Who’s calling?” The voice sounded off-putting as if expecting to hang up on an inexperienced phone solicitor.
    “It’s me, Mother,” Matilda finally was able to say.
    “What’s wrong?” Mrs. Masters asked, and then added. “I told you Tim was a problem.”
    “No! He’s fine now!” Matilda sobbed into the phone.
    “Was there another accident?”
    Matilda stopped crying. “Not one hair on Bret’s head is harmed.” They heard Mrs. Masters sigh in relief.
    Sally reached for the phone and Matilda handed it over. “Mrs. Masters, this is detective Sally Bianco. Your husband has not been injured either, but your house was arsoned. A female body was recovered near the fireplace. Could you please arrange to fly home? We need your input in the investigation.”
    “I’ll be on the next flight out of Dallas. Tell Matilda we’ll talk then.” She hung up.
    “Excuse me just for a minute, Matilda.” Sally started to leave the witness room.
    “Before you go.” Matilda stood. “Bret doesn’t need to know about Tim, does he?”
    “That’s for you to determine with the help of your Maker.”
    In the station’s recording facility, Sally hugged John just to remind Sheriff Woods where her loyalties stood. Over John’s shoulder, she noticed Peter Masters in the window on the opposite side of the viewing room. Peter was answering his cell phone.
    Sheriff Woods witnessed the same action; but Sally was surprised because he chose to tease her. “Never got over your religious training, I see.”
    John’s back went up. He must have perceived more in the remark than even Sheriff Woods intended. “Her religion get in your way, did it?”
    “Once.” Sheriff Woods admitted.
    Sally changed the subject. “We might as well send Matilda home with her husband, but Peter still needs to be questioned.
    John said, “I didn’t hear Mrs. Masters ask about her husband.”
    Sheriff Woods scratched his full head of gray hair. “Seems I need a word with Tim, too.”
    “Remember when Tim introduced himself to you?” John asked Sally. John turned then to Sheriff Woods to explain, “We both thought Tim knew