The Devil Wore Sneakers Read Online Free

now.” She stretched her hand out, and her fingertips touched the smooth wood.
    The funeral home had recommended cremation to save money. Since fire had terrified him, she’d squashed the idea. She turned and picked her way down the icy path.
    “Lucy,” Liam called to her. He leaned against the door of his parked truck with his arms folded.
    She’d kind of hoped he’d left. She could walk back, but she needed to talk to him. So Lucy did the opposite of what she wanted to do— run from Liam McAllister— and crossed the ground to meet him.

Chapter 4

    “Need a ride to the Moose?” Liam pushed away from his pickup and blocked her path.
    A familiar shiver of awareness spiked her pulse. When was the last time they’d been this close? Not that it mattered. She searched his face for signs of anger.
    Instead, his hazel-green eyes widened with humor. “As I recall, you avoided the outdoors once the temperature hit fifty.”
    “I can handle the cold. I’m tougher now.” A twinge of remorse pinched her. Okay, she’d just lied, and at her brother’s funeral. “I’m surprised you showed up today, Liam. You never answered my email.”
    “Sorry. I was in shock.” He rubbed his neck.
    “I wanted to make sure you heard about Ryan before the police announced it.” She’d expected a response from him that would help lessen the tension of their face-to-face meeting in Barley.
    “We had our differences, but your brother was my friend. Come to the Moose. We’ll talk, and it’s my treat. How can you resist?” A touch of humor tinged his voice.
    Maybe she could beg a previous commitment. Then again, the Mad Moose Bar and Grill was the town gathering place and center for gossip. If Liam hung there, he’d know more about what happened to Ryan than Chief Sullivan did. “Thanks, I’ll take you up on the lunch offer.”
    For an instant, she flashed back to a prior breakfast. Liam had cooked eggs and bacon, and they’d shared their first kiss.
    “Did you forget something?” he asked.
    No way would she confess the truth to him. “I thought I smelled cooking. Guess I’m hungry.”
    The hum of a car approaching tore her attention from him.
    “Someone is later for the service than I was.” He gestured to the road.
    She edged onto a patch of grass as the black SUV glided to a halt.
    Chief Sullivan stepped out of the driver’s side. He wore his Barley uniform, badge, and hat, but no overcoat. He must have developed thick blood. As he approached, she noted he was as tall as Liam.
    “Morning, Miss Watson. Is the funeral over?” His brown eyes shifted to Liam, and his features hardened.
    “Yes. Liam invited everyone to the Moose for a bite. Can you join us?”
    “I’m working, Miss Watson. I’d like to speak to you for a moment in private.” He inclined his head to a spot nearby.
    “Of course, Liam, if you don’t want to wait—”
    “No problem. I’m not in a hurry.” He folded his arms and lounged against his truck as though he had all day.
    She walked beside the chief for a few feet before they stopped and faced each other. “Did you find something out?” Why else would he be looking for her?
    “The blood results arrived.”
    “Oh, blood.” Fuzziness took over her brain. She concentrated on the chief’s face.
    “No surprises, I’m afraid. The blood present at the scene belonged to your brother and only him.”
    “Thanks for letting me know.”
    “I had another reason for stopping. As I drove past, I saw you with McAllister. I’m here to warn you. I questioned the witness to Ryan and Liam’s fight again. He’s decided he doesn’t mind if I give you his name. It was Johnny Gage. I’m sure you’ll agree he’s an honest man.”
    “Gage reconfirmed the argument?”
    “He did. Gage overheard your brother and McAllister quarreling about money. McAllister stormed off the lot. At one point, Gage expected a slugfest, and I’ll remind you, it occurred on the day your brother was shot.”
    Why was Gage