The Fourth Motive Read Online Free Page A

arrest him soon.”
    The Judge’s brow furrowed in doubt. “Who are you kidding? The cops don’t have squat,
     and you of all people should know it. For this creep to get caught would take one
     of three things. One, he’ll turn himself in. Not likely. Two, somebody else will turn
     him in. Possible, but still highly unlikely. Three, he’ll get caught in the act. Assuming
     someone is there to catch him at the time of the attack, which is of course at his
     leisure and discretion. And further assuming he is caught in the act before doing
     you harm.”
    “So what do you want me to do? Dig a hole and hide in it? Move to Tibet?”
    “One thing you could do,” the Judge said, averting his eyes, “is move back here to
     the house. You’d be safer here where I could keep an eye on you.”
    “I’m not moving back home, Dad. How many times do we have to go over this?”
    Ever since the death of her mother, the Judge had been trying to entice Paige into
     moving back into the mansion. She was currently residing in a condominium on Bay Farm
     Island, adjacent to the Harbor Bay health club. Judge Callen never tired of dropping
     hints that the house was too big for him to maintain, even with Mrs Reyes, his housekeeper,
     coming every other day. And though Paige visited her father for lunch at least once
     a week, he never relented in his not-so-subtle demands for more of her time.
    “You know I enjoy spending time with you here at the house. But I have my own life.
     I need my space.”
    Paige couldn’t believe her own ears. She sounded like a college freshman ditching
     her first boyfriend, instead of a nearly thirty year-old deputy district attorney
     working for one of the largest counties in California.
    The Judge stared forlornly at his feet. Paige stood, wrapped her arms around him,
     and gave him a hug. “Dad, I love you. And I know you believe you’re looking out for
     my best interests. But I’m a big girl now; I can handle this.”
    Judge Callen grinned, a warm glow spreading across his craggy features. He adored
     his daughter Paige and, despite his best efforts, could not restrain himself from
     using every opportunity to convince her to move back home with him. He knew it was
     a flagrant indicator of old age but did it nonetheless.
    Paige disentangled herself from her father. “I’ve got to get to the office. I’ll barely
     have time to run home and change before lunch is over.”
    “I wish you’d reconsider taking the day off.”
    “Bye, Dad,” she said, ignoring his question and giving him a peck on the cheek. She
     started for the door. “I’ll need to borrow your car; mine’s still at the beach. I’ll
     bring it back tonight.”
    “Keep it as long as you like,” he said.
    “Thanks.”
    “Paige,” the Judge said, “I want you to know I love you. I’d do anything to ensure
     your safety. Anything.”
    Paige turned back to her father, puzzled at the odd look on his face. She couldn’t
     remember ever seeing that expression before, and it momentarily alarmed her.
    “Of course I know you love me. Are you OK?”
    “I’m fine.”
    The Judge waited until he heard his Mercedes pull out of the garage, and the garage
     door close, before retrieving his cane. He lumbered to his study and sat down behind
     his large mahogany desk. There he opened the top drawer and withdrew a worn and elegantly
     embossed address book. Putting on a pair of reading glasses extracted from his pocket,
     he thumbed through the book until he found the number he was seeking. He reached for
     the phone on the desk and dialed a series of numbers.
    “Bayfront Realty,” a woman’s voice answered. “May I help you?”
    “I’d like to speak to Sandy Altman, please.”
    “I’m sorry, but Mr Altman is in a conference. May I take a message?”
    “Yes. Could you relay to Mr Altman that Judge Callen called? I need to speak with
     him; it’s rather urgent.”
    “Please hold,” the woman’s voice said. “I’ll see