The Night Is Deep (A Liam Dempsey Thriller Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

and motioned to the chairs opposite him. A low table separating them held four half-finished cups of coffee. Beside the table Liam spotted several dark splotches that had soaked into the tan rug. He shot a glance at Perring and saw she was watching him as they took their seats. Owen seemed to melt into the couch, his thin form becoming even more insubstantial as he settled into the cushions. Liam studied his friend, watching his hands, his eyes, the trembling of his lips.
    “I’ve told this so many times it’s starting to seem like it isn’t real, like a story I heard from someone else,” Owen said, not looking at any of them.
    “Just start at the beginning,” Liam said gently. “Tell me about last night.”
    Owen sighed and glanced out the windows at the lake.
    “I got home from work late, about eight or so. Since I officially threw my hat in the ring for mayor I’ve been working a lot of late nights. Val had dinner waiting, she usually does. We ate together and then sat down to watch some TV.” He paused and put a hand to the side of his skull, closing his eyes. “I’m sorry, but I need something,” he said, rising to his feet. He moved across the room to a set of oak doors set into the wall and pulled them open, revealing a liquor cabinet. He poured himself half a glass of amber liquid and returned to the couch. “That pill the paramedic gave me this morning for my head isn’t doing anything for my nerves.” He took a long pull from the glass and rested it on his thigh, staring at a spot on the floor.
    “You were watching TV,” Liam prompted.
    “Yeah,” Owen said. “We were watching and then Val got up for something, ice cream I think. She asked me if I wanted some and I said no. Maybe if I had offered to get it for her things would be different.” He turned his glazed eyes to each of them, the hand holding his drink shaking.
    “Keep going, you’re doing good,” Liam said.
    “I heard something, a thump like someone falling, and I started to turn to ask if she was okay, but then it was like a car hit me. I remember seeing this table turn sideways as I fell. Then I was on the floor and I knew I was going to pass out, I couldn’t even lift my head. But before everything faded . . .” He bit into his lower lip and blinked away the solid layer of tears. “I heard her scream, and there was nothing I could do to help her.” He made the same coughing sound Liam had heard on the phone hours before, and covered his eyes with one hand. Liam rose and rounded the table to grip his shoulder.
    “Hey, we’re going to find her and bring her home, okay?” Owen nodded, not pulling his palm from his face. “You sit here a minute while the detectives show me around.” Liam squeezed Owen’s shoulder one more time as Perring and Sanders moved out of the room and into the kitchen. Liam joined them and glanced around the space as the two forensic specialists pulled off their gloves and approached. One was an Asian man in his early thirties and the other was a woman who barely looked out of her teens. Both of them eyed Liam before turning to Perring.
    “Anything?” Perring asked.
    The man shook his head. “Besides the blood, only some hair but I’m guessing it will match both of the Farrows. We got some steel shavings outside on the porch but we think it’s from the door lock itself.”
    “Blood?” Liam asked.
    “A small amount near the hallway off the kitchen. We think it’s Valerie’s,” Perring said.
    “It appears that she was coming into the kitchen from the hall when whoever it was grabbed her. The edge of the counter has some hair and blood on it too. Looks like the intruder slammed her against it, then carried her out after knocking Owen unconscious,” Sanders said. The two detectives filled in details like a married couple telling a well-worn story.
    “Owen said he heard a thump before Valerie screamed,” Liam said.
    “Could’ve been anything,” Perring said. “The intruder moving in