Deadly Valentine (Special Releases) Read Online Free Page A

Oliver snapped. Mitzy hadn’t said a word but she was still looking at her husband, a hard brittleness in her gaze.
    ‘‘It matters to me,’’ Jack said. And it appeared to matter to Mitzy as well. ‘‘When did you purchase the gifts? I’m sure you have the receipts or the clerks at the stores can substantiate your story.’’
    Oliver glared at him. ‘‘I had Peggy buy everything this afternoon.’’
    Mitzy turned back around, picked up her martini and drained half of it.
    ‘‘Where did Ms. Kane buy the chocolates?’’ Jack asked.
    Oliver seemed to hesitate as if he might be considering lying. ‘‘Sweet Things.’’
    ‘‘Her choice? Or yours?’’ Jack asked.
    ‘‘Mine. I’d called ahead so I got exactly what I wanted,’’ he said, glancing at his wife’s back, as if he thought that fact was going to save him. But Mitzy seemed more interested in her drink than her husband now. Jack could understand that.
    ‘‘Cash? Or charge?’’ Jack asked.
    Again Oliver seemed to hesitate, then said, ‘‘Charge. I would imagine Peggy still has my credit card.’’ The realization definitely didn’t make him happy. ‘‘I should have known Peggy couldn’t handle this.’’ He didn’t seem torn up over his secretary’s death and that bothered Jack. But Oliver was upset over something and it had to be more than getting caught sending his secretary out to do his Valentine’s Day shopping.
    It also made Jack wonder how Peggy had gotten the job and why. ‘‘How long has Peggy been your secretary?’’
    ‘‘Too long,’’ Mitzy commented under her breath, then turned her baby blues on Jack. ‘‘Obviously, Oliver only hired her because he felt sorry for her and look where it’s gotten him.’’
    Where had it gotten him? Jack wondered.
    ‘‘Just a little over a year,’’ Oliver said as if Mitzy hadn’t spoken.
    ‘‘Are you saying she wasn’t a good secretary?’’
    ‘‘Adequate,’’ Oliver said and finished his drink.
    ‘‘But you kept her on,’’ Jack persisted.
    ‘‘Finding anyone who wants to work in River’s Edge is next to impossible,’’ Oliver said.
    Mitzy emptied her glass.
    ‘‘When did you arrive at the penthouse?’’ Jack asked Oliver.
    ‘‘Right after Mitzy.’’ Oliver glanced at Tempest as if he expected her to either corroborate his story—or contradict it. ‘‘I came up the back stairs.’’
    Jack lifted a brow.
    ‘‘The elevator was blocked, remember?’’ Oliver said. ‘‘I wasn’t even aware I didn’t have my key.’’

CHAPTER THREE
    T HE MISSING EXTRA KEY bothered Jack. But what bothered him more was the way Oliver had looked to Tempest.
    Jack glanced at her now. She said nothing, but from the set of her jaw, Jack guessed she wasn’t happy about something.
    ‘‘Excuse me, Sheriff,’’ Deputy Reed said from the living room doorway. ‘‘The coroner is in the lobby.’’
    ‘‘Bring him up,’’ Jack said, reaching over to turn off the tape recorder.
    Mitzy shoved herself up off the couch and headed for the bar, breezing past Oliver without looking at him.
    Jack rose, tucking the recorder into his jacket pocket again. ‘‘I assume neither of you is planning to leave town?’’
    He caught a look pass between Mitzy and Oliver.
    ‘‘We’re not going anywhere, Sheriff,’’ Oliver said impatiently.
    Jack turned his attention to Tempest, anxious to talk to her alone. She was already on her feet, no doubt eager as anyone to get away from this pair. ‘‘If you have a few minutes....’’ He motioned toward the foyer.
    She nodded and followed him out to where the coroner was just getting off the elevator.
    ‘‘Damn,’’ Lou Ramsey said, scowling down at the body, then at Jack. ‘‘You bring this kind of stuff with you from the big city?’’
    It did feel as if he’d brought something back with him, more old baggage than even he’d realized. ‘‘I can’t believe you’re still alive—let alone still the coroner,’’