Wicked Beginning: An Ivy Morgan Mystery Books 1-3 Read Online Free Page A

surprise me. We’ve never had the … warmest … of relationships.”
    “Brian filled me in on some of that while we were driving out here,” Jack said. “I’m sorry things have been so difficult for you.”
    Ivy made a face. “I’m happy with who I am,” she said. “Things were never difficult for me because I wouldn’t let them be. I’m happy with my life and beliefs. If other people don’t like it … well … that’s their problem.”
    Jack liked her attitude, even if he wasn’t sure she was being entirely truthful. You could be completely happy with yourself and still hurt by the words and actions of others. “You stand out in an area like this,” he said. “Have you ever considered moving south? You would fit right in down there. The city would love you.”
    “I love the country,” Ivy replied, blasé. “The country loves me, too. There are some people that don’t understand me. I really don’t worry about them, though.”
    Jack nodded thoughtfully. He was having trouble tearing his gaze from the high ridges of her cheeks, or the oceans of blue beckoning to him in her eyes.
    “Did you have questions you wanted to ask?” Ivy asked, breaking the silence.
    “Um … yeah,” Jack replied, returning to the moment. “Can you tell me what you were doing last night?”
    “I finished up at the greenhouse around six,” Ivy said. “I had a quick dinner and then I went for a walk in the woods. I got back home around ten or so, and then I read a book on my back patio. I was in bed by midnight.”
    “You went for a walk in the woods alone? After dark?” Jack couldn’t help but be dubious. In the city, it was never wise to walk alone – no matter what neighborhood you were in. People didn’t always live by that rule, but it was a smart one to follow.
    “I grew up in this house,” Ivy said. “I know these woods like the back of my hand. I like to walk. It’s how I keep in shape. I don’t really think about it now.”
    “Okay,” Jack said, readjusting his thinking. “Did you hear anything last night?”
    “No,” Ivy said, shaking her head and causing her long hair to brush against her shoulders. “I sleep like the dead, though. I sleep with a fan. I like the white noise. Between that and Nicodemus purring, I really never wake up.”
    “And … um … were you alone?” Jack told himself he was asking the question out of professional necessity, but he honestly wasn’t so sure.
    “I was alone,” Ivy confirmed.
    “You’re not dating anyone? I’m only asking because I want to be able to ascertain if someone has the ability to come and go from the property without piquing your interest.”
    Ivy pressed her lips together, and for a second Jack wondered if she believed him. When she opened her mouth again to speak, he couldn’t hide his relief.
    “There’s no one spending the night here,” Ivy said. “It’s just me.”
    Jack nodded. “Okay. Well … I’m sure we’ll be in touch. For the time being, I think it would be wise to keep your nocturnal walks to a minimum. There could be someone dangerous out in these woods.”
    “I’ll take it under advisement.”
    Jack stilled. “I’m not trying to tell you what to do. I just … .”
    “You don’t know me,” Ivy said. “It’s okay. This is my home, though. If you don’t feel safe in your home there’s no sense in living there. Nothing will stop me from walking through the woods.”
    “But … .”
    Ivy held up her hand. “If it will make you feel better, I promise to be careful.”
    Jack wasn’t sure that did make him feel better. Something told him it was the best he was going to get, though.
     
    “WHEN will they do the autopsy?” Jack asked, sliding into his new desk chair and rocking back and forth to see if it was comfortable.
    “Probably not until tomorrow,” Brian said, dropping a file on his desk and glancing around. “It’s not like down south. We have limited resources.”
    “Sorry I was inside so long,”