Blood and Fire by Ally Shields Read Free Book Online

he’s been an active father, supported them financially, visited regularly. I’m very close to my niece and nephew, and I’ll see their future is secured by proceeds from the business.”
    “As you said, that’s something for the lawyers.” Ryan gave her an assessing look. “You’ve made some interesting comments on his crew. Can you be more specific?”
    “You want all the dirt, huh?” Kelly lips quivered with amusement. “I’ll try to keep it to facts, but you should be aware there are rumors beyond the things I’ll repeat. Jase led a colorful life.” She began to tick off the concerns on her fingers. “In addition to the fights over ownership of the business, Max Carmody and Jase were forever bickering over filming and production issues. Max held the title of director, but Jase never relinquished any power over his films, including who, what, and where. Max threatened to pull out of the partnership on numerous occasions, but his greed always won out.
    “As for Cole, he filed a formal complaint with the network and the actors union that he wasn’t getting enough on-screen time. He whined that Jase was cutting out his best parts. Which was probably true. Jase didn’t like to be upstaged. Cole told anyone who’d listen that Jase was killing his career.”
    Kelly paused while a clerk brought in a small tray with three Styrofoam cups of coffee.
    “Sorry about the plastic stuff.” Ryan handed each of the women a cup. “Do you need sugar or cream? We might be able to find some.”
    Ari enjoyed watching Ryan’s awkwardness. Obvious chemistry there. Too bad Kelly Falk was married. Kelly might or might not care about that little obstacle, but Ryan would.
    Kelly turned her socialite smile on Ryan. “This is fine. Let’s see, who’s left? Tom, the photographer, was dating Bev, of the innocent blue eyes and designer breasts. I heard it was hot and heavy until Jase decided he wanted her. Bev is probably the only one on the crew who didn’t have a current reason to want him dead. She would have, in time. His love affairs never lasted for long. As Sara, the PR rep, should know. Their word-slinging breakup a year ago even made the tabloids.”
    “I think I remember a friend mentioning that.” Ari suppressed a grin. “She reads one of the celebrity exposé mags.” In fact, Claris read all of them, laughing her head off.
    “Oh, yes, Sara called him a pervert and a deviant. Those were the repeatable words. I won’t bore you with the rest of the lurid details, but I can’t imagine why she came on this expedition.”
    “Or why he allowed her to come,” Ari added. “Since he was the boss, couldn’t he have said no?”
    “Sure, he could, but that’s Jase. When something’s over, it’s over. He never looked back, never held a grudge.” Her eyelids glistened with moisture. “That was part of the charming side.”
    “I’m sorry. I know this must be hard.” Ryan softened his tone. “But we appreciate you being so candid.”
    Kelly straightened her shoulders. “He was a good big brother to me. I will miss him…a lot.” She took a sip of her cooling coffee. “But I understand why others might not feel that way. He was cocky and had such a strong belief in himself.” She blinked the tears away. “Anyway, enough of that. The two cavers…their dispute with Jase was over money. They found out the other crew members received shares in the company. When Jase and Max wouldn’t make a similar deal, the cavers tried to quit. It was Jase who held them to their contract.” Kelly waved off the implication. “Probably not enough of a reason to commit murder.”
    There, she’d finally said it. Murder. The word that had hung over the entire interview, its presence coloring everything Kelly said. Were any of these disputes strong enough to demand the payment of a life?
    Ryan brought Ari’s thoughts back to the conversation. “The only crew member you haven’t mentioned is Dyani.”
    “The Native American