Bonbons and Betrayal: Book 3 in The Chocolate Cafe Series by Valley Sams Read Free Book Online Page A

second. There was never a man who looked more like he had a PhD in computer sciences. From his thin neck and the shadow of a mustache attempting to grow on his upper lip to his rapidly balding head, he was a living stereotype.
     
    When Louis shook his hand he couldn’t help but wonder how many times the poor guy had to endure wedgies throughout his life. From the look of his home however, they were worth it.
     
    “Shall I take my shoes off?” Louis asked, pausing at the entranceway.
     
    “Please.” the man said, his soft Persian accent making everything he said sound slightly melodic. “The rainwater is very damaging to the wood.”
     
    Louis scanned the house quickly. Unsurprisingly, it was just as heartlessly elegant inside as it was on the outside. It was beautiful certainly, but more like a furniture showroom than a home. It didn’t smell as if anyone had ever cooked a meal or slept a night there, even though the walls were covered in pictures of the man and his apparently happy family.
     
    “I’m Louis,” he said, offering his hand. “From the Mackenzie…actually from the NYC police department.” He deftly flicked his ID at the man, exposing just enough of his holstered gun at his hip to ensure the man knew it was there.
     
    “Yes, your chief called me ahead of time to say you were coming. I’m Sayeed Mehyar, but I suppose you knew that as well.”
     
     
    Without waiting for the detective to finish slipping his shoes off, Mehyar turned and made his way toward the back of the house where it opened up to what looked like a dining room.
     
    “I don’t have much time for your questions, Detective, which is quite convenient as I don’t have a lot to say on the subject or frankly, much patience for it either.”
     
    “By the subject you mean Paul Creed,” Louis said, impressed already by Mehyar’s miserable tone. This could be even more interesting than he had initially thought.
     
    Still not looking over his shoulder, Mehyar made a dismissive gesture and padded through the archway into the dining room. Louis followed, his expert gaze taking in every detail as he went. He wouldn’t be surprised if 'A place for everything and everything in its place' was the family motto. Nothing was out of order and everything was immaculate.
     
    Mehyar made his way on softly padding feet to a sunken living room that looked out on a large backyard complete with swimming pool. He gestured to one of the oversized chairs that were arranged perfectly around the fireplace.
     
    He sat, crossing his lean legs and templed his fingers in front of his mouth. Louis sat opposite him, waiting for his response.
     
    “He wasn’t my favorite person in the world. I make no apologies for that,” Mehyar said. “Nor am I shocked that someone finally got the nerve to end his life. I’m sure you’ll enjoy writing that in your little notebook.”
     
    Louis smiled one of his most charming, feckless smiles.
     
    “No little book here, I’m afraid,” he said. “I’ve been doing this long enough that I haven’t the need for one.”
     
    Mehyar grunted and looked away.
     
    “If it makes you more comfortable I’m sure I can dig one up for you.” Louis said, watching Mehyar’s expression in that gentle, predatory way of his. Not a smile. Not a single reaction.
     
    “That won’t be necessary.”
     
    “How long did you know Creed, may I ask?” Louis questioned.
     
    “Far too long. We were roommates all through college and then, unfortunately, colleagues in the department.”
     
    “Was he well liked?”
     
    Mehyar laughed dryly, uncrossing and crossing his bird-like legs as he did so.
     
    “By certain people. And by ‘certain people’ I mean those who were stupid enough to believe his drivel. Or women. Women followed him like rats did the Pied Piper.”
     
    “So it’s safe to say then, that you did not particularly get along. Would you say there was history between the two of you?” Louis’ purposeful