Burning Justice by Leighann Dobbs Read Free Book Online Page B

gray slacks. A tie hung half-loosened at his neck. No suit jacket. I pictured it thrown over the back of the couch. He didn’t look like a grieving husband.
    “Can I help you?” he asked gruffly.
    Lexy held up the bakery box. “I’m very sorry to disturb you, but I was a friend of Evangeline’s. I heard the news and I’ve come to offer my condolences.”
    While his gaze was flicking from the box to Lexy to me, she gently pushed him aside and made her way into the expansive, marble-tiled foyer.
    Her gesture had forced him to open the door wider and I could see the house was lavishly decorated. Across from the foyer, a large opening with columns on either side led into the living room, whose other wall boasted floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lake.
    Mahogany plant stands with Boston ferns on top of them flanked either side of the doorway. To our right, just inside the door, was a tiger maple veneer table with an inlay design. A pile of mail was stacked neatly on its edge.
    Lexy’s eyes darted around the foyer as if she was scoping it out for a future robbery. The back of her hand flew up to her forehead and she staggered a little, shoving the bakery box into the man’s hand.
    “Oh, dear,” she said as she bumped against the table, brushing against the pile of mail. Letters, magazines and appointment reminder post cards fell to the floor, scattering around the base of the table.
    “Sorry!” She bent down to pick up the mess. “I spent the morning baking and I’m a little out of sorts. Don’t worry, I’m okay.”
    The man set the box down on the table. “Let me help you.”
    Lexy waved him off.
    “No, no. I’m old, not incapacitated!” She said sharply as she continued to gather the mail at an incredibly slow pace.
    When she was done, she stood up and placed the pile neatly on the table. “There, now. Sorry about that.” She smiled brightly at the man, then looked pointedly at the bakery box. “These are fresh-baked this morning and they go lovely with coffee.”
    The man’s brow creased. “Right. And who did you say you were, exactly?”
    Lexy shoved her hand out. “I’m Lexy Baker-Perillo. I was a friend of your wife, Evangeline.” She cast her eyes down appropriately.
    Another man appeared in the hallway. His facial features were strikingly similar to the man who had opened the door, which I'd assumed was Nathan Barrows. This man was the same height and build. Brothers? The new guy was wearing sweatpants and a white T-shirt with an unbuttoned red and black plaid flannel thrown over it. He had red-rimmed eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses.
    “You knew my Vangie?” he asked, answering my unspoken question as to which one of them was Nathan.
    “Oh, yes, I’m sorry. You’re her husband?” Lexy cast a suspicious glance at the other guy.
    “Yes. I’m Nathan Barrows.” The man gestured towards the other guy. “This is my brother, David. How did you say you knew Vangie? I don’t remember her mentioning you …”
    “Oh, she probably wouldn’t have,” Lexy said. “We met in the waiting room at the dentist a couple times. You know, Dr. Richfeld.”
    Nathan nodded. Apparently, Evangeline did go to Dr. Richfeld, but how in the world did Lexy know that? David looked at me. “Are you a friend of Vangie’s, too?”
    “Oh, no,” Lexy cut in. I was starting to wonder if she was going to let me do any of the talking. “This is my granddaughter. I asked her to give me a ride over. I heard the news on the police scanner this morning and … well … you know, it’s proper etiquette to come and express your condolences like this, even though it seems to have fallen by the wayside with the younger generation.”
    Lexy shot a pointed look at the two men as if daring them to prove how uncouth the younger generation had become and not invite her in, then she tossed her head and made her way into the living room, sneaking a wink in my direction.
    The men followed her in with me trailing behind. The