Camera Never Lies by Elizabeth Goddard Read Free Book Online

from Spencer to Mom, expecting an answer to my unspoken question. Though they’d not voiced an opinion, I assumed we’d all agreed to shelter Rene from the truth for as long as possible.
    Mom stood. “Polly, sorry, dear, but my head is killing me.” She gathered her purse. I don’t think she noticed her unintended pun. I watched her until she disappeared through the exit, leaving me.…
    Alone with Spencer.
    The waiter brought our desserts and discovered that more than half the table had gone.
    “If you don’t mind, we’ll eat our dessert, and you can return the others. Sorry, chap.” Spencer gave me his half-dimpled smile.
    My heart rate kicked up a notch. On the edge of my mind, I could sense my anxiety rising. Without my camera, I had no hope of controlling it. Migraines were like that. Somewhere in my head I would feel the smallest of throbs, and I knew if I didn’t control it soon with an analgesic, it would take over. But I had no drug for what troubled me now. I tried to conjure Murphy in his tuxedo again to relax but couldn’t even remember what he looked like. Did he have a dark patch on one eye or both?
    “I’m not sure I can eat now. Everything is just so…awful.” I stared at the Black Tuxedo Cheesecake on my plate. In my peripheral vision, I could see the rangers approaching tables to share the news. What made me think I could discover the killer on my own?
    “On the contrary, Polly. I’ve never known you to turn down cheesecake, and I believe the occasion warrants indulgence.”
    Spencer’s cell rang to the hip-hop tune of “I’ve Got the Power.” The song surprised me because it was a little brazen for his tastes, not to mention the fact he actually had cell service—something I’d not managed to achieve since arriving.
    He answered then shoved it at me. “For you.”
    I mouthed “me?” and took it from him. “This is Polly.”
    “You’re going to have to talk some sense into her,” Conrad said. I moved the phone from my ear, feeling as if his growl would include a bite or at least a nip.
    After bringing it close again, I answered. “Okay…um, I’ll be right there.”
    Spencer stabbed a fork into a piece of his strawberry cake, looking like he’d accepted his fate on a sinking
Titanic
.
    I scooted from the table. Rene and Conrad’s troubles were one thing, but Mom would become a person of interest if the rangers discovered her relationship with Alec and her outburst at the Terrace Café. As I looked at the man from my past sitting across from me, I considered that I might not come through this unscathed—I, too, had a relationship with Alec Gordon. Would the authorities discover my hidden ill will toward him?
    I could only manage a wan smile as I bade Spencer good evening.

    “But Polly, how can you believe we should continue forward with our wedding plans? Even if we did, even if it weren’t a bad omen, how could I ever forget this…this horrible weekend?” Rene broke into tears, her sob-speak tumbling out. “Our wedding should be the memory of a lifetime.”
    I put my arms around my friend and soothed her with words of encouragement, much like Mom had done earlier today for me. Rene was right, of course. If they’d been allowed to go about their lives, forgetting about Alec Gordon, then maybe the wedding wouldn’t become soiled with the murder. I wanted to say that if I loved a man like she loved Conrad, I wouldn’t allow anything to get in the way of marrying him. But I knew that comment would draw a sympathetic look from Rene, since she’d always believed Spencer and I were meant to be together.
    Instead I said, “I don’t have the answers. But I do know that if we pray about this and earnestly seek God’s leading, we’ll have our answer.”
    An inward pang, spiritual in nature, caused me to squeeze my eyes shut. Once again I was dishing out advice that I struggled to follow myself. When I opened my eyes, Rene had closed hers, believing I’d been in prayer. I