Choreographed Crime (Miss Demeanor 3) by Jackie Marilla Read Free Book Online Page B

tonight?”
    “I’m going home with Patricia. She needs someone with her. She worshipped Edward.” Maile gave Clarissa a pat on her cheek.
    After Maile felt she’d done everything she needed to do in the building, she plucked her phone from her purse and called Mrs. Fernandez-Garcia. “Edward Berwin confessed to killing Floriano. He’s just been arrested.”
    The only words she heard from Floriano’s mother sounded like prayers.
    Then, she texted River, Cassie, Shay and Cory and simply typed, “Case solved.”
    Her last task for the day was a trip to a two-story house in Ballard.

Chapter Thirteen

    Lama tried not to think about Maile. He’d pick up his phone to call, and set it back down, only to pick it up again. Queen Lili sat on his lap and protested his sudden moves. Lama stood up, grabbed a Longboard from the fridge and put on an Israel Kamakawiwo’ole CD to try to soothe his nerves.
    His phone chimed the ringtone for Clarissa. He had to answer. She was still his friend, wasn’t she? And if he was anything, he was a good friend.
    “Kalama, Edward did it.” He barely heard her.
    “Did what?”
    “He killed Floriano. The police just took him away.”
    “Oh Clarissa. Are you okay?”
    “I am. I’m going home with our receptionist. I’ll check in later.”
    Lama pushed the red button and tried to digest the information Clarissa just shared. He knew they were all suspects—Edward, Charlie, Clarissa and himself—but he’d hoped Maile would find a stranger responsible.
    A rap on the front door broke Lama’s reverie. He opened the door and Maile fell into his arms.
    “He planned to kill me,” she sobbed. “I was next.”
    Lama pulled her into the house and held her until her crying eased. “It’s okay now, baby. You’re safe.”
    “I’m sorry I walked away from you yesterday. I felt confused and couldn’t think straight.”
    Lama kissed her forehead. “You had a job to do. A messy job, but you figured it out.”
    “Yeah, and almost got killed in the process.”
    “I’m glad you’re safe. Don’t think about that now.” He held her until she fell asleep in his arms.

    The next morning, Maile met with her partners at The Miss Demeanor Detective Agency. Detective Hamlin joined them in the conference room. River jerked her head up from her coffee and looked quizzically at him. Maile shook his hand and thanked him for coming.
    “I got a call at about four this morning,” Detective Hamlin started. “Edward Berwin is dead. Hung himself with his sheet. He was one very sick bastard.”
    Maile started to hyperventilate and her hands shook.
    “He’ll never be able to hurt you, Maile,” Detective Hamlin said.
    “What do you mean, hurt her?” River laid her hand on his arm.
    “He planned to kill her. It was the last entry in his notebook.”
    “Oh my God!” River gasped. The four women jumped from their chairs and wrapped their arms around Maile in a group hug.
    “Oh, honey,” Shay said.
    “I’m so glad you’re safe.” Cassie hugged harder.
    Cory wiped tears from her face. “You can’t get in a situation like that again, sweetie. Who would I play Scrabble with?”
    Maile’s body shook like she was cold. “It’s so unnerving to know someone planned to kill me.”
    “Of course it is, sweetie,” River said.
    Maile cried. “I did a lot wrong in this case and let my personal involvement with Lama shadow my research.”
    “You did a lot right in the case, too. Don’t forget that,” Detective Hamlin said. “You managed to find a killer after the police department closed the case.”
    River shook her head. “We need to focus on how to keep safe.”
    Shay said, “I carry a gun whenever I’m on a case.”
    “Any other suggestions, Gage?” River asked.
    “There’s a self-defense class that starts next week. Most of the rookies in the police department will attend, but it’s not a private class. I’ll send the information to you.”
    “I think we should all go,” Cory