Claws for Alarm by T.C. LoTempio Read Free Book Online

ask me.”
    I turned to leave, and Jumanji shuffled in his cage.
    â€œGuilty,” he warbled. “Guilty, guilty, guilty.”
    Great.

FOUR

    I was up well before anyone else the next morning, made myself a quick cup of coffee, and arrived at St. Leo’s Central Station, an imposing building located in the downtown area, a few minutes past 7:30 a.m. As I entered the lobby, a tall, slender, sandy-haired man rose from the bank of chairs and started toward me. He was wearing a navy pin-striped suit that draped nicely on his tall frame, a white button-down shirt, and a navy and yellow striped tie, and was carrying an expensive leather briefcase. He extended his free hand. “Nora Charles? I’m Peter Dobbs.” He grinned, slow and easy. “The description Daniel gave me was spot-on. Beautiful redhead, hourglass figure, snapping green eyes, walks with confidence—it fits you to a tee.”
    Heat seared my cheeks as I shook his hand. “Wow, I’m at a loss. Daniel didn’t describe you at all, Mr. Dobbs.”
    He held up one hand. “It’s Peter. Mr. Dobbs is what folks call my father—or my uncle.”
    He had a manner about him one couldn’t help but find appealing, and in spite of the situation I found myself grinning. “Okay, Peter. I don’t want to waste any time. What can you tell me about my sister, and when can I see her?”
    He put his hand on the small of my back and guided me over to the bank of chairs. Once we were seated, he set his briefcase on the floor between us and said, “As soon as I got off the phone with Daniel I came straight here. She was still being processed, but they let me have a few minutes with her. She appeared to be doing well, under the circumstances. Naturally, she was a bit confused, and a mite indignant as well. I have a few friends on the force, so I used my influence to have them handle her with kid gloves. They kept her here overnight, pending arraignment. If she’s denied bail, they’ll want to transfer her, but if we can get a quick court date, she’ll most likely be kept locally, at County Jail. And believe me, if she’s got to stay in jail, far better here than the alternative. Here her cell mates would only be a few vagrants or drunks. Elsewhere . . . you get the idea.”
    I winced at the thought of my free-spirited sister behind bars no matter where the locale. “What do you think her chances of bail are?”
    â€œDepends on what they decide to charge her with. First-degree offenders rarely are granted bail, and in your sister’s case, well, she was caught holding the murder weapon, standing over the body, plus she threatened him in front of witnesses. Second-degree or manslaughter would be a stretch.” He ran his hand through his hair, mussing the sides. “In any event, I’mgoing to argue she be granted bail. I’m sure you’d prefer she not be incarcerated in prison during the trial. Unfortunately, she’s appearing before Judge Blaskowitz, and he’s a stickler for the letter of the law.” He reached into his pocket for a packet of mints, held one out to me. I shook my head, and he popped one in his mouth. “Be warned, though, if Blaskowitz does grant it, it’ll be high. Very high.”
    I set my jaw. “That’s okay. I have savings, and I have my shop. I’m sure I can meet it.”
    He nodded. “Lacey is lucky to have a sister like you.”
    â€œI’m sure she’d disagree with that. We really don’t get along all that well.”
    He chuckled. “No sibling gets along one hundred percent of the time with the others. I haven’t spoken to my brother or my sister for months.” He shoved his hands in his pocket. “You’re familiar with the details leading up to her arrest?”
    I grimaced. “I know she was found with the body holding the murder weapon. And I know she’s supposed to