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

have threatened him in class earlier that day.”
    â€œIn front of over thirty witnesses,” Peter sighed. “She told me she’d made an appointment with him to look at more of her work for extra credit, but she was running late. She got to the office, and the door was slightly ajar. She went in and, at first, didn’t see anything, then she noticed a large red stain. She walked around the desk, saw Pitt sprawled beneath, the knife sticking out of his chest, and she just reacted. She bent over, pulled it out of him, and by the time it dawned on her what had actually happened, the guard had entered, yelled at her to drop the weapon. He moved pretty slowly, though, and when he went for the phone she took off.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Said she just had to get out of there. Sheneeded to think, to process what had happened. She said she wasn’t quite sure what she should do, and by the time she decided to go to the police, well, it was too late.”
    â€œAny chance there are other prints besides hers on that knife?”
    Peter shrugged. “Homicide hasn’t shared those results with me yet. But I wouldn’t bet on it.”
    I pushed hair out of my eyes with the heel of my hand. “It just seems like a setup to me. Her altercation with Pitt made her a perfect patsy for the real murderer.”
    â€œI had the same thought,” Peter admitted. “Of course, the murderer would have to have known about their late-night meeting.” He looked at me for a long moment, then said, “For what it’s worth, your sister denies having absolutely anything to do with his death. She said she was mad enough to kill him, but she didn’t.”
    I looked him straight in the eye. “Do you believe her?”
    He met my gaze. “Yes. I do.”
    I let out a heartfelt sigh. “I’m sorry. I had to ask. And I’m glad I did. I’m glad you believe in her, and this isn’t just a favor you’re doing for a friend.”
    His lips relaxed into a slow grin. “I’ve always been fond of Daniel, but there is no number of favors owed that would convince me to take a case I didn’t believe in. I’ll do everything I can to absolve her, but in order to do that I’ll need her help. Let’s just say your sister isn’t as cooperative as you’d expect a person in her position to be.”
    â€œKnowing my sister, I can imagine. You can rest assured, though, I’ll do anything I can to help prove her innocence.”
    His lips twitched upward, and I caught a glimmer of a twinkle in those eyes. “Yes, Daniel mentioned you used tobe a top-notch investigative reporter. And that you gave it all up to make sandwiches.”
    â€œNot just any sandwiches, either. They’re specialty sandwiches, with specialty names. Clear my sister of this murder charge and I’ll even name one after you,” I promised. “How does the
Peter Dobbs Panini
sound?”
    â€œIf it’s as good as your
Thin Man Tuna Melt
I’ll be flattered. Daniel raved about it.” He rose and took my arm. “Now, let’s go see your sister.”
    We walked down a long corridor and through a door marked SECURITY . Inside, we stepped through a metal detector, and I handed my purse over to a female officer. She gave it a thorough going-through and then handed it back, then went through the same procedure with Peter’s briefcase. Then we were escorted into a large room that reminded me of a hospital cafeteria. Gray metal tables were arranged in a large square. The chairs were a dull black, and the floor was a black-and-white checked pattern. The only bright spot was the large window along the south wall, which allowed the early-morning sunlight to pour into the room, brightening it up considerably. The officer waved her hand in the direction of the chairs.
    â€œHave a seat. She’ll be in shortly. The arraignment is set for