Colby Velocity by Debra Webb Read Free Book Online Page B

mattress. He knelt down. Or under the bed. A few magazines, an MP3 player and two framed photos cluttered the bedside table. Along with a couple of twenty-dollar bills. Seemed a little strange that a burglar would leave cash lying around.
    The drawers of the bedside table contained the usual suspects: tissue, throat lozenges and a flash light. The only thing missing was a pack of condoms. Most single guys kept those handy.
    Before exiting the room, Rocky stood back and took one last look around.
    Then it hit him.
    There were several items in the room that shouldn’t have been if Burton’s theory was to be accepted.
    Rocky didn’t bother quieting his steps as he descended the stairs. Burton shot him a harsh glare but couldn’t drag himself away from the conversation with Kendra long enough to reprimand Rocky.
    â€œI’m not buying the robbery theory,” Kendra argued. “He was far too agitated last night. Something was very wrong in his life. Seems one hell of a coincidence that he was murdered a few hours later practically at his own door.”
    Burton flared his palms. “Our only option is to go with the evidence we find. Unless we discover some additional information that suggests otherwise our hands are tied. The case will be written up as a robbery-homicide.”
    â€œAnd go unsolved like the hundreds of others that occur in your jurisdiction every year.”
    Now that was cutting the guy off at the knees. This was the first time Rocky had watched Kendra in action out in the field. So far he continued to be impressed.
    Another of those annoyed glances arrowed Rocky’s way. Rocky hadn’t made a peep. Apparentlythe cop in his fancy suit didn’t like being dressed down by his former girlfriend in front of her new male partner.
    Burton dropped his hands to his sides and said nothing in response to her accusation. “Is there anything else here you want to see that” he cut Rocky another look “you haven’t already?”
    Kendra met Rocky’s gaze, he shook his head, then she said to Burton, “I guess that’s it.”
    When they were on the street once more Burton exhaled a big breath. “Look, I’ll keep you posted. There’ll be a final decision later tonight before we go public tomorrow morning.”
    â€œI really appreciate your support, Wayne.”
    Rocky headed for the rental car. Kendra knew what she was doing. If she needed some space to get what she needed from this guy, Rocky wasn’t going to stand in her way.
    The investigation was top priority.
    Still, he couldn’t help looking back as he reached the car. Burton gave Kendra another of those big hugs, only this time he held on a little longer than before.
    Rocky hit unlock on the remote and got behind the wheel. That part he didn’t need to observe.
    He stared at his reflection in the rearview mirror. Man, you are getting desperate way before your time.
    If Kendra Todd was into him he would know it by now. She wasn’t. He needed to get that through his thick skull and focus on the case.
    Kendra hurried across the street and to the passenger side. When she’d settled into the seat she smiled. “Drive around the neighborhood.”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” He started the car, waited until Burton had driven away and then eased from the curb. “Any particular reason or are we just checking out the architecture?”
    â€œI need to get to the patio.”
    â€œFor?” Rocky made a left at the first intersection.
    â€œThat’s where Yoni told me he’d hidden his backup hard drive.”
    â€œIf the cops didn’t find it,” Rocky countered.
    â€œTrust me, they didn’t find it.”
    Sayar must have had one hell of a good hiding place. “What’s your take on the robbery scenario?”
    â€œNo way,” Kendra said with absolute certainty. “Someone wanted it to look that way.”
    â€œI don’t