Dead Giveaway by Leann Sweeney Read Free Book Online Page B

soul. If not for her, Will might never have come into our lives.'' Her eyes filled with tears.
      ''Mom,'' Will said. ''I was supposed to end up with you no matter what.''
      She smiled sadly and nodded.
      Jeff reached out a hand to Will. ''Jeff Kline.''
      I noted that despite his exhaustion Jeff had enough energy for a huge smile and a vigorous handshake. Plus he'd introduced himself with his first name. Hmmm. I think the man is smitten.
      ''Fantastic last game in March despite the loss,'' Jeff said.
       Oh, yes. This was a love story in the making.
      ''Thanks, but we've got an awesome point guard. 'Course you know that.''
      ''You had thirty-four points, right?'' Jeff went on. ''And how many blocked shots?''
      I cleared my throat. ''Um, my breakfast is getting cold.''
      Mrs. Knight held out another loaded plate for Jeff, and Mr. Knight had snuck off for an additional chair.
      We crowded around the table and ate and talked about basketball. It was sort of like the first day of my immersion Spanish class at the University of Houston, the one I dropped after a week. I didn't understand a word of what Jeff and the Knights were saying. I only knew they all spoke the language but me.
      When we were through eating and Mrs. Knight refused my offer to help her clean up the dishes, Jeff addressed Will and his dad. ''As you probably know, Ms. Rose identified Verna Mae Olsen's body last night. I assume she informed you that Mrs. Olsen left her property to you, Will.''
      ''I did no such thing,'' I said. How I wanted to punch Jeff about now. I'd hoped to ease into that particular revelation.
      Meanwhile, Mr. Knight's jaw had dropped, and I heard utensils crashing behind me in the kitchen.
      Will said it all with his astonished, ''What?''
      Jeff looked genuinely surprised, and maybe even a tad embarrassed now that he realized I hadn't already spilled these particular beans. Beans. Yuck. I'd never before considered that expression might be a reference to coffee beans.
      Mrs. Knight came rushing back to join us, wiping her reddened hands on a checkered dish towel. ''That's why you're here? To recheck our son's alibi because you think he expected to inherit money from a stranger? Money he knew nothing about until this minute?''
      ''Ma'am, I have to contact or interview everyone who spoke with the victim recently,'' Jeff said. His throat was all blotchy above his collar. ''A phone call isn't enough.''
      ''Will would never harm anyone,'' a red-faced Mrs. Knight said.
      Jeff had regrouped and returned to his calm cop mode. ''I never said he did.''
      He had slipped up by not talking to me first, though. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but I suspected his mistake had more to do with Will the Sports Hero. Seems I had plenty to learn about this aspect of the man in my life.
      Mrs. Wright said, ''I think you should apologize to—''
      ''Annabelle,'' Mr. Knight cut in with an admirable take-charge tone. ''You're jumping to conclusions. Let the officer talk.''
      Jeff nodded at Mr. Wright. ''No problem, sir. I do apologize. Your son obviously was with you and his friends last night. We'll speak with the other young men present, but I'm sure they'll confirm what you've told me. My main purpose in coming was to ask a few questions about the meeting Miss Rose and Will had with the victim the other day.''
      ''Oh. That makes sense,'' Mrs. Knight said. By her embarrassed expression, you'd have thought I'd just told her that her dress was tucked into her panty hose.
      ''I believe I told you all about our meeting with Mrs. Olsen, Sergeant Kline,'' I said, trying to sound as patient and composed as Jeff.
      Will squinted and cocked his head. ''I get the feeling you two know each—I mean, aside from what went down last night.''
      ''How could you ever guess?'' I said. ''We know each other quite well, as a matter of fact.''
      ''From other cases?'' His eyes were bright with