Deadly Fall by Susan Calder Read Free Book Online

detectives a few hours to get here and had decided not to warn Hayden they might show up. If he acted too prepared, it might increase their suspicions.
    â€œI was just about to call you.” He closed the file he had been reviewing when she came in and placed it on the stack to his left. “Why on earth would they think you did it?”
    She explained about Callie’s cell phone calls sent from the trail. The file on top of the stack teetered; it tilted more and more and finally spewed its papers onto his blotting pad. Every surface of his desk was covered with folders, paper and pens. By all accounts he was a competent lawyer. She didn’t know how he kept on top of his work.
    â€œWhat kinds of questions did they ask you?” she said.
    He stuffed the papers back into the file. “They were here a good half hour and caused quite a stir in this place. I’m sure some of my co-workers were hoping to see me hauled out in handcuffs.”
    She reached under a folder for the music box, the only personal item in his office aside from photographs. For the second time today, she missed smoking for how it occupied her hands.
    â€œThey asked how long I’ve known you,” he said, “how long we’ve been dating, if I’d seen or talked to Callie. They wanted details of your movements yesterday. I may not have helped when I said you were a bit of a night owl and I’d never known you to go to the office at that hour in the morning. It slipped out . . .”
    â€œThanks a lot, especially since it was your fault I went in early.”
    â€œIf it’s any consolation, they also wanted details about me, in case we’re in cahoots.” He got up to close his window blind against the setting sun that blurred the Rocky Mountains zigzagging along the horizon. The mountains looked their best in the morning splashed with eastern light and would be spectacular in a couple of weeks, after a dump of snow.
    He returned to his desk. His surroundings were messy, but his person couldn’t be more proper and neat. Clean shaven, short dark hair parted to the side with patches of gray above the ears, he wore a business suit, pale blue shirt, and conservative blue and gray tie. The detectives would have to be impressed with the company she kept.
    â€œI wouldn’t worry about it,” he said. “The police aren’t going to impulsively arrest the wrong person.”
    â€œYou know that’s not true. Don’t try to make me feel better.” She shifted the holograph picture on the music box lid so the trumpet player’s cheeks puffed out and in. “I suppose I’m keeping you from work.”
    â€œI do have a trial coming up in a couple of weeks.”
    â€œCallie’s funeral is Monday morning. Can you get the time off?”
    â€œI have a meeting with my client. If you want me to go, I might be able to reschedule—”
    â€œDon’t you want to be there for yourself?”
    â€œI only knew Callie in passing, through her husband, Kenneth. I saw her, maybe, twice in the past thirty years. Will your ex be going?”
    Was he worried about meeting Gary? About his position in the legal community, if he was connected to her, a potential suspect? “I talked to Gary this afternoon. He’s leaving Sunday on a cruise, with his girlfriend.
    â€œYour daughters?”
    â€œLeah might want to go. She used to be close to Skye and Callie. Although Leah always says she’s against formal rituals.”
    â€œThat figures.” Hayden glanced at his cluttered desk. He didn’t want to rearrange his life to attend the funeral of someone he barely knew, but would do it if she asked.
    â€œDo you realize,” she said. “If it weren’t for Callie, you and I wouldn’t have met?”
    He and his nephew had attended Skye’s play. Paula had gone with Callie and Leah. Hayden recognized Callie from a charity event she had