Death by Temptation by Jaden Skye Read Free Book Online Page B

owns ships that are involved in import and export trading. He
certainly doesn’t help humanity, the way Kara does.” Alice seemed to have deep
feelings about this.
    “Do
you work, Alice?” Cindy wanted more.
    “I
do volunteer work,” Alice snapped, “fund raising for third world children.”
    “Like
mother, like daughter,” Cindy murmured.
    “Thank
you,” said Alice. “I’m proud of it.”
    “And
how does your husband feel about his daughter’s work?” Cindy wondered if this
could lead somewhere.
    “He
doesn’t get it,” said Alice. “He doesn’t get lots of things. Rod’s a guy’s guy,
always wanted a son and we never had one, just Kara. Rod’s crazy about Rowley,
though, was thrilled about the marriage. But this morning Rod was so upset he
told Rowley that he always thought Rowley would do anything in the world to
protect Kara. Rowley start shaking and said he would—anything.”
     Both
Alice and Cindy fell silent then at the same moment. Cindy looked at the water
rolling under the bridge and felt the morning turn into early afternoon. The
day was moving on, time was passing, and with each hour it was less likely that
Kara would return.
    “What
do you really think happened to Kara?” Cindy pressed.
    “It’s
a mystery to me.” Alice’s voice turned brittle.
    “Think
hard,” Cindy demanded.
    “I
don’t know.” Alice became agitated. “I told you, I don’t believe she’s gone, I
believe she’s alive and close by.”
    “Is
it possible somebody took her?” Cindy asked bluntly.
    “I
can’t imagine why.” Alice now seemed near tears.
    “What
else could have happened?” Cindy became relentless. “Could it have been
something gone wrong between her and Rowley?”
    “What
are you inferring?” Alice became panicky. “Are you saying Rowley harmed Kara?”
    “Not
necessarily,” said Cindy. “But they could have had a fight, ran into a problem.
Kara could have been fed up.”
    “Kara
didn’t run away on her own, if that’s what you mean. That isn’t Kara. She’s the
kind of woman who stares a problem in the eye and handles it as soon as it
surfaces.”
    Cindy
wouldn’t give up. “Kara and Rowley knew each other for quite a while, didn’t
they?”
    But
Alice had enough. This question was one too much! “They knew each other, they
loved each other,” she exclaimed. “I don’t know what you’re implying! I really
don’t know, but I know I had enough for this morning.” Then she jumped up off
the bench, turned and, like quicksilver, fled away.
    Cindy
jumped up, eager to catch up with Alice and explain herself. But she stopped
herself midstream. Alice obviously needed to get away from her, have time to
digest all this alone. Cindy felt bad that she’d pressed so hard, but time was
of the essence here. What other choice did she have?
    Cindy
gave Alice time to get further down the road alone before she herself walked
back to the hotel slowly, wondering if Alice was right. Was Kara nearby, still
alive, waiting and begging to be found? Was there someone who could hear her
begging and track her down to where she was?
     
    *
     
    Once
back in the hotel Cindy went straight up to Rowley’s room, hoping Alice would
be there and that she’d be able to apologize.
    As
Cindy approached the door, the two policemen who’d been stationed in the room
were walking out. “Anything new?” Cindy asked as they stood opposite one
another.
    One
of the cops shook his head. “Nah, the body hasn’t turned up and the husband’s
clean as a whistle.”
    “You
spoke to Rowley?” Cindy asked.
    “We’ve
been speaking to him all along,” the cop continued. “There’s nothing to suggest
he’s involved in what happened.”
    Cindy
was relieved and also skeptical that they’d come to the conclusion so fast.
    “You’ve
done a complete background check on him as well?” Cindy needed more answers.
    “I
told you, he’s clean as a whistle,” the cop repeated.
    Cindy
nodded. “Okay, thanks,”