Deception by Sharon Cullen Read Free Book Online Page A

us or with the killer?”
    “That’s not fair.” How could he make things right between them when she refused to accept him as is?
    “You’re right.” She turned back to her batter. “That wasn’t fair.”
    Why did they always skirt the issue? Why couldn’t they come out and say what they meant? Just like last night when she’d stood in his doorway. All he’d had to do was say the right thing, indicate in some way that he wanted to talk about it, but he couldn’t find the words. Or the courage. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
    “Tony’s stopping by this afternoon. I need to talk to him about what’s been going on and about the case.”
    She added ingredients into the bowl, her back to him. “Remember your physical therapy appointment’s today.”
    “I’ll be ready.” He swung around and headed for the shower. Once again he’d missed an opportunity.
     
    ***
     
    That afternoon Alex met Blankenship and Upton at the front door. Between them, they carried a new door.
    Tony whistled, a puff of steamy air escaping his lips. “Look at you, man. Using a cane already.”
    They left the door on the porch and stepped in, stamping snow off their shoes and rubbing their hands together.
    The cane had been his idea. The physical therapist had said he would be using the walker for at least three more weeks, but he’d be damned if he would lug that thing around another minute. He’d told Tess they’d approved the cane and insisted she stop and buy one on their way home. He figured the mental relief of the cane far outweighed the physical benefits of the walker.
    Tess came in from the kitchen. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her nose pink, and again he wondered if she’d been crying.
    His partner held his arms out and enveloped her in a bear hug. “How ya doin’, honey?”
    She laughed and patted Tony on the back. Upton smiled at her, the crinkles around his bright blue eyes adding to his good looks. He and Tess had always gotten along and that never sat well with Alex. He trusted Tess completely, but he didn’t like the way Matthew Upton tended to ignore his own wife when another woman entered the room.
    She turned to Alex. “I have to make some deliveries. Call me on my cell phone if you need anything.”
    His gaze went to the window and the light snow falling outside. “Maybe I should go with you.” He didn’t like her out there all alone. Unprotected.
    “I’ll be fine.” She sniffed. “Besides, you can’t ride in the van for that long. I’ll call Tony if I need something.”
    Tony patted her on the shoulder. “Just call, I’ll come runnin’.”
    Alex swallowed a rush of uncomfortable emotions. Of course she couldn’t rely on him. He couldn’t even drive, for Christ’s sake. And of course Tony would offer to help. The three of them had been friends for years and if Tony were in this situation, Alex would do the same. “Are you okay?” he asked her.
    She sniffed again. “I think I’m getting a cold.”
    “Maybe you should wait.”
    “I’ll be fine. And I need to get these delivered.”
    Upton and Blankenship helped her carry the pies and cakes out to the van while Alex sat on the couch feeling helpless and unnecessary. The two saw Tess off and came back into the living room, bringing the scent of the cold air with them.
    “Heard you’ve been having some trouble,” Tony said.
    Alex shifted his leg to ease the throbbing. “Some idiot running through my backyard last night and this—” he waved at the door, “—this morning.”
    Upton leaned forward in the chair he’d plopped down in, all cop now that Tess had gone. “Who responded last night?”
    “Guy named Reynolds. Wilkins showed up later.”
    “Wilkins is an ass,” Tony said.
    Alex shrugged but privately agreed. He’d never liked the man’s condescending attitude.
    “You think this thing last night and this morning have to do with the person who shot you?” Upton asked.
    “Yeah, I do.”
    “You remember anything