Divine Justice by Cheryl Kaye Tardif Read Free Book Online

glanced back at the man in the speedboat and allowed herself a moment to envy his freedom.
    Winkler is free too. You can't get freer than dead.
     
    The Nook Coffee Shop in the Embassy Hotel was quiet and quaint, with only a handful of guests occupying tables. Ben asked the hostess for a table in the far corner and Jasi followed him, her stomach gurgling in anticipation.
    "I'm starving," she said apologetically.
    She sat down immediately to Ben's right. That way they were both facing the room, a habit born from the desire to stay alert and alive. When the waiter arrived, she ordered the Eggs Benedict special and coffee, while her partner ordered a more traditional lunch, a cheeseburger and fries.
    "I need to wash my hands."
    She grabbed her purse and strode across the room. She pushed open the washroom door and moved to the sinks. That was when she noticed the other occupant at the opposite end.
    Jasi probably wouldn't have given her a second thought except that the woman's attire seemed out of place for a classy hotel. The woman's long legs looked like they had been painted into the black jeans. A black short-sleeved sweater with a plunging neckline showed off her ample assets. A simple gold chain with a small cross hung low, lost in her generous cleavage.
    " Merde! " the woman muttered. Her hand shook as she tried to apply a dark shade of lipstick.
    Washing her hands, Jasi eyed her surreptitiously.
    Tall and slender, the woman was about Jasi's age. Her pixie face and high cheekbones were framed by jet-black hair, cut short, choppy.
    "Can you pass me a tissue?"
    Startled, Jasi handed her the box of Kleenex.
    "Thank you," the woman mumbled.
    Brilliant blue eyes enhanced by dusky gray eye shadow examined her for a brief moment. Then the woman turned away to dab at the corner of her mouth, stopping suddenly when her hand trembled again.
    "Are you okay?" Jasi asked hesitantly.
    The woman let out a snort. "I'm supposed to be meeting someone. I'm a bit nervous." Her voice held a trace of accent, a mix of French and something else.
    "Blind date?"
    "More like a job interview."
    Jasi was surprised. There's only one job I can think of that warrants a neckline like that.
    It didn't surprise her to find an escort in the hotel. It wasn't uncommon for visiting dignitaries to use such personal services . However, it did surprise her that the woman was starting so early. It wasn't even lunchtime.
    Drying her hands, she glanced over her shoulder.
    The woman was leaning with her back to the sinks. She looked as if she were about to throw up.
    Must be one hell of an awful client, Jasi thought.
    "Uh, good luck on your, uh…interview," she said, heading out the door.
    The woman grunted. "Merci beaucoup."
    Back at the table, Jasi quickly dove into a plate of poached eggs, ham and hash browns, all slathered in rich Hollandaise sauce. It took mere seconds before she forgot all about the nervous escort in the washroom.
    Until Jasi saw her again.

6
     
    "Let's go over the report on Winkler," Ben said.
    Pushing his empty plate aside, he read the screen for a minute, then sighed. The report was less than he'd hoped for.
    "The accelerant used was regular gasoline," he said. "Remnants of his clothing match the suit that his wife reported he was last wearing. No trace."
    "What about the wounds on his scalp?" Jasi asked.
    "No match to any identifiable weapon." He paused as something in the report caught his eye. "Well, this is interesting. Someone called Monty Winkler at his home nearly every night for the past two weeks."
    "Who?"
    "Don't know. They used a payphone. Same one every time." He leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting across the room. "When we're done here, we'll have a talk with Marilyn Winkler. Actually, you can ask the questions. She might open up more to a woman."
    He froze when his gaze fastened on something.
    Or some one .
    A tall, slender woman dressed entirely in black was making her way across the floor. Her hair was short,