Full Frontal Murder by Barbara Paul Read Free Book Online Page A

the case, but instead one more ugly incident: a fire at the home of Rita Galloway. During the wee hours someone had heaved a brick through the dragon window and followed it with a Molotov cocktail. The alarms going off had awakened everyone on the street. Heron Security had been there within minutes and summoned the Fire Department. The explosion was small and the damage minimal; the fire had been quickly contained to the dragon window room and part of a connecting hallway. The gasoline in the wine bottle had been a minimum amount needed to cause ignition—an act of harassment rather than arson or attempted homicide.
    â€œBring him in,” Marian ordered.
    No Heron Security man had been watching the house at the time it happened; their orders were to remain until the lights were turned out for the night. Right now Rita Galloway and Bobby were staying at her brother’s place on the West Side until repairs could be completed and the smell of smoke no longer lingered. Alex Fairchild had hired bodyguards to stay with his sister and nephew around the clock; brother and sister both were frightened and angry and demanding Hugh Galloway’s arrest. Bobby had been told only that the house had caught fire, but nothing about the cause.
    Perlmutter and O’Toole had gone to the headquarters of Galloway Industries and told Hugh he could either come in for questioning voluntarily or they could arrest him as a material witness. He called his lawyer and came voluntarily.
    The in control man Marian had interviewed the day before had given way to one in the grip of a titanic rage. “Do you really think I would set fire to a house where my son is sleeping? Don’t you see? Rita did it herself! That woman is evil , evil to the core!”
    â€œWhy should she set fire to her own house?” Marian asked, knowing the answer.
    â€œWhat was the first thing you did? You hauled me in here. That’s what she wanted. She doesn’t give a damn about Bobby’s safety—just so she can get me . Why can’t you see that? Because women don’t do things like that? Because Rita’s poor-little-me act convinced you she’s the victim here?”
    â€œI’d say Bobby is the real victim. Where were you at 3 A.M. ?”
    â€œIn bed asleep, of course. And before you ask—yes, I was alone. I’ve slept alone since before Rita and I separated. My father was asleep in his bed, and I assume the servants were asleep in theirs. Now, Lieutenant—are you going to arrest me because no one was sitting there watching me sleep while my house was being firebombed?”
    â€œYou still consider it your house, Mr. Galloway?”
    â€œDamned right I do. The deed’s in my name. I offered to give Rita the house if she’d agree to let me have Bobby. But she wants more than a house. She wants everything. Most of all, she wants to see me ruined and humiliated. Prison would take care of that. Have you brought her in for questioning?”
    â€œHow many times did you try to take Bobby out of preschool?”
    â€œWhat? Oh … just the once. I told you that yesterday.”
    â€œThe school director said you tried twice.”
    â€œOnce, twice, what’s the difference? No—the director’s wrong. It was only once. Why the hell are you asking me about that at a time like this?”
    Marian left the questioning to Perlmutter and O’Toole. She walked down the hall to Captain Murtaugh’s office. “Jim? Got a moment?”
    He waved her in. “How’s it going?”
    â€œAbout as expected. She accused him, he’s accusing her.” She sat down and took a deep breath. “I don’t think he did it.”
    â€œReason?”
    â€œI don’t believe he would endanger his own son. The little boy’s just too important to him. Hugh Galloway is probably every bit the son of a bitch his wife says he is—he’s tried to buy Bobby from her, for one