Gina Cresse - Devonie Lace 01 - A Deadly Change of Course--Plan B by Gina Cresse Read Free Book Online Page B

check.”
    “I see.  Did you notice anyone or anything unusual when you left?” he asked as he scribbled i n his notebook.
    “No.  I don’t recall anything out of the ordinary.”  I tried to remember if there were any customers in the shop when I left.
    “What time was it when you left here?”
    “I think it was about ten forty-five, maybe eleven o’clock.  I’m not exactly sure.”
    Detective McNight noted what I told him.  “Mrs. Lace — ”
    “Miss,” I replied.
    “Miss Lace.  Is there a number where we can reach you in case we have any more questions?”
    “Yes.  Of course,” I said, and gave him my number.
    Then he handed me a card with his name and number on it.  “If you think of anything that might be of relevance, please call me.”
    “I will,” I said as I took the card and placed it in my purse.
    I walked over to Sarah and put my arm around her shoulders.  “I’m so sorry, Sarah.  I just can’t believe this has happened.”
    “Oh, Devonie ,” she sobbed.
    “If you need anything, just let me know.  I have lots of free time, and I can help you make arrangements, or contact relatives — whatever you need.  Okay?”
    “Thank you.  I appreciate that,” she said, then blew her nose into an already overextended tissue.  I reached into my purse and took out a small pack of Kleenex.
    “ Here. ”  I handed them to her.  “Did they take anything from the store?”
    “No.  Margo was in the back, writing up the bank deposit slip when she heard a shot.  She ran out to see what it was, and found Joe lying on the floor behind the counter.  Whoever did it must’ ve gotten scared and ran, because Margo said the place was empty.”
    “I just can’t believe this is happening.  Do you have someone to stay with you?  You don’t want to be alone right now.”
    “Yes.  My sister is driving down from Los Angeles this afternoon, and my son is flying in tonight from San Antonio.”  She started crying again.  “I just don’t know what I’m going to do without Joe.”
    “I know Sarah — he was a good man.  But you’ll be fine.  We’ll all see to that.  Anything you need, I want you to let me know.  Okay?”
    She nodded as she sobbed into a fresh tissue.
    Detective McNight walked over and put a hand on Sarah’s shoulder.  “Mrs. Barnes.  We just have a few more questions for you, then I’ll have one of the officers take you home.  Will you please excuse us, Miss Lace?”
    “Sure,” I replied as I gave Sarah a hug.  My heart ached as I watched her leave with the detective.
    It finally struck me that my dear friend was gone — forever.  Tears began to well up and run down my cheeks as I crossed the street.  A car horn blared at me as I hurried to get out of its way.  Visions of the two-headed snake flashed back into my head.

 
                 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Guadalajara — 1995
     
    F rank Eastwood, the first FAA inspector to arrive at the crash site, walked stiffly around the rubble.  The location was so remote, he had to be brought in on horseback — a form of transportation he wasn’t accustomed to.  The twenty-year veteran had earned the respect of every official in the FAA. 
    By the time the others arrived, he had already sifted through much of the wreckage.  He had located the black box and was arranging to have it transported as soon as possible so it could be evaluated. 
    Dozens of people were working to locate and remove the charred bodies of the passengers and crew.  That was always the first priority.  Frank never got involved in the removal of the dead.  As many crashes as he had seen throughout the years, he could never get used to seeing the victims.  His sole responsibility would be to determine the cause of the crash.  Was it pilot error?  Mechanical failure?   Was it an act of terrorism?  Tho se were the questions Frank struggled to answer. 
    So far, he had found nothing to lead him