Green-Eyed Envy by Kasey Mackenzie Read Free Book Online Page B

made the phone calls for us. She had time before sitting in on the latest autopsy with Sahana.” We’d decided one of us should be there for that, especially since the lab results for the first two Cats were supposed to come in today.
    We made our way to the elevator in the middle of the garage, rode the empty car to the ground floor, and passed through a tunnel into the lobby of Meritton Enterprises. I let out a low whistle at the gleaming granite walls, expensive slate flooring, and shiny accessories surrounding us. Apparently, business was very good for Paul Meritton. Which went along with my unscientific theory that Harper’s exes just kept on getting better with age.
    An overly chipper male receptionist directed us to—where else?—the top floor and a secondary, even plusherlooking reception area. A chic woman in a stylish but no-nonsense suit introduced herself as Paul Meritton’s executive assistant, Clara Danvers, and offered us various and sundry beverages (though none alcoholic, more’s the pity). At our polite refusal she ushered us down a hall and through a solid wood door.
    Paul Meritton, CEO and sole owner of Meritton Enterprises, jumped to his feet and rushed over to welcome us the moment we stepped over his threshold. I’ll admit it, my knees—both this time—got a little weak when he turned the full force of his megawatt smile our way. Holy . . . he should be a supermodel, not heading up a medical supply corporation.
    Because damn , he was sexy. Coal black hair, olivetoned skin indicating Greek heritage, and warm brown eyes that could have been the template for bedroom eyes. He wasn’t as tall or muscular as his direct predecessor, Bryant Wilkins, but whoa , was he way more gorgeous. His cheekbones were to die for, his long eyelashes needed no mascara to make them fuller, and his unblemished complexion could have made angels weep. I tried to find a flaw in his physical features and just kept coming up empty.
    I can’t believe Harp broke up with someone so gorg—
    Then he spoke, and the mirage wavered. “Chief Holloway, Mr. Murphy, so marvelous to meet you both.” The high-pitched voice that came out of those perfect lips would have sounded so much more appropriate coming from the assistant he turned his attention to. “Clara, cappuccinos. Now.” The charming expression he threw our way turned to barely disguised derision when he glanced at the other woman.
    So, there’s reasons one and two. A voice that could make angels and devils weep, and rude to boot. It was actually a relief to find that his interior wasn’t as perfect as his exterior. And further illustrated that age-old adage about appearances being deceiving.
    He gathered up every ounce of his charm and guided us into decadent visitor chairs placed across from his high-end office chair. It was easier to see through the snake oil façade masked by his breathtaking good looks after having witnessed his shoddy treatment of his assistant—and okay, after hearing that godsawful, nails-on-chalkboard voice. Something about the light in his eyes when he focused on me had the hair on the nape of my neck standing at full alert. I frowned but couldn’t quite put my fingers on whatever was bugging me.
    “Now, then. Your partner mentioned something about a murder investigation, but I didn’t quite catch how exactly she thought I could be of assistance to you . ” Raised brows and a half smile indicated doubt that someone of his caliber could be in any way associated with something so distasteful as a murder investigation.
    I kept my expression bland but polite. “We have reason to believe that a serial killer is prowling the streets of Boston, Mr. Meritton.”
    He acted suitably surprised, though that could have been exactly that—an act. “How horrible. But that relates to me exactly how?”
    “An arcane serial killer.”
    “An arcane—but we haven’t had an arcane serial killer in I don’t know how long.”
    Try “ever.”
    Out