Her Dying Breath by Rita Herron Read Free Book Online Page A

particulates.
    She ignored him, and directed Louis to start shooting live footage.
    “This is Brenda Banks coming to you outside the Slaughter Creek Motel, where a man’s body has been found. Special Agent Nick Blackwood and Sheriff Jake Blackwood are both on the scene, along with Deputy Mike Waterstone.” She gestured toward the police car and ME’s van.
    Jake appeared from the motel lobby with the motel manager, a thin rail of man with a bad toupee, smoke-stained teeth, and a set of keys jangling from his left hand.
    Brenda made a beeline toward them.
    “Sheriff Blackwood, what can you tell us about the victim?”
    Jake shot her a look of disdain. “Unfortunately we have found a deceased man, but the ME has not confirmed cause of death yet.”
    “Have you identified the victim?”
    “Not at this time.” Jake gestured toward the crime scene tape that his deputy was beginning to roll out to cordon off the area. “Now, please stay behind the tape and let us do our jobs.”
    “Of course.” Brenda faced the camera. “Ladies and gentlemen, as soon as we have details on this case, we will inform you. What I can tell you right now is that an anonymous tip was received tonight, alerting authorities to this crime. Details are not clear as to the circumstances surrounding the death, but we should know more soon.”
    Jake and the motel owner had reached the doorway. “Get a shot of the manager,” Brenda said to Louis.
    Louis already had the camera trained on the man. A moment later, Jake led the manager back outside. The man looked peaked, leaning against a tree as if he might be sick.
    Brenda rushed to him. “Sir, you are the manager here, correct?”
    Jake gave her a warning look. “Don’t say anything, Mr. Feldon. This is an official investigation.”
    The older man rubbed his head, sending his toupee askew. “I don’t know anything.”
    “Who rented room seven?” Brenda asked.
    “Brenda,” Jake said. “I told you we have no comment. Next of kin has to be notified before we can disclose the man’s name.”
    “That means the dead man
did
reserve the room, not another party?” Brenda pressed.
    Nick glared at her again, then motioned for Jake to join him and the crime techs heading into the room. Mr. Feldon pulled out a Marlboro and lit up, his hand shaking as he flicked the lighter.
    “Mr. Feldon, was the man alone when he checked in?” Brenda asked.
    “I didn’t see anyone with him,” Feldon muttered as he took a deep drag. “Man paid cash.”
    “Do you have security cameras in the lobby?”
    “Don’t have a camera,” the man said. “But after this, I guess I need to install one.”
    Brenda gestured toward the pickup and RV. “Was he driving one of these vehicles?”
    The embers of the cigarette sparkled against the night sky as Feldon flicked the ashes onto the ground. “Didn’t see the car. I was watching TV and barely looked up when the man dropped cash on the counter and took the key.”
    “You don’t have your renters leave their car tag numbers with you?”
    The manager’s eyes, which were set a little too close together, narrowed in anger. “Lady, look where we are. We rent by the night, by the hour sometimes. I mind my own business. Now mind yours.”
    “A dead man is lying in one of your rooms, and it appears to be murder,” Brenda fired back. “If you saw something, you need to help the police.”
    He dropped the cigarette into the dirt and smashed it with his boot, then strode back toward the office. “Like the sheriff said, lady, I ain’t got nothing to say to you.”
    Brenda bit the inside of her cheek as he stalked off. He was already lighting another cigarette by the time he reached the office. Deputy Waterstone had finished winding the crime scene tape, so she headed toward him.
    “Deputy Waterstone, did you find out who the two vehicles in the parking lot belong to?”
    The deputy ran a hand through his thick blond hair. He was handsome, a flirt with the ladies in