Lullabies and Lies by Mallory Kane Read Free Book Online Page B

downstairs.”
    “You’re the one who said you wanted to see the apartment. Them other detectives were interested in how the door’s hidden by the stairs.”
    “Right, right.” Hiram tucked his handkerchief back in his pocket.
    “I told Ms. Loveless I thought the wife was in the family way, but it was hard to tell. She stayed to herself and always wore them baggy dresses. But I never did see a baby. Then they up and left June 30, ’91. Just disappeared in the night.”
    “You remember the exact day they left?” Hiram hadn’t remembered. All he knew was, he and Ed had been job hunting together, up until the day he’d come by to pick up Ed and discovered they were gone. Surprised the hell out of him. And scared him, truth be told. He hadn’t slept for weeks, afraid the police were going to show up on his doorstep.
    He’d have bet his right arm that skipping town had been Janie’s idea. He’d never liked Janie. She’d always been weird, and ruthless. He wouldn’t have put it past her to turn him in for his part in their baby-selling racket. He’dbeen petrified that he’d go down alone. Nothing ever seemed to touch Janie. It was as if she were invisible.
    “Tell me, Mr. Mabry. Did you mention the date they left to the police?”
    “More’n likely.”
    The date was the one thing Janie was so worried about. Hiram had wondered why, until he’d spent a day searching through the newspaper archives, reading every news story from that day fifteen years ago. One story in particular had caught his eye, the story of the disappearance of a toddler from a public space, and suddenly it all made sense. He understood why Janie was so worried.
    It was nice, having something on her for a change. Maybe she’d pay him more, when she found out how much he knew.
    He knew the truth. Still, if he could find the answer that easily, then so could Sunny Loveless. So could the police. It would be obvious why Ed and Janie had fled town so abruptly. If Loveless had put the when and the why together, and if she’d told the police, Ed and Janie would be toast. And Hiram knew they’d take him down with them.
    “Are we done now?”
    Hiram shook his head, making a show of writing on the envelope. “Just a couple more questions. How is it you remember the exact date?”
    “Why, ’cause their rent was due on the first of the month. They skipped out on me the night before.” He shook his head. “First time I ever had a tenant skip out on me. I’ll never forget it.”
    Mabry shuffled over to the stairs and put his hand onthe banister. “I gotta get back downstairs. I’m missing Law & Order. The original. That’s my favorite.”
    The old man squinted at him. “You sure look familiar. You never lived here—I’d remember that. But you’ve been around before.”
    Hiram shook his head. “Not me. I guess I’ve just got one of those faces.”
    “Nope. I know I’ve seen you before. Right around the time the Grosses lived here. Let me see that badge again.”
    “I’m telling you you’re wrong.”
    “And I’m telling you I never forget a face.”
    Hiram felt sweat running down the side of his neck and pooling at the base of his spine. He couldn’t afford to have the old man recognize him. He needed to get out of here.
    “Well, you forgot this one. I hate that you had to miss Law & Order. ” He put out a hand, his heart pounding like a jackhammer. Old men tripped and fell downstairs all the time, didn’t they? “Here. Let me give you a hand.”

Chapter Three
    59 hours missing
    The next morning Griff slammed the door of his rental car and lifted his gaze to the brick Victorian house with its white gingerbread molding. In the early-morning sunlight it looked elegant and lovely and proud, just like its owner.
    A small wood-burned sign hung over the entrance. Loveless, Inc. We Specialize in Happy Endings.
    The ache in his chest grew. He ran his palm across his breastbone and took a deep breath.
    What would Sunny have to say