Lying in Wait by J. A. Jance Read Free Book Online Page B

were long-lost friends.
    "The way this morning started off, I didn't think anything good could possibly come of it," she said breathlessly. "But I'm very happy to meet you in person. Thank you so much for what you've done for the Rep. That Bentley of yours was a wonderful contribution. And it looks like it'll be an auction item again this year." Her face darkened. "The Guy Lewis trust, you know. The trustees decided to donate the Bentley for a second time. Of course, what happened to Guy and Daphne was a real tragedy…."
    I nodded, hoping to cut her off and steer the conversation into somewhat less volatile territory.
    Years earlier, the Belltown Terrace Real Estate syndicate, of which I am a member, had bought a pre-owned Bentley. A chauffeur-driven Bentley on call to ferry residents around town was envisioned as a one-of-a-kind building amenity--something unusual with some real snob appeal. Unfortunately, that selfsame wonderful-sounding upscale amenity had turned into a mechanical nightmare. No amount of high-priced tinkering from a series of inept mechanics could get the damned thing running right. It broke down time and again, stranding residents in any number of inconvenient places.

    In the end, and with me acting as point man, the syndicate had unloaded the British-made, decrepit albatross by donating it to a local charity auction. Months after the auction, both the unlucky purchaser and his wife had been murdered, but that's another story.
    "Coffee anybody?" Ron Elgin asked cheerfully, joining us in the living room. He was carrying a beautifully inlaid wooden tray. On it was a vacuum carafe coffeepot, mugs, cream, and sugar. He set the tray down on a rosewood coffee table. "Detective Danielson?"
    She nodded. He poured a cup and passed it to her. "Detective Beaumont?"
    "Yes, please."
    "Are you and Alexis Downey still an item?" he asked with a wink as he passed me my cup.
    "Not really," I said.
    "Too bad," he said. "She's a nice lady."
    Pouring a third cup, Ron Elgin handed that one to his wife. "Are you going to be all right now?" he asked, regarding her solicitously.
    Bonnie Elgin nodded and smiled gratefully as she took the cup from him. "Sure," she said. "I'm fine now, Ron. You go on to work. It was silly of me to let it throw me like that." She reached over and gave him a light peck on the cheek, which he returned with a husbandly hug.
    "Well, you're getting good service," he replied. "With all the gang warfare and drive-by shootings in town, I never expected the police department to send out two whole detectives to investigate a harmless little fender bender."
    Bonnie Elgin's smile disappeared. "It wasn't all that harmless," she said seriously. "That man could have been badly hurt. For all we know, maybe he is."
    "Do you want me to stay around for the interview?" Ron asked. "I will if you'd like me to."
    Bonnie took a deep breath. "No, that's all right. You're already late for your first meeting, and I'm not nearly as upset as I was when it first happened. You go on."
    "But you'll call if you need me?"
    "Yes," she agreed. "I will."
    "And don't forget to show them the wrench."
    "No. I won't."
    Ron turned back to Sue and me. "I do have to go," he said. "But I really appreciate your coming over right away like this. I didn't know Seattle's police department was this responsive."
    Neither did I. Ron Elgin left his wife standing in the middle of the room, hurried to the double entryway doors, picked up a waiting briefcase, and disappeared outside.
    "So you were the driver in this morning's hit-and-run?" Sue asked.
    I was surprised by the kindness in her voice. Sue was right. I had been distracted during the drive from Fishermen's Terminal, and I hadn't paid that much attention. But hit-and-run drivers aren't usually accorded all that much courtesy, not even when they finally come to their senses and report what happened.
    Bonnie Elgin nodded somberly. She settled into a huge but elegantly upholstered easy chair,