Not Quite Clear (A Lowcountry Mystery) by Lyla Payne Read Free Book Online Page A

co-conspirator face or the concerned-about-Ameliaface or the eating pie at the diner face. “Starting with where you were on that night between eight p.m. and midnight.”
    “At Drayton Hall.”
    “Working?”
    “No.”
    “Can anyone vouch?”
    “Daria.”
    His eyes widen slightly. “The medium?”
    “Yes. Is there some reason she’s not a reliable witness?”
    He coughs, then shakes his head. “No, I’ll check with her. I’m just…I don’t know. Surprised that you’re hangingout with her.”
    Irritation heats my cheeks. “Is this an interrogation or a role-playing game where you’re my big brother? You asked where I was when the bank was robbed. I was at Drayton Hall with Daria, and one of their employees can verify, as well, though I’d like to involve her only as a last result.”
    Having him interview Jenna Lee would force her to admit that she rearranged the camerasso Daria and I could avoid getting arrested again for being on private property off-hour, and that could lead to trouble. The last thing I want to give the restoration expert for her help.
    “No, the medium should be fine.”
    Travis is quiet for a moment, doodling in a notebook but not making any notes.  
    Impatience curls my fingernails into my palms. “Was there anything else?”
    “For the record,I don’t think you had anything to do with the robbery, Graciela, but if there’s anything you do know, now’s the time to tell me.”
    “Like what?”
    “Like where your father ran off to and if he broke into the bank safe before he left?”
    My cheeks grow hotter. “I don’t know the answer to either. I didn’t even know I had a father until about a month ago, so you’ll understand if he doesn’t share eachand every illegal act with me.”
    “Don’t get your dander up. I have to ask these questions, given the circumstances.”
    “By circumstances, do you mean my father’s record or the fact that whoever is robbing these places is making it look like a ghost is doing it? Or maybe the circumstance is the fact that you can’t seem to solve a damn crime without my help…”
    A guffaw from the direction of Tom Ryanhas Travis swiveling in his chair, ears crimson. “Get out. Go get a coffee, and find your damn brother.”
    Tom’s out of his chair and gone so fast I swear there’s a cartoon swirl of dust in his wake. Travis spins back to face me, his expression blank now. He can’t fool me, though. I pissed him off, but it’s hard to care. Especially when I did it on purpose.
    “I don’t give much credence to thisghost nonsense. That said, the rest of this damned town seems to think you’re normal as the day is long, so if you say you’re seeing ghosts, then you must be seeing ghosts. And if you didn’t rob that bank, or have something to do with robbing that bank, then someone’s setting you up.”
    “So you’re saying you need my help.”
    “I’m saying you should be a little more concerned. Because that timeframeI gave you? Bullshit. The cameras were doctored, and the robbery could have taken place at any time.” He levels me with a gaze that sinks my stomach. “Get serious, Miss Harper. If this were a different town, if your boyfriend were a different man, if I were a different detective, you’d be in danger of going down for this. I suggest we work together to find out why.”
    I nod, trying to swallow.My tongue and throat feel as though they’re coated in sawdust because this is one more ball that Travis is forcing to stay in the air. And I don’t even know how to juggle.  
    “Okay. What do you want me to do?”
    He takes a deep breath, sweat shining on his forehead as though he just climbed Everest. “The truth this time…was your father involved?”
    I consider my answer before letting it fly. My father,with his somewhat enviable talent for getting spirits to cow to his whims instead of the other way around, is certainly capable. He’s got the rap sheet to prove it.
    Still, I shake my head. “No. He