One Deadly Sister (Sandy Reid Mystery Series #1) by Rod Hoisington Read Free Book Online Page A

friends.”
    “Really getting strange now. She owns the Jardin Café west of town. She’s Cuban-American from up north somewhere. I had the real estate listing for the restaurant for a full year. But I couldn’t move it. In the end, she bought it through another agent. I didn’t make a dime. I’ve never even met her.”
    “Another of Loraine’s lies. I wish I’d never gone to that party.”
    “Kind of cool of you to be so unconcerned about a woman’s age and leave with her. No one can accuse you of robbing the cradle. I guess all her cosmetic surgery can fool some men.”
    “I figured she was a little older. At first, I thought she might be as old as fifty. Then I got up close and started thinking sixty. Then Towson said she’s seventy something. Aren’t seventy-year-olds supposed to just read books and play bridge?”
    “Towson ought to know, he was married to her.”
    “What?”
    “Sure. Back awhile, before he was mayor. Her maiden name was Dellin. They met at a Mensa meeting. How’s that for classy dating?”
    “Married huh? How’d she ever get into Mensa?”
    “You keep implying she’s dumb. She must be playing you. Loraine is smart and sophisticated. You’re really out of it, you know. For a minute there I started to think somehow you might be a nice, harmless guy.”
    “Help me, Tammy. Why is she doing this to me?”
    “When did she tell you all this?”
    “This morning.”
    “You were with her this morning, where?”
    He hesitated and dropped his eyes. “Well, actually we were at a motel.”
    She raised her eyebrows at that. “This just keeps getting better and better. And you want my help?”
    “We just talked. I was enjoying an innocent Saturday morning at home, when she phoned asking for help. I went over. I had nothing to do with any of this until she phoned.” He leaned closer. “Is it possible Loraine is the one who was raped? That could be it. She didn’t want me to know. She’s calling out for help. She was hiding her bruises with her sunglasses. That’s why she didn’t want the lights on in her motel room.”
    “Or to hide her wrinkles. So you two were just talking in the dark, both fully dressed at all times, of course. You’re one sad case. Does what you just said make any sense to you? Let me tell you, Sonny Barner is no match for her. If he ever accosted her, she'd aim that death ray look of hers at him until he started shaking, then with a snap of her fingers he’d dissolve down into a slippery, greasy spot.”
    “She seemed so defenseless, like she needed help.”
    “Loraine hasn’t been helpless since she started changing her own diapers. Then again, maybe she had some other reason for shooting Barner. If in fact she did. Anyway, it’s not your concern. Get out of it.”
    “I thought I could straighten it out. I’m going back and confront her now. She has to explain all this. I gave her a deadline of three o’clock to get a lawyer. I won’t wait that long if she’s been lying to me.” He glanced at his watch again.
    “Deadline? What are you talking about?”
    “I told her I’d hold off going to the police about the shooting until three. It’s after one now.”
    “Wait, wait, wait, you’re not going to the police. You are not going to the police.” She put the palms of her hands on the table and leaned toward him. “Haven’t you ruined my life enough for one day? Have you told anyone about my supposed rape?”
    “No!”
    She raised her voice, “Are you certain? I don’t want to be the victim in any gossip. Any such rumors could ruin my reputation and my business. Were you so crude as to discuss it with Towson?”
    “No, swear to God. I was careful not to mention it to him.”
    “You absolutely are not going to the police.” Now she was furious, her voice was firm and sharp, “Get this straight, if you mention one word of this malicious story to anyone, including the police...especially the police. I’ll sue you for defamation or whatever I