Paid in Full by Ann Roberts Read Free Book Online

planned on any life but law enforcement. Consequently, she couldn’t visualize herself in another career. She lacked the skills, interest or education for every profession suggested by friends and family. As a believer in providence, she put her future in its hands and waited, all the while living off her meager savings. Three months later she was starting to lose hope until one morning she opened the newspaper and read an article about the predicted housing boom in Phoenix. She enrolled in real estate school before finishing her coffee. Providence proved correct and after twelve years, Ari was now a seasoned veteran and associate broker at thirty-three. Like most agents, she was selfemployed and kept her own hours. For a monthly fee, Allstar provided all of the necessary office equipment and receptionists who fielded the incoming calls and paged the agents when necessary. It was a convenient setup, and Ari liked everything about her job—except the managing broker, the only person who had any authority over Ari’s professional life. Still, she could endure him on most days, since she only had to see him at office meetings.
    The paperwork and follow-up calls quickly ate up the morning. When Ari finally looked at the clock, it was noon, and a brunette bombshell was sashaying toward her, hips swinging from side to side like a supermodel. Ari waved at Jane Frank, her best friend and colleague. Both men and women turned their heads at the sight of her perfectly coifed shoulder length hair and painted China doll face. It was no surprise to Ari that Jane had fended off several marriage proposals from both sexes.
    Jane and Ari had dated for exactly one hour and twenty-six minutes, concluding halfway through their first date that they were totally incompatible. Although they were both certainly attractive, Ari’s Mediterranean beauty was derived from genetics while Jane’s depended on bottles, tubes and compacts. She knew every sales clerk at Neiman-Marcus and drove a Lexus, whereas Ari much preferred jeans, no makeup and her SUV. They were opposites who made great friends but could never be lovers.
    Jane noticed Ari packing her files away. “Heading out a little early. Got a hot date?”
    Ari blushed, thinking momentarily of Molly Nelson. “No, I’ve got some things to do,” Ari answered casually.
    A knowing smile crossed Jane’s face. “I imagine you’re gonna need a lot of Pine Sol to get the blood out of those floorboards.”
    “Shh!” Ari cautioned. She shut the door. “How did you know?”
    “They flashed a shot of the house on TV and I saw your sign.” Jane flicked a lint ball from her Dior jacket. “C’mon, tell me all about it. You know I always wanted to be a Charlie’s Angel.” Jane extended her fingers like a gun.
    Ari grinned as Jane shot down an invisible enemy. “Jane, Charlie’s Angels didn’t worry about breaking a nail.”
    “No,” Jane disagreed. “I’ll bet you money Cheryl Ladd’s manicure was always perfect. That woman had style.” Jane waved a finger at Ari. “Don’t change the subject,” she ordered. “I’m in no mood for idle chit-chat when good gossip looms. Tell me about yesterday right now or I’ll go to the press and spread an ugly rumor that you’re straight.”
    “Now there’s a threat,” Ari said, rolling her eyes. She dropped into a chair and barreled through the events of the last day, describing the dead body, her encounter with the sexy detective and, finally, Lily’s affair and Bob’s disappearance.
    “You know who you should talk to is Bob’s partner, Russ Swanson. If Lily doesn’t know where Bob is, Russ might.”
    Ari nodded. “Lily’s already called him. She got the same answer I did this morning—he’s not in.” She shifted in her chair. “How do you know Russ Swanson?”
    “I have my ways,” Jane said slyly, examining her perfect manicure.
    Ari wasn’t sure if Jane was telling the truth or just playing for attention, a typical Jane habit.