The Grave Soul by Ellen Hart Read Free Book Online Page B

ever said. I asked a few simple questions about Delia’s passing and Doug got all hot and bothered—thought I was interrogating him and Kevin. I mean, come on.”
    â€œDid you tell Kira what you overheard?”
    He looked down, shook his head. “How am I supposed to tell the woman I love that there’s a chance her family did have something to do with the death of her mother? Especially, when I have no proof. That is, until a few hours ago.”
    â€œWhat happened a few hours ago?” asked Jane.
    â€œThis.” He handed her the envelope. “Came in the mail.”
    Jane drew out a stack of five-by-seven photos. Stuck to the top photo was a yellow Post-it note. In black ink someone had printed:
    Proof Delia Adler was murdered. Stay out of it or the same thing will happen to you.
    There was no return address. The postmark read Henderson, Wisconsin. Flipping quickly through the stack, Jane found that each photo showed a woman in dark slacks and what appeared to be a red ski sweater. Her body lay halfway down the edge of a steep ravine, caught between several large boulders and a clump of leafless birch. She was on her back, legs bent at unnatural angles. The shots were all taken from above.
    â€œI wonder if the police did take photos.”
    â€œNo idea,” said Guthrie. “All I know is, someone wanted me to see them and hoped it would stop me from any digging any further.”
    â€œThe problem is,” said Jane, flipping through the stack a second time, “I see nothing here that proves Delia was murdered. And even if she was, these photos can’t tell us who did it.”
    â€œBut … see … that’s where you come in,” said Guthrie, shifting forward in his chair. “I heard that you’re a licensed PI now. You work part time with another guy—an ex-homicide cop.”
    â€œHe’s retired.”
    â€œRight. So, what if I hired you? The Adlers know who I am, but they don’t know you. Maybe you could spend some time in New Dresden, investigate them. Figure out what went on all those years ago.”
    â€œYou really want to pay me to prove that someone Kira loves is a murderer?” By the look on his face, he obviously hadn’t thought that one through.
    â€œI guess … maybe—” He scratched the side of his cheek. “Maybe I should tell her what I overheard. Show her the photos—”
    â€œYou think she’d want to see her mother like that?”
    â€œOkay, I won’t show them to her unless she wants to see them. But I can tell her about them and show her the note. If she wants to pursue it, then … we will. If not, I guess I wasted your time.”
    â€œI have to tell you,” said Jane, putting the photos back into the envelope, “even if Kira agrees to the investigation, I’m not taking any new clients right now. I’m buried in work here at the restaurant.” Guthrie looked so crestfallen that she added, “If you want, I could show the photos to my partner, A. J. Nolan. If, after you speak to Kira, you want to go ahead with it, he’d already be up to speed.”
    â€œIs he any good?”
    â€œHe’s the best,” said Jane.
    Guthrie considered the idea for a few seconds. “Yeah, that sounds perfect. Go ahead and show him the pictures. I’ll talk to Kira tonight, when I get home.”
    He wasn’t going to let it go. Jane stood up and offered her hand. “Good luck,” she said, thinking it unlikely that Kira would give such an investigation a green light.

 
    9
    Jane drove by Nolan’s house on her way home that night. Several lights burned on the first floor, so she parked her Mini on the street and headed up the walk, the photos tucked safely in the inner pocket of her leather jacket.
    She rang the bell and was surprised when he answered it almost immediately. “Jane, what a surprise,” he said, maneuvering his