The Killing Edge by Richard; Forrest Read Free Book Online

direction in which the investigation was leading, and that didn’t include dealing with the television and newspaper people in the morning.
    â€œWait just a damn minute!” It was patrolman Dave August’s voice from the hall.
    Will leaped for the door and was halfway down the hall when he realized the situation.
    Dave was crouched by the door with drawn service revolver. He had the gun extended in text book fashion and aimed at Noah and Raleigh.
    â€œThey’re trying to leave, Chief,” the voice croaked from the nervous officer.
    â€œOh, Jesus,” Will said half to himself. “It’s all right, Dave. Mr. Bridger has permission to go with his attorney. By the way, Raleigh, we’ll have to seal your house for a few days. If it’s not too inconvenient, could you stay somewhere else?”
    â€œHe’ll be at my place,” Noah growled as the two men angrily left the house.
    â€œDave, we haven’t shot down an attorney and banker in Lantern City for a number of years.”
    â€œThe bastard gave me a shove.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œThe banker prick, wouldn’t give me a mortgage loan last year either.”
    The door flew open to admit a tall man wearing a long black cape with a vivid red lining. He stomped his feet in a quick one-two that was almost a parody of a dance step. Doctor Joseph Farley laughed in a high falsetto.
    â€œIn case they didn’t tell you, Chief Barnes, the body is next door. Or maybe you don’t like the sight of blood. “He cackled wildly.
    â€œYou have anything, Doc?”
    â€œShe’s dead.”
    â€œJesus, that really helps.”
    â€œThe carotid artery has been severed causing an extreme loss of blood.”
    â€œThat occurred to me, Doctor. How about an educated guess as to the time of death?”
    â€œSometime between 7:30 and 8:30. We’re taking the bag to the office now. I’ll get you a full report in four or five days.”
    â€œFour or five days? You’re out of your mind.”
    â€œWell, I’m busy too, you know.”
    â€œWait a minute, Farley. I want a report in my office by noon tomorrow. Understand?”
    â€œI just happened to be on call tonight so you don’t have to get huffy. I also have guests waiting for me at home.”
    â€œYour guest is going to be on a slab in half an hour, and you had better goddamn well be bent over her doing your bit. Understand?”
    â€œWell, I never …” With a swirl of his cape the doctor stormed from the house.
    â€œCan we go home now?” L.C. asked from the couch in the living room.
    Will turned to see her curled up on the sofa with her legs pulled under her slim body. “The forensic people must be over there by now. I have to check on a few more things.”
    â€œWill.” She pulled him toward her and whispered in his ear. “You’ve got your striped boxer shorts on.” She covered a laugh as he glared and left the house.
    In order to avoid further conversation concerning dear old dad, and to preclude a further pig tour, it seemed circumspect for her to lie back on the couch and close her eyes. She felt a blanket pulled gently over her, and then heard the soft pad of the bulky man leaving the room.
    They would be taking Mauve Bridger to the ambulance, and then to wherever it was that Doctor Farley did his thing. Will and the state lab people would be combing the house, taking finger prints and a multitude of photographs.
    She stared at the ceiling and thought about the Bridgers. The first time she had met Raleigh was that day in the old house when Will forced her to come downstairs. She had found Raleigh at the kitchen table with the agency’s books and financial statements spread before him.
    He had looked up and smiled boyishly. “You need immediate operating capital in order to survive, and I think I know how we can get it.”
    She had numbly followed his tracings of possible secondary