The Killing Edge by Richard; Forrest Read Free Book Online Page A

financing, remortgaging and establishing a line of credit with a commercial bank. The figures had tumbled and wavered before her until after an hour, clarity had returned, and she had pulled a chair closer to the table and begun to make notes.
    Five years ago the Bridgers had only recently arrived in town. Raleigh, a minor officer at a large Hartford bank, had been recruited by Wadsworth Strickland and brought to Lantern City. She thought back to what she knew of Raleigh.
    Evidently there wasn’t any money on his side of the family, as she knew he had been a scholarship student at Trinity. Immediately after graduation he had gone to work as a bank trainee. His natural abilities and looks had stood him well in a banking career, and eventually he had met and married Mauve.
    She had never known the dead woman well. Their life styles were so different that they had only occasional social contact. She knew that Mauve’s father had been an extremely successful bond salesman, and that the dead woman had attended that type of boarding school and junior college where the girls majored in athletics and sexual innuendo.
    There must have been turmoil and disappointment in their life when Wadsworth Strickland indicated to the board of directors of the bank that he wanted his son to be president. There had also been rumors about the marriage as Herb had indicated, but then again there were always rumors concerning attractive couples who lived on the point.
    A hand shook her shoulder and she awakened with a start. The uneasy dream of a man chasing her through the snow with an upraised ice skate was still vivid and real.
    She looked up at Will bending over her. “What time is it?”
    â€œTwo. We’re through for tonight. Come on and I’ll take you home.”
    Will flipped the car keys toward her and let her slide into the driver’s seat. He leaned back against the cushions and closed his eyes. “I’m beat, and tomorrow’s going to be a hell of a day.”
    â€œRaincheck on that brandy?”
    â€œNo, I could use a nightcap.”
    She drove carefully and competently, applying the brakes when necessary, in an easy pedal action so as not to skid in the deepening snow. In ten minutes they pulled into her parking area at the apartment.
    Lantern City Harbor Condominiums had been built three years earlier, and she had been one of the first to buy a unit with a choice view of the water. Outside of the countless hours of work at the agency and garage, it had been the first positive action she had taken after Frank’s death.
    L.C. gave Will a poke in the ribs. “I’ve got some Four Star that’s been hibernating in the cupboard.”
    â€œYou talked me into it.”
    They rode silently in the elevator, and he leaned against the hall wall as she fumbled for her door keys.
    The apartment consisted of two bedrooms, a bath and a half, kitchen, dining area and long living room with a spectacular view of the water. Although the rooms were tastefully furnished, the lack of personal objects gave it an aura of impermanence. It was simply a place for her to sleep, while waking hours were spent at work, or in summer weather on the Sound in her day sailer.
    Will sank on the couch, kicked off his shoes and planted his feet on the coffee table.
    â€œHurry with the brandy.”
    â€œIn a second.” L.C. threw her jacket over a chair and hurried to the kitchen. It took only moments to locate the brandy pushed to the rear of the cupboard and to rinse two dusty brandy snifters. She poured them each half full and returned to the living room.
    â€œI’m going to change, be back in a sec. You can take your pants off.”
    â€œIs that an invitation?”
    â€œThat’s an offer to sew your trousers.”
    He gave her a long look. “I’ll be ready.”
    She softly closed the bedroom door and stripped off her clothes until she stood naked in the center of the room. She ran her