The Pursuit of Lies (Book #4, Paradise Valley) by Debra Burroughs Read Free Book Online

still wrapped in Isabel’s pajamas and robe. She glanced around. “Did I hear something about coffee?”
    Isabel was seated at the kitchen table, reading the morning news on her laptop. She closed it as soon as Emily walked in. “Yes, let me get you a cup. Sit, sit.” She popped up and hurried into the open kitchen. There were bran muffins and fruit sitting out on the large granite-topped center island.
    “Thanks.” Emily pulled out a chair and dropped down onto it. “Where’s Alex?”
    “He went down to the jail to see Colin.”
    “Already?” she snapped. “He knew I wanted to go with him.”
    “Here we are.” Isabel set the steaming cup down in front of Emily, along with a muffin and a few strawberries on a small plate. “Everyone wants to help clear Colin. I’ve already gotten calls this morning from Camille and Maggie. Even Peter wants to know what he can do to help.”
    “Peter?”
    “Oh, and also Ernie Kaufmann phoned. He wants you to call him back this morning.”
    “I’m sorry, but I can’t sit here and eat.” Emily pushed the plate away. “Where’s my phone?” Emily glanced around for her purse.
    “Ernie can wait for five more minutes, Em. Now eat.”
    ~*~
    Once Emily was finished downing her muffin and coffee, she raced upstairs, phone in hand, to get changed.
    “Ernie, this is Emily. What have you found out?”
    “Morning, Emily.”
    “Sorry to be rude, but I’m desperate to hear any news.”
    “All right. The Boise cops have Colin’s prints at the ADA’s condo and—”
    “Yes, I already know that. Alex was with Colin, as his attorney, when they questioned him and he filled me in last night on what they have so far.”
    “Well, maybe you ought to tell me what you already know, so I’m not repeating.”
    Emily ran down the list of items Alex had shared with her the night before. A sickening feeling swirled in her stomach as she ticked off the different pieces of condemning evidence. “It sounds bad, doesn’t it?”
    “What it sounds like and what it is are two different things, little lady. That’s our Colin they’re holding, and we know he would never do what they’re accusing him of.”
    “I keep trying to tell myself that, Ernie, but it’s hard—knowing there’s a video of him walking into Allison’s building with her that night, not to mention they have a photo of his car in her parking lot. Alex said his license plate is clearly in view.”
    “He’s not a murderer—I’d stake my life on it. I’ve known that boy most of his life. He’s always lived with a clear view of what’s right and wrong. He loves you, Emily, and he’d never step out on you, I don’t care what that video shows.”
    “Do you think it could be altered?” Emily was beginning to believe that was the only way it could show something that wasn’t true.
    “Seems like these days anything can be doctored.”
    “Is there anything else you can tell me that Alex hasn’t?”
    “I heard this morning that Detective Roberts has obtained a search warrant for Colin’s apartment. They’re probably over there right now going through his place with a fine-tooth comb.”
    “Are they looking for something specific? Or is it a general hunting expedition?”
    “My guess is they’re looking for the murder weapon.”
    Pain gripped Emily’s stomach, as if someone had a stranglehold on her intestines. She knew if the murder weapon was found at his place, it was unlikely they could get anyone to believe he was innocent.
    “What about Colin’s folks?” she asked, redirecting the conversation. “Has anyone called them?”
    “I phoned them last night, didn’t want them hearing about it on the news. His dad and I have been buddies for a long time—I thought it was probably best coming from me.”
    “How are they taking it?” Emily couldn’t imagine getting a phone call like that in the middle of the night, especially when Colin’s dad was recovering from a serious heart attack.
    “Not well, as