The Rogue Reviewer (Primrose, Minnesota Book 3) by Mia Dymond Read Free Book Online Page B

hoped
he wouldn’t notice her shaky hands as she grasped the steering
wheel while she climbed into the car. Of course he’d remind her a
killer was still loose.
    “Simple truth. The investigation is fresh. No
clear-cut suspect or motive, only a victim and a weapon.” He moved
his gaze to Marnie as he closed the door. “Both of you could be in
severe danger.”
    “Point taken, Detective.” She rolled up her
window and turned the key to start the car’s engine before he
witnessed Marnie’s inevitable breakdown. Luckily, her friend held
it together.
    With a nod of his head, he signaled for his
partner and pointed to Sara’s front door. He gave her one more hard
stare and then turned away.
    “Maybe he’s right, Dara,” Marnie said. “We
don’t really know why someone left you a corpse.”
    “Exactly why we’re not giving up.” She moved
the indicator to turn left, determined not to let him sway her
decision to participate. “Despite Detective Turner’s warning.”
     
    ***
     
    Not more than an hour later, Mace entered
Hannigan’s with Jackson, fully expecting to find a familiar female
presence in the middle of his investigation. Surprise,
surprise. Mace paused just inside the door, his gaze zeroed in
on the two women tucked into a corner booth, one of them extremely
cozy with the bleach-blonde male who sat next to her – the same man
who draped his arm across the back of the booth behind her with his
fingers inches from her shoulder. Any minute now, he expected him
to jump up and deliver a perfect What’s up, dude?
    Jackson cleared his throat beside him.
“Coincidence?”
    “Like hell.”
    “Hannigan?”
    “Most likely.”
    “Ladies have skills.”
    “Hardly, just luck.”
    “Think they came to get their stories
straight?”
    Mace pried his gaze from the female whose
soft voice caused his libido to dance and pointed at the ceiling.
“Most likely not. There are cameras all over this place that can
prove or disprove their alibi in a matter of minutes.”
    “Want me to take Hannigan so you can attempt
to corral them?”
    He frowned. “Attempt?”
    “I make that statement based on past
experience.”
    “No, I’ll question Hannigan. You keep the
girls company.”
    Jackson gave him a lopsided grin. “Have it
your way, partner.”
    He was careful to keep his temper in check as
he and Jackson approached the booth. As much as he contemplated
yanking Hannigan from the booth by the scruff of his neck, assault
would tarnish his badge. That particular thought almost stopped him
in his tracks. Personal feelings aside, until he ruled her out
completely Dara was still somewhat of a suspect and he had
absolutely no business expressing his interest in her. But damn , the lady had a multitude of sass and that attribute
alone made him hard – crazy hard.
    Her earlier statement about challenge was
every bit the truth – the banter they shared kept him stimulated to
the point of electrified. And, the amount of intelligence she
possessed in her little finger damn near outweighed the knowledge
of even the most seasoned detective. Yeah, Dara Hamilton might be
tiny, but she packed a punch ten times as loud and blinding as a
bundle of dynamite.
    Jackson cleared his throat beside him.
“Ladies, mind if I join you?”
    Dara batted those long, black eyelashes and
he grasped the back of the booth to remain upright.
    “Sure,” she answered. “What about you,
Detective Turner?”
    “No, thank you.” He directed a hard stare at
the only male occupant in the booth. “Mr. Hannigan, I’d like to ask
you some questions.”
    He led the way to a lone table in one corner
of the bar and waited for Hannigan to take a chair before sitting
opposite him.
    “Detective Mace Turner.” He extended a hand,
careful not to give in to the temptation to break Hannigan’s
fingers while they shook an introduction. “I’m investigating the
murder of Evelyn Wallace. I’d like to know what you know.”
    “Not much – only what I’ve