The Spider Bites by Medora Sale Read Free Book Online

was sitting behind the table. Beside him was one of the guys from the Crime Scene Investigation unit. The third man was a sergeant from another division. He looked familiar. Luke was resting his hand on a stack of papers. Tony, Susanna, and Greg were already sitting at the desks. We joined them.
    The sergeant looked at us and checked a sheet in front of him. “We appreciate you coming in, since you’re all witnesses in this case. Except for Mr. Greg Hill, who is here as a friend of Susanna Vicars.”
    â€œShe asked me to come in with her,” said Greg. “She’s upset because of her mother’s death.”
    â€œVery understandable,” said the sergeant. “And I’m sure she has our deepest sympathy.”
    Luke handed him a thin folder. The sergeant opened it and glanced over the material in front of him.
    â€œGood,” he said briskly. “Each of you can cast light on yesterday’s tragic events. The fire. The death of Cheryl Vicars and of an unknown person.”
    Luke handed him a sheet of paper.
    â€œThat person has been tentatively identified as Freddie Hancock.”
    Everyone nodded but Susanna. But I don’t suppose the sergeant expected her to.
    â€œYou are all here voluntarily to make a statement. Once you have signed your statement, you should be free to leave.”
    Should be free to leave? I would have been happier if he had said, “You will be free to leave.” I looked over at the uniforms standing at the door. I wondered if anyone else noticed what he had just said.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

COLLATERAL DAMAGE
    N ow I remembered that smooth, gentle voice. Sergeant Frank Donovan. I used to watch him lay traps with that kind voice and gentle manner. His sympathetic smile suckered people into saying just what he wanted. I had learned a lot from him in my early days on the force. Then he was promoted, and I lost track of him. I thought he had retired long ago.
    â€œSergeant Montoya,” he said. “When the fire broke out, you were at your lawyer’s office, I believe. Is that so?”
    The door squeaked open. Mark Davies slipped in and sat on the other side of Angela.
    I waited until he was settled.
    â€œI don’t know, sir,” I said. “When did the fire break out?”
    â€œWhen were you at your lawyer’s office?” asked Donovan.
    â€œI had an appointment for two o’clock. I got there about ten minutes early.”
    â€œDid anyone see you at ten minutes to two?”
    I thought for a moment.
    â€œThree people. My lawyer’s partner and a law student who works there were in the reception area talking to Amanda. She’s the receptionist. Maybe five minutes after that, a courier came in with a package.”
    â€œThank you. And now, Sergeant Marchetti?”
    Tony explained that he was on his lunch hour, eating across the street from 52 Division.
    â€œThank you. Ms. Vicars?” And we went through the others, Susanna having her hair done, Angela and Mark at work. “And you, Mr. Hill?” he asked.
    Greg looked up, a little bit shocked.
    â€œI was at work. It should have been my afternoon off, but I was called out. But it shouldn’t matter, because I’m not really a witness, am I? Just a friend of Susanna.”
    â€œOf course,” said Sergeant Donovan and reached out his hand. Luke put another folder in it. We sat there staring at him as he read through it. He looked up.
    â€œThe fire. We need to establish the cause of the fire. We’re hoping you might be able to give us some useful background information.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” asked Susanna.
    â€œWas Mrs. Vicars a careless, easygoing sort of woman? Did she smoke?”
    â€œNeither one,” said Mark quickly. “A non-smoker and a worrier.”
    â€œCould you explain that, Mr. Davies?”
    â€œShe recently installed smoke detectors on every floor, fire extinguishers in all three kitchens, and put