ToServeAndProtect by KyAnn Waters Read Free Book Online Page B

home?”
    McKenna glanced down and to the right. This was where
her story grew complicated. She spoke just as she’d rehearsed with Dawn. “No,
Dawn and I stopped for dinner at the Chalet.” She glanced at the detective.
“Have you eaten there?”
    “Yes, but continue.”
    “I picked up takeout for Elliot. He loves German
food.” She wanted to be vague but give enough to convince the detective she’d
given the whole story. Too much information and she risked blowing their story.
“Dawn and I ended up talking. It was late when I got home. I thought Elliot was
asleep. The house was dark. I put his dinner in the fridge.” She closed her
eyes and swallowed the effects of the revolting memory. The roiling in her
stomach continued. “Then I stepped in blood on my way upstairs.” She stopped
speaking.
    “Wait a second. You seemed to have left out some
details. How did you get the injuries on your hands and face?”
    She glanced down. Deep red welts and bandages marred
her hands. “My feet are hurt, too,” she said in a distant voice. “I must have
stepped on glass after I broke the vase.” Her face heated as she remembered
sliding through the ribbons of blood crisscrossing the hall.
    “That’s enough, Mickey.” Albert put his hand on hers.
“Give her some time, Detective.” He stood and pulled McKenna’s chair out for
her.
    “She can have time when we’re finished, but I have a
couple more questions,” Detective Pearce said as he leaned forward.
    Albert reseated himself.
    “What was your relationship with Elliot Porter?”
    The question confused her.
    “You refer to him as Elliot, not dad. I wondered why?”
    “He preferred it after my mother died.”
    “Then can you explain the note left on the counter?
Did you have a fight?”
    Like a deer caught in the site of a hunter’s rifle,
she felt the approaching trap. The note had completely slipped her mind. She
and Dawn had not thought of a contingency plan regarding the damn note. “No, we
don’t argue.” We barely speak. “I can’t explain it.” She looked at
Albert for help. “The note didn’t make any sense.”
    D etective
Peace took the folded paper from the envelope and placed it on the table in
front of Albert and McKenna.
    Albert took the note and looked carefully at the
handwriting. “I fail to see the importance.” He slid the note back.
    Next the detective pulled out a folder. “We tested the
blood against hair from your father’s hairbrush. We ran your DNA report. Here
are the results.” He placed the report in front of her. “Elliot Porter was not
you father.”

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter
Five
     
    Tyson Jones sat across from Ms. Porter’s pal. He’d
seen the type before. Strong exteriors, when hit hard enough in the right place,
shattered like eggshells. “Ms. Wilson, what can I do for you?”
    “I admit I’m impatient. Rather than waiting for you to
get around to questioning me, I thought I’d save you the trouble.”
    “That was thoughtful of you.”
    “Mickey was with me Sunday night.”
    “Ms. Porter is still a person of interest. Although at
this time, she hasn’t been named as a suspect.”
    “And she won’t.” Dawn folded her arms across her perky
breasts. “Aren’t you supposed to turn on the bright lights? Sweat the truth out
of me.”
    “Are you planning to lie?”
    “No, maybe I just like to sweat.” She winked at him
then glanced around the tiny room with a video surveillance camera in the corner.
Metal folding chairs and a card table were the only furniture. “In the movies
the suspect is always offered a cigarette.”
    “Clean Air Act.”
    “Oh, well then, what about a glass of water?”
    “You aren’t a suspect. I don’t exactly know why you’re
here.”
    “Don’t be dense. I’m stepping forward as McKenna
Porter’s alibi.”
    “Best friends don’t make good alibis.” He leaned
forward and whispered, “I know I’d lie for my best friend.”
    “Then maybe you have one redeeming