Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Larrsen sent Lydia a dazzling smile. It was so gorgeous that even Rory had to admit it made him attractive as all get out. “I have to admit, I have a weakness for cookies. I’ll have to try them to see if they’re as good as your friends say.”
Lydia groaned and turned a cute blushing shade of rose. “Don’t listen to them. They always say that, and it isn’t true.”
When he smiled, Rory noted Larrsen had a hint of an intriguing dimple. “I’m going to see for myself, Ms. Sawyer.”
Rory nudged Lydia. Detective Larrsen remembered Lydia’s name.
“I’ll talk to Ms. DeWitt first and then Pam Williams.” Detective Larrsen looked around at the women in the room until he settled on Pam. She nodded, lifting her hand. He gave her a brief smile. “Ms. Atler?” He clearly knew who Cindy Atler was. Her husband had been a firefighter who had died fighting a fire. She came from an extremely wealthy and powerful family. Detective Larrsen must have found it strange that she was living in the same apartments and was friends with them. Good friends with them. “I’ll interview you after Ms. Williams. And, Ms. Chappel, if you don’t mind waiting, I’ll take you last.”
Rory sighed. “Sure, no problem.”
He clearly heard the hint of defensiveness she didn’t bother to keep from her voice. The other women were no longer looking at Warren Larrsen as if he were their knight in shining armor. He had suddenly become the enemy.
“I left you for last because my notes indicate you said this was your day off. Both Ms. DeWitt and Ms. Williams work tonight, and I didn’t want to make them late. Ms. Atler had indicated that she wanted to be able to start clearing the apartment for her sons as soon as possible. If you need to be somewhere sooner . . .”
“No, it’s fine.” Rory waved Janice toward the table the detective had first indicated they use for the interview to give their statements. She felt guilty for lumping Larrsen in with Westlake when Larrsen had treated her with kindness. “I didn’t mean to sound grumpy. I didn’t sleep last night. I should have gone to a hotel, but I was too tired to make the effort. I just came down here with a couple of blankets.”
“Rory,” Lydia protested. “You should have stayed with me.”
“I wasn’t about to wake you up.”
“You’re always helping me. How many times have you bailed me out when I needed someone to watch Ellen? Or when I needed extra money? You’ve been teaching me how to mix drinks. I want to be able to help you.”
“My bed is smashed, and my mattress is torn to shreds. I’ll be happy to sleep on your couch, at least for tonight,” Rory teased.
She was aware of Larrsen paying close attention to the exchange as he scooped up cookies, put them on one of the little paper plates Lydia had provided and carried them over to the table where Janice had set his coffee.
“After I take each of your statements, I’ll need to see the apartments, take pictures and dust for fingerprints. Then you can have your places back,” Larrsen assured them.
“Maybe Cindy should go first so she can get started right away on getting her place ready for the kids,” Janice said.
“No.” Cindy shook her head. “They’ll be with their grandparents long enough for me to get everything done, but thanks, Janice.”
Rory’s phone vibrated, and she pulled it from her pocket and glanced down. Her heart jumped and then accelerated. Gideon. At last. She was foolish enough to run the pad of her finger over the text on the screen, her pulse reacting to the sight of seeing what he’d written.
Red, everything all right? I’m doing better. Any chance you can drop by today? Javier said you’re taking extra shifts. Hoping you didn’t tonight, and you can spend time with me.
She wanted to sag with relief. He was doing better and wanted to see her. Thankfully she hadn’t taken an extra shift, although she was exhausted and she should sleep. What did that matter when she had the chance to see Gideon? She could assess the damage done to him for herself. If she thought he was up to it, she could share the message Scott Tinsdale had given her for Harvey, and she’d tell him about the break-ins at the apartment building.
No extra shift this evening. Would be happy to come by. What time would be best?
“You’ve got that dreamy look on your face, Rory,” Sally accused. “Gideon is texting you, isn’t he?”
Rory couldn’t help laughing. She felt joy at the prospect of seeing him. Just knowing he was alive and well made her slightly giddy. “Yep. And I don’t even care if you tease me about him.” She touched her hair. “I must look a mess. I feel a mess.”