Blood Ties Read Free Page A

called Detective Davies again but still got no answer. I paced around my room, put on some clothes, and sat on my bed. I didn’t want to talk to anyone but Detective Davies; my intuition said this situation had something to do with Susie’s murder.
    Ten seconds went by and my cell phone finally rang. I flipped it open and took it to my ear.
    “Detective Davies?” I asked, fear blatant in my voice.
    “Yes… Miss Pearson? Is everything all right?”
    “There was a package, and I went to take a shower and it went off, like a bomb.”
    “Are there any other new devices in your place or any more packages?”
    “No.”
    “I’ll be there immediately. Stay put, don’t pick up the phone, and stay away from windows. Unless it’s me ringing the doorbell, you open the door to absolutely no one.”
    I hung up. I changed into slacks and a t-shirt, sat on my bed, and waited.
     

2
    Fifteen minutes later the doorbell rang. I ran to the door, and after checking through the peephole, let Detective Davies in.
    “Miss Pearson, are you okay?”
    I nodded as I led him into the dining-room.
    “I used the fire extinguisher to avert the possibility of a fire, but otherwise, I didn’t alter the scene.”
    “Was there an initial fire?”
    “I don’t know. I was taking a bath and heard a bang. Half the table was completely gone and there was black smoke.”
    “Okay. A bomb-specialist will be here shortly. She’ll be able to tell us what’s happened, though I assume it was a short range home-made bomb. I’m afraid this could be related to Miss Andrews’ murder. I’d like to get you a police escort.”
    “No, I’m sorry. I’ve got a life to lead; I can’t go running around wit h a policeman trailing after me. I value my safety and I’ll be extra-careful, but what you’re suggesting is a bit over the top.”
    “I was thinking along the lines of someone who could go undercover. Whoever killed your friend knew her and I suspect whoever it was also knows you. Now we not only have to solve Miss Andrews’ investigation, but we also have to protect you. I understand you want to live your life as usual, but I won’t let you become a sitting duck.”
    What Detective Davies said sank in and I sighed. I considered my options: doing absolutely nothing and possibly getting another package, leaving my life, or accepting the detective’s suggestion. I nodded, albeit reluctantly.
    “Who did you have in mind?” I asked.
    “I wanted it to be me but unfortunately, anyone could have seen us this morning or could know I’m a detective here. I’m not a very trusting human being, so I asked my brother to step in. He’s a detective in New York; I had to pull in some favors to have him transferred here, but I managed to do so. He’ll be arriving tonight. Until then, I’m staying by your side.”
    “Okay. When did you make the arrangements?”
    “On my way over here.”
    “That was fast,” I said, sounding surprised and with appraisal.
    “I am good at talking people into giving me what I want,” there was a trace of teasing in his voice. “Anyway, what were you up to before you took the shower?” Detective Davies enquired as he motioned for me to guide him around my place.
    I walked to my bedroom.
    “I was putting in phone calls to arrange for a memorial for Wednesday.”
    “Keep on doing that while I check the rest of the place, to make sure there are no other surprises,” he said as he left my room.
    I grabbed the addre ss book Sandy had given me and started calling people to let them know about Susie’s demise. Most showed their concern, one muttered she had seen it coming, and a few cried. No one knew she had been murdered, and I refused to say it, but I could tell everyone assumed it.
    Detective Davies showed up twenty minutes later, having cleared my apartment, and told me bomb-specialist Riley Graham was at the door. I let the tall, slim, forty-odd years old brunette woman in and she went to work immediately.
    My