Crime & Passion Read Free Page B

keep quiet about the threats he made yesterday.
    He had to find more suspects before that
happened.
    ***
    “I knew California was a bad idea!”
    Madeline sighed, shifting her cell phone to
her other ear before taking another sip of tea. The hot bath hadn’t
done anything to steady her nerves, and her mom’s hysterics weren’t
helping much either. “You make it sound like I moved to L.A.
There’s hardly any crime in this dinky town. I promise you, I’m
fine.”
    “But a body? Madeline Josephine Scott, what
if the killer saw you?”
    “The police are keeping an eye on me until
the killer is caught,” Madeline lied. “Don’t worry.”
    “I’d feel better if you came back to Utah,
sweetheart.”
    “What for?” Madeline blinked back sudden
tears. It had been five months since she caught her maid of honor
in bed with her fiancé, and the pain and humiliation remained.
“Coming back is not an option. Please, don’t worry about me.”
    A knock sounded against her door, and
Madeline stifled a relieved sigh. “Somebody’s here. I have to go.
I’ll call on Sunday. Kiss, kiss.”
    Madeline hung up before her mother could
respond and tightened the sash of her robe to make sure her silky
pajamas didn’t show. She crossed through the small living room to
the front door and peered through the peephole. Officer Andrews
stood in the outer hallway, shifting from side to side.
    He was dressed all in black rather than his
police uniform, and his short, brown hair spiked up in front. The
slight graying at his temples gave him a distinguished look. His
penetrating eyes stared directly into the peephole, as though he
could see Madeline on the other side.
    Smoothing her wet hair against her head, she
pulled open the door. “Donovan? Was there something more you
needed?”
    Donovan’s eyes traveled up and down her body,
spending an inordinate amount of time on her bare legs beneath the
short silk robe. “Nice outfit.”
    Though her cheeks burned, Madeline refused to
lose her composure. Her robe was perfectly respectable, even if her
uninvited guest wasn’t. “Can I help you?”
    He nodded. “You might be the only person who can help me.”
    Madeline tipped her head sideways,
considering. Donovan clearly was no longer on duty, and he already
acted a little too friendly earlier. What, exactly, was he asking
for? “I’m sure lots of other girls would love to help you, and
probably have.”
    He laughed. “I know I come on a bit strong,
but I’m here about the murder investigation—not that I’m sorry I
got to see your gorgeous legs.”
    Madeline’s mouth worked a few times, but she
was unable to form words as Donovan pushed past her into the
apartment.
    He looked past the short hallway to the
cheerily painted living room and let out a low whistle. “Yellow
walls? I’m surprised. I had you pegged for a lavender girl.”
    Madeline folded her arms. “What is it that
you want?”
    “Is anyone here with us, or can we talk in
private?”
    “We’re alone.” She shut the door and led him
into the apartment, gesturing toward the gray suede couch. “Have a
seat. Would you like some tea?”
    “Is that all you have?” Donovan sat down and
grimaced. “I suppose if you don’t have coffee, that’ll have to
work.”
    Madeline tightened her lips and spun on her
heel, marching into the kitchen. What was wrong with the man?
Couldn’t he just ask politely for coffee like a decent human being,
instead of acting as though she offered him dog piss? She thought
about the instant coffee granules sitting in her cupboard. It would
only take a few seconds to make him a cup.
    Grabbing a mug, she filled it to the brim
with hot chamomile tea. If he couldn’t show any manners, she saw no
reason to go out of her way to please him.
    She stormed back into the living room and
shoved the mug into his hands. Hot liquid sloshed over the side of
the cup.
    He jerked one hand away and shoved it into
his mouth, muffling curses as he sucked off the