Dead Women Tell No Lies Read Free

turned to the six-foot-plus detective in washed out jeans and scuffed leather jacket.
    He stared at her with intense, blue eyes he most likely used to intimidate his suspects. A few days’ growth of blonde whiskers marked his lean jaw. He hovered at her elbow as though he expected her to faint. His mouth softened, and she swore she heard a touch of sympathy in his voice a moment ago.
    “Are you confirming it’s your sister, Dahlia Blue?”
    “It is.” She tugged out her chain from inside her white button down shirt. She held up the silver butterfly pendant with a ruby on each wing. “My sister created identical necklaces for our birthdays with our birthstone. The jewelry’s not worth much. But it meant a lot to her, and I’d appreciate it if you passed the jewelry on to me.”
    “No necklace was found. My men recovered two personal items, a torn blouse and a bra. You’re sure she was wearing the butterfly when she disappeared?”
    “She never took it off.” Rose remembered the day her sister had given the chain and pendant to her.
    Dahlia grinned her lopsided smile. “Happy Birthday, twin of mine. Wait until you open your present. You’ll love it. I know because I do.”
    “I apologize in advance for bringing up the subject,” he said, returning her to the present, “but your sister was awaiting a court hearing on a shoplifting charge.”
    She flinched and tilted her head to reassess him. Why did he bring that incident up now? Was he fishing for some flaw in Dahlia? “You mean the engagement ring from her ex, A.J. Edwards. Her lawyer worked out the legal matters, and the theft charge was dismissed. The incident was a mistake in the first place. She’s not a thief.”
    “She rented a place in Ledgeview. I’m trying to understand why she left home and moved to a new city. Was she running to avoid court?”
    “My sister didn’t really move. Most of her belongings are still in Vermont, and she wouldn’t take off because of a false charge. She believed her lawyer would prove her innocence. Besides, when Dahlia was upset, she’d lay low, but she’d never leave town. My Gram instilled in us the belief we should never run away from our problems. She was very strong in her convictions, and Dahlia and I loved our hometown. So to answer your question, I’ve no idea why she came to New Hampshire.”
    “Did your sister own a cell phone or laptop? I’d like to look at her phone records and emails.”
    “She was using a prepaid one, temporarily, until our boutique earned out and freed up her money. I don’t know what happened to her laptop. She must have taken it to New Hampshire with her, but she was much more a phone person. It was faster and she liked fast.”
    “I’d guess her laptop is in a landfill in New Jersey or some other unsearchable site. We can look into her ISP, but sometimes their storage is brief.”
    Rose darted a glance at her sister’s body. Her stomach dropped with a sickening wave. “I’d like to leave now.”
    “I’m sorry for your loss, Miss Blue.” Lennox escorted her toward the exit. “Are you registered in a hotel or driving back to Vermont?”
    “I’m staying in New Hampshire until you arrest her killer. I drove over from Dahlia’s apartment.”
    His stare bored into her. “Are you sure you want to stay at her building? You’re lucky if your sister’s rental provides any security. It’s an old structure without the safety updates offered in modern apartments.”
    “I don’t need a five star hotel. I’ll be fine.” Keep moving through the door. Don’t picture Dahlia lying on the table in the morgue. Block the image.
    Outside, she pointed at her vehicle. “My car’s the green compact parked at the curb.”
    He walked her to the edge of the sidewalk and paused. “Miss Blue, I have to ask you a favor. Keep the fact your sister’s necklace is missing to yourself.”
    She nodded. At any minute, she’d break into tears or collapse. She wanted to get away before