First Born Read Free Page B

asked.
    “Yeah. You get a load of her eye? Somebody hurt her,” spat Larry. “Wish I knew who. I’d hunt the bastard down and introduce him to a crowbar or a tire iron or possibly a bludge...” Larry censored his murderous rant. Lily realized he was staring at the firearm on the detective’s hip.
    Simms flashed a good-natured smile.
    Sigh.
    “Dog! Hello!” Larry clapped his hands to break her relentless gaze. “Stop mooning over Detective Simms.”
    Mooning, I’m not mooning over him. She sat next to him, refusing to relinquish her front row seat. So what if she had memorized his left ear, his broad shoulders, and strong callused hands. She wondered what his calluses might feel like...
    Detective Simms focused on his job of questioning Larry about Lily’s dating life, personality at work, and her habits. He asked about her relationship with her mother, Maggie Moore, and her brother, Seth. Simms returned several times to her “relationship” with Mr. Miller. He asked why Lily got in the car with the man when she had driven herself to the restaurant.
    Ice cream. We were going for ice cream. It was no use. She knew he thought she got into Phil Miller’s car for other reasons.
    Then Simms broached another dark subject—Peter. Simms shifted forward to rest his elbows on his knees. He held his hands together and studied them. “I know you are close to Lily. I’ve had several conversations with her myself regarding Peter Marx. This kind of tragedy could unravel anyone.” Simms’s slate-blue eyes sought Larry’s. “I need to make an accurate assessment of her mental state in the last several weeks. It will help us to look at things from every angle.”
    Lily snarled, surprising herself as much as everyone in the room. Simms turned his head to study her. He drew down his eyebrows while his mouth fought with amusement. “She sounds a bit possessed.”
    She chuffed softly before settling back down to rest her head on her front paws and shift her eyes to Larry. I’m not crazy. Possessed? That’s entirely possible.
    Larry adjusted his bathrobe for the sixth time while pressing his lips in a thin line. “Lily’s one of the most resilient people I’ve ever met. I know she was depressed, but never unstable.”
    Simms nodded.
    “I’ve never heard her mention this Miller guy,” Larry said, nibbling on his bottom lip. “I worry because we all pushed her to be more spontaneous, get back out there, and find some joy again in life.”
    This isn’t your fault, Larry. She jumped down from her perch next to Simms. Placing her front paws on Larry’s knee, she nuzzled his hand earning her an ear scratch. Larry’s eyes were wet.
    Simms asked a few more detailed questions regarding co-workers and friends. As the detective finished up, Larry pulled himself together, sitting up straighter in his chair.
    “Detective Simms, have you completely shut the case on Peter’s death?”
    The taut muscles in Simms’s jaw twitched. He swallowed before flashing a tight smile. “Sorry, Mr. Jones. You know I can’t discuss that investigation.” He clicked his pen shut before putting it in his pocket along with the mini notepad.
    Larry looked down. “Isn’t it odd that a young man dies and in less than a year, his girlfriend is attacked?”
    “We’re considering all the circumstances,” Simms said.
    “You know I always wondered about Peter’s work at that lab. He was very intense and worked crazy hours with Professor Hitomi. I mean, he was just a part-time grad assistant.”
    “Workaholic, huh?”
    “More like fanatic,” Larry said.
    Simms’s phone buzzed. After checking the number, he excused himself before walking to the foyer. She followed him.
    “Lieutenant?” His face turned gray. “Cause?” He paced the marble floor of the foyer. “Time of death? I’ll be down there in fifteen, just finishing up with Mr. Jones.”
    Lily followed Simms back to the great room to find Larry unblinking with worry lines creasing his