Scarlet Rain (The Escaped #2) Read Free Page B

searched his memory for a scheduled meeting he may have missed.
    Her gaze swept the room, and settled on James. “Detective Graham, I need to talk to you,” she shouted.
    “Sorry, Detective,” the officer apologized. Lori planted herself in the empty chair next to James’s desk. “I told her to wait and that I’d come get you, but—”
    “But I’m tired of waiting, Detective,” Lori interjected. “I need answers. I couldn’t sit by the phone for another second hoping you would call with some sort of news.”
    “Thank you.” James read the officer’s name badge. “Thank you Blevins. I’ll take it from here.”
    Blevins nodded and quickly made his way back to his post.
    “I apologize for barging in on you like this. It’s not what I would normally do, not that any of what’s going on falls under the “normal” heading, but I had to do something. Waiting around for answers while I imagine my own version of what’s happening is making me feel crazy.” Lori’s eyes swelled with tears. “Do you know anything new?”
    He shook his head somberly. “I wish there was something I could tell you, but there haven’t been any new developments in your daughter’s case.”
    “But you still think Eva’s a part of this?” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “That she and Bill and that other man killed that young woman and are now on the run?”
    “At this time, we’re investigating every possible angle.”
    “Don’t give me that bullshit.” Spittle flew from her mouth as anger chopped her words. “You were there the night she was found. You talked to her at the hospital. Do you believe she’s guilty?”
    Fear and sadness had leached into Eva’s voice. Please, just give me a chance to explain. It stained his memory and made him question what he thought he understood about the case, and Eva’s guilt.
    “Ms. Kostas, there are a lot of unanswered questions about what’s going on. At this point, I can’t tell you whether or not I think she’s guilty.” His gaze drifted down to the buffed white tile between his feet. “There are strange things happening. Right now I don’t know what to believe.”
    “Excuse me, Detective.”
    James cleared his throat. “Blevins, everything is good here. Thanks for checking.”
    “The captain sent me to find you. He wants to see you and your partner in his office. I already talked to Detective Schilling. He’s on his way there now.”
    James stood and shuffled papers around on his desk, avoiding eye contact with Lori. “I’m sorry to cut this short. I have to get in there.”
    “Please let know me as soon as you find something out.” Lori placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently. “I appreciate your honesty, Detective. Even though it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to hear, it’s the only real answer I’ve gotten. Thank you.”
    James continued rearranging the same stack of papers until Lori exited through the double doors. “Get your head together, James.” He balled his hands into fists and pressed them against the surface of his desk. “There’s an explanation for all of this. Work the case. Find out what happened.” He took a few deep breaths, and straightened his posture before heading toward the captain’s office.
    The door to Captain Alvarez’s office was closed, and James stood outside of it, staring at his reflection in the engraved gold placard. “Tell him what happened exactly as you wrote it in the report.” He rolled his neck a few times and rubbed at the tension sprouting in his shoulders. “It’s simple. Stick to the story.” James knocked rapidly before cracking the door and poking his head into the office. “You wanted to see me?”
    “Come in. Take a seat,” Captain Alvarez said, running a hand through his thinning hair. The fluorescent lighting glinting off of his scalp and forehead made him appear to wear a permanent layer of sweat.
    “Sorry I’m late. Lori Kostas came and insisted I talk to her.” He