Sticks & Stones (A Hollis Morgan Mystery) Read Free Page B

been aware of her knack for sensing lies in childhood. Although it had proved more valuable to her as an adult. Especially in prison, where it had come to her rescue many times.
    “Well, I’ve got a few more rooms t o do, and I’ve got to get going,” Hollis said pointedly just as a thought came to her. “How did you get in? The locks were changed.”
    Kelly looked around the room. “I know. I stumbled on a utility door on the side of the house that opens up to the downstairs. It doesn’t have a lock.”
    It will tomorrow.
    Hollis frowned. “Is there something in particular you’re trying to find?”
    “A box of mementos, nothing to do with anything legal.” Kelly scanned the room. “My mother mentioned a token necklace.”
    “I would appreciate it if you let me see anything you take out of the house.” Hollis handed her a business card. “The court has directed us to undertake an accounting of all the assets, even mementos. Things can get kind of crazy if items go missing.”
    Kelly smoothed her jacket and stared down at her card.
    “Sure, sure, I understand.”
    “Thanks.” Hollis looked down at her watch again. “Well, like I said, I’ve got to finish.”
    “Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m leaving. Do you mind if I go upstairs to use the bathroom?” Kelly motioned with her head.
    “There’re no working bathrooms on the second floor.” Hollis gave Kelly a speculative look.
    “Uh, I wasn’t going to use it. I left my scarf in the guest bathroom.”
    She’s lying again.
    “Sure, okay , not a problem. Let me know before you leave.” Hollis pointed to a cabinet. “I’m still finishing up down here. I’ll be going upstairs next.” She turned back to her camera.
    Hollis was still taking photos in the den when she heard the click of the front door. She walked over to the windows in time to catch Kelly Schaefer walking to a late model Nissan , looking over her shoulder back at the house. Hollis took down the plate number.
    She could have sworn that Kelly’s stylish jacket showed a bulge that hadn’t been there before.

     
    CHAPTER TWO
    T he first thing Hollis did when she got back to the office was contact a local locksmith to change the locks on the Koch house. He agreed to get it done no later than the next morning. She was punching Cathy’s number in her iPhone just as Tiffany poked her head in the door.
    “Hollis, did you hear? Cathy Briscoe was found dead earlier today. The police think it’s suicide.”
    Hollis almost dropped her phone. “Oh my God, no! What happened?”
    “I’m not sure. It just came on the news. Everybody is gathering in front of the television in the conference room.” She looked over her shoulder. “I’ve got to go tell the others.”
    Hollis shivered. With trembling hands, she tried unsuccessfully to pick up the cup on her desk. Leaving it behind, she walked down the hallway toward the blare of the television and took a seat in the far corner.
    “Informed sources say the death of Catherine Rose Briscoe appears to be suicide. Ms. Briscoe was a reporter for the tabloid, Transformation . According to the statement released by the police, co-workers say Ms. Briscoe may have been distraught after facing a libel suit. Let’s hear from the police spokesperson.”
    “Suicide ,” one of the attorneys murmured.
    “Shhhh, here’s the police,” another whispered.
    “Thank you, at six-fifteen this morning the department’s nine-one-one operator was called by a neighbor, who claimed to hear the drone of a running motor coming from a closed garage. The EMTs broke into the unit and discovered the body of Catherine Briscoe sitting in her car and the garage full of fumes. They pronounced Briscoe dead at the scene. Oakland detectives interviewed witnesses, who heard arguing early in the evening. At this time suicide is suspected. We’ll know more after an autopsy.”
    The station cut to a reporter’s story on a local coffee house groundbreaking.
    “I just can’t