{"id":1084,"date":"2021-05-31T15:08:26","date_gmt":"2021-05-31T22:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/?page_id=1084"},"modified":"2021-07-15T15:39:47","modified_gmt":"2021-07-15T22:39:47","slug":"deadly-intersections","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/index.php\/books-2\/mysteries\/deadly-intersections\/","title":{"rendered":"Deadly Intersections"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-1084\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-1084-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1084-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1084-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1084-0-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<h2>Deadly Intersections<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-1084-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-no-style\" ><div id=\"pgc-1084-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1084-1-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-13f2a8b12fcc-1084\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Deadly-Intersections-Image-200x300.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Deadly-Intersections-Image-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Deadly-Intersections-Image-300x450.jpg 300w, https:\/\/annroberts.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/05\/Deadly-Intersections-Image.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" title=\"Deadly Intersections Image\" alt=\"\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><div id=\"panel-1084-1-0-1\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-button panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1084-1-0-1\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-button so-widget-sow-button-atom-35500a5eb44b-1084\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t><div class=\"ow-button-base ow-button-align-center\"\n>\n\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.bellabooks.com\/product\/9781594932243\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"sowb-button ow-icon-placement-left ow-button-hover\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" \t>\n\t\t<span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tBUY\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-1084-1-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-1084-1-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"3\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-1084-1-1-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 style=\"margin-bottom:20px ;display:block;width:100%;margin-top:10px\">Deadly Intersections <\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<style>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t#tab_container_1310 {\r\n\toverflow:hidden;\r\n\tdisplay:block;\r\n\twidth:100%;\r\n\tborder:0px solid #ddd;\r\n\tmargin-bottom:30px;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1310 .tab-content{\r\n\tpadding:20px;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n\tmargin-top: 0px;\r\n\tbackground-color:#ffffff !important;\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tfont-size:18px !important;\r\n\tfont-family: Arial !important;\r\n\t\r\n\t\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n\t}\r\n#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs {\r\n    border-bottom: 0px solid #ddd;\r\n}\r\n#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a, #tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a:hover, #tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li.active > a:focus {\r\n\tcolor: #000000 !important;\r\n\tcursor: default;\r\n\tbackground-color: #ffffff !important;\r\n\tborder: 1px solid #e6e6e6 !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li > a {\r\n    margin-right: 0px !important; 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\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n#tab_container_1310 .tab-content{\r\noverflow:hidden !important;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n@media (min-width: 769px) {\r\n\r\n\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li{\r\n\t\tfloat:left !important ;\r\n\t\t\t\tmargin-right:-1px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs{\r\n\t\tfloat:none !important;\r\n\t\tmargin:0px !important;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmargin-right: 8px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav{\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n@media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 8px !important;\r\n\t\tmargin-right:0px !important;\r\n\t\tmargin-left:0px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t}\r\n\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav{\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\t.wpsm_nav-tabs li:before{\r\n\t\tdisplay:none !important;\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n\t@media (max-width: 768px) {\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs  li  a  i{\r\n\t\t\t\tdisplay: none !important;\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t.wpsm_nav-tabs{\r\n\t\t\tmargin-left:0px !important;\r\n\t\t\tmargin-right:0px !important; \r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t#tab_container_1310 .wpsm_nav-tabs > li {\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tmargin-right: 8px !important;\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t}\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t}\t\t\t\t<\/style>\r\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"tab_container_1310\" >\r\n\t \r\n\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wpsm_nav wpsm_nav-tabs\" role=\"tablist\" id=\"myTab_1310\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  class=\"active\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1310_1\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1310_1\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>ABOUT THE BOOK<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1310_2\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1310_2\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>BACKSTORY<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1310_3\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1310_3\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>EXCERPT<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li role=\"presentation\"  onclick=\"do_resize()\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#tabs_desc_1310_4\" aria-controls=\"tabs_desc_1310_4\" role=\"tab\" data-toggle=\"tab\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>VIDEO<\/span>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <!-- Tab panes -->\r\n\t\t\t\t\t  <div class=\"tab-content\" id=\"tab-content_1310\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane  in active \" id=\"tabs_desc_1310_1\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When realtor Ari Adams discovers the body of a prominent businessman during a luncheon, the case fortunately falls in the lap of her girlfriend Detective Molly Adams. But when the death is ruled a suicide and Molly is pulled from the case, Ari is suspicious. And she begins to wonder if her current client isn\u2019t involved.<\/p>\r\n<p>While her professional life veers onto a dangerous road, her personal life could explode at any time. Her absent father suddenly reappears, a woman from her past proves to be a great temptation and Molly seems ready to crumble from the new case she inherits and her continued quest to uncover corruption in the police department.<\/p>\r\n<p>Everyone has questions, but many of the answers turn out to be lies. Nobody but Ari wonders if business greed, familial revenge, dirty cops and shady investments might all intersect\u2014with deadly consequences.<\/p>\r\n<p>An Ari Adams Mystery Series Book 3.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"tabs_desc_1310_2\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Find an Error in an Ari Adams Mystery and Win a Free Book!<\/p>\r\n<p>Did that get your attention?<\/p>\r\n<p>By the time I began writing Deadly Intersections, I realized I needed to have a system that would keep track of names, character attributes, character personality traits, character endearments, backstory, etc. As I started to write this book, I decided to read the other two previous books in the series, Paid in Full and White Offerings before I got too far along, to make sure that there was consistency and continuity. I also found an error or two between the first two books, which helped shaped my thinking about my consistency processes.<\/p>\r\n<p>It\u2019s very difficult to keep track of everything, and I\u2019ll admit that once in a while I might \u201cfudge\u201d a previously introduced plot point to make the current mystery work. Also, keeping tabs on approximately a dozen main, minor, and tertiary characters is complicated work, especially when a character previously introduced as a minor character joins the ranks of a main character in a later story. Building on her\/his\/their character takes much planning.<\/p>\r\n<p>I\u2019d be lying if I said I\u2019ve got this all down, even now after eight books. I still make mistakes, but I\u2019d like to think they are far fewer, despite the fact that Ari Adams has met dozens of suspects, worked with many supporting characters, and survived her relationship with Molly Nelson after many twists and turns.<\/p>\r\n<p>Still I remain vigilant, and I\u2019m humble enough to say that I (or my editor and my proofer) may not have caught a few of my own errors. If you find a continuity error between two of the mysteries, send me a note via the Contact Page, and I will reward you with an autographed book. To be clear, continuity errors are different from frustrating typos no one caught or the failure to end dialogue with a quotation mark. I hope those are few and far between, but they happen. A continuity error, though, might be that someone\u2019s name is spelled one way in one novel and a different way in a subsequent novel. (How\u2019s that for a hint?)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div role=\"tabpanel\" class=\"tab-pane \" id=\"tabs_desc_1310_3\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Chapter One<\/p>\r\n<p>Usually people she\u2019d just met didn\u2019t die two hours later but trouble followed Ari Adams.<\/p>\r\n<p>The victim had seemed much taller than he did now, crumpled over the steering wheel, the horn blaring inside the parking garage.<\/p>\r\n<p>No one had given a thought when it first sounded since it was so common to hear auto alarms randomly trigger in downtown Phoenix. The guests at the annual Phoenix Chamber of Commerce business luncheon continued to enjoy the beautiful February weather on the lawn of Heritage Square, a Phoenix landmark that brought together several old houses onto one property.<\/p>\r\n<p>Everyone worked the crowd, including Ari and her boss Lorraine Gonzalez. And Ari had learned that commercial real estate was far more lucrative than the residential home market she\u2019d exclusively handled during her twelve-year career as an agent. If they could find one client they\u2019d be set for a few months.<\/p>\r\n<p>The screeching horn forced people to lean closer to be heard but nothing else. Heads finally turned when a woman ran screaming from the garage, her purse swinging from her arm. \u201cHelp me! He\u2019s dead!\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>An older gentleman caught her and held her still while she continued to babble. Ari, a former cop trained to run toward danger and not from it, instantly headed into the garage joined by a few curious businessmen and a security officer who definitely looked as scared as the hysterical woman.<\/p>\r\n<p>They followed her as she wound her way around the aisles of the garage trying to locate the wailing horn. The ground rumbled as three school buses snaked through the tiny rows toward the exit, their huge engines momentarily interrupting their search. Probably visiting the Science<\/p>\r\n<p>Center. Heritage Square bordered the Arizona Science Center, the past and present colliding in the same city block.<\/p>\r\n<p>She found the car\u2014a Lexus\u2014in the last row, two stalls down from a Mercedes she imagined belonged to the screaming woman who\u2019d left her door wide open. Ari immediately recognized Warren Edgington, an investor and the keynote speaker at the luncheon. She and Lorraine had chatted with him during the meet and greet portion. They\u2019d made a connection and he\u2019d taken their cards, mentioning a potential deal they could work together.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDo any of you guys have a handkerchief?\u201d Ari asked loudly, turning to the three young men who\u2019d followed her.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cOf course,\u201d an Adonis-like beefcake said, smiling and offering the white linen square from his breast pocket while the other two stepped away defeated.<\/p>\r\n<p>She nodded, not returning the smile.<\/p>\r\n<p>Wrapping her hand around the handkerchief, she pulled at the door handle but it wouldn\u2019t open.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cLocked?\u201d Adonis asked.<\/p>\r\n<p>She nodded and circled the car. She peered inside the passenger\u2019s window and noticed an open briefcase with a silver flask lying inside. A piece of paper rested underneath the flask\u2014a note.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThis looks like a suicide,\u201d Adonis said. He\u2019d moved next to her, so close she could smell his Altoid.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cMaybe,\u201d she said as the black and whites pulled up behind the Lexus.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cNow that the cavalry\u2019s arrived can I walk you back?\u201d Adonis asked, clearly hopeful.<\/p>\r\n<p>She offered a little smile, cobbling together a gentle letdown in her mind. She was saved when Colin McDermott, one of her dad\u2019s old cronies, stepped from the first car.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cAri Adams, what in the blazes are you doin\u2019 here?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She met his hug as an answer and noticed Adonis slunk over to a concrete wall.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI hear your dad\u2019s coming to town soon. I can\u2019t wait to see him. It\u2019s been ages.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She forced a smile. Everyone loved Captain Big Jack Adams, a retired member of the<\/p>\r\n<p>Phoenix Police Department and they anticipated his arrival\u2014everyone but her. Thinking about his visit the next week gave her heartburn and sent her into a foul mood. She couldn\u2019t understand why she\u2019d ever agreed to a reunion. It was too soon and she wasn\u2019t ready.<\/p>\r\n<p>More police officers assembled and a tall blonde emerged from an unmarked Caprice. Ari glanced at Adonis, still leaning against the wall. Like her, he was captivated by the statuesque woman with short curly hair who instantly took charge. Ari watched in admiration as she listened to McDermott give her the details. She nodded and scanned the crime scene, her eyes finding Ari. She frowned and came over immediately.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cHoney, I told you I had a luncheon today, remember?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Detective Molly Nelson rolled her eyes. \u201cHow is it that you\u2019re always in the middle of<\/p>\r\n<p>my crime scenes?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Ari raised a finger to correct her. \u201cThat\u2019s only happened one other time and look what we<\/p>\r\n<p>got out of it.\u201d She offered a slow smile and batted her eyelashes. \u201cBesides I thought you liked it when I surprised you during the workday.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly sighed. \u201cI like it most of the time. What happened?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Ari recounted the last ten minutes, assuring Molly she hadn\u2019t disturbed the crime scene. \u201cI\u2019d had a very nice chat with him earlier. We kept running into each other, too,\u201d she realized.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWell, he was right behind me in the buffet line and then I saw him again when I went to the ladies\u2019 room.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly raised an eyebrow. \u201cHe didn\u2019t try to follow you in there, did he?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cNo, it wasn\u2019t anything like that. I saw him before I went inside and when I came out he was arguing with this other guy who\u2019d tried to pick me up earlier after he introduced himself to Lorraine and me.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly flipped the page on her notebook. Ari could tell she was in full cop mode because her usual jealous streak didn\u2019t surface. \u201cWhat\u2019s his name?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThe Hometown Grocery Guy, Stan Wertz? We\u2019ve seen his commercials.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She grimaced. \u201cHe hit on you? His ads are the worst. So what were they arguing about?\u201d Ari tried to remember but she\u2019d been distracted by some drunk women coming out of the<\/p>\r\n<p>powder room. Edgington was standing on the heels of his shoes, shaking his head and his arms were crossed. Wertz was clearly in his personal space, gesturing with one hand and squeezing Edgington\u2019s shoulder with the other. The pose suggested friendly coercion but Edgington seemed to want no part of it. They were working hard to keep their voices quiet and only the end of sentences grew louder. And she really hadn\u2019t been paying close attention.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m not sure. It was definitely about business. Wertz was trying to convince him of something, telling him that it would work and Edgington kept saying no.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDid they see you?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cNo, they were really into it when I passed by.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly tapped her notebook and gazed at her partner, Andre Watson, as he watched a lab tech work on Edgington\u2019s car. When the door finally opened, the alarm sounded, joining the blaring car horn in a deafening screech until the medical examiner allowed the repositioning of Edgington\u2019s body off the steering wheel. When it was finally quiet again, Molly and Ari joined Andre.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cHey, Ari,\u201d Andre said with a smile.<\/p>\r\n<p>A different tech motioned for Molly and Ari saw they\u2019d retrieved the flask and the briefcase from the passenger\u2019s side. The tech held out the note. I\u2019m finished. There\u2019s no other way, was written haphazardly with a black ink pen on a sheet of Edgington\u2019s personal stationery. Ari noticed a black ink pen rested in the bottom corner of the briefcase.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cLooks like he scribbled this pretty fast,\u201d Andre observed.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll have to see if we can have it analyzed,\u201d Molly added, \u201cbut I\u2019m not too hopeful. If he\u2019d been drinking heavily his penmanship would\u2019ve been greatly impaired. It\u2019ll be difficult to get a match.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDo you see any more pieces of blank stationery in the briefcase?\u201d Ari asked. \u201cA lot of people don\u2019t carry their personal stuff during a workday unless it has a purpose.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Andre checked and found three more sheets, killing Ari\u2019s theory that Edgington had definitely planned to kill himself.<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly stared at Ari. \u201cYou were one of the last people to see him alive. Did he seem suicidal to you?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Ari shrugged. She\u2019d been close to suicide herself but had fooled everyone and nearly died.<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly\u2019s face turned red when she realized what she was asking. \u201cStupid question. I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s okay. And no, I don\u2019t think he was suicidal. He hit on me and wanted a date. That\u2019s not something you usually do before you commit suicide.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cTrue,\u201d Molly conceded.<\/p>\r\n<p>She glanced inside. The medical examiner had removed the body and she carefully checked the upholstery with her flashlight. \u201cI don\u2019t see any blood and there\u2019s no sign of a struggle.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll run his cell phone records,\u201d Andre said. \u201cMaybe he made a call before he offed himself.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIf he did it himself,\u201d Molly corrected.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDo you need me for anything else?\u201d Ari asked, looking at her watch.<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly shook her head. \u201cNot right now.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Ari glanced at Adonis, who was watching them intently. \u201cHoney, I know you\u2019re busy but<\/p>\r\n<p>I need a favor.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWhat?\u201d Molly asked, exasperated.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThat guy standing over there is either going to follow me out of this garage and hit on<\/p>\r\n<p>me or he\u2019s going to stay and hit on you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Molly frowned and her eyes found Adonis. Ari knew she hated it when men came on to<\/p>\r\n<p>her. She thought everyone recognized she was a dyke the minute they met her. She didn\u2019t understand how beautiful she was to men and women.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t have time for any bullshit today,\u201d she murmured, pulling Ari against her for a soft kiss. \u201cClear enough?\u201d she asked, her voice a ragged whisper.<\/p>\r\n<p>Ari\u2019s throat went dry. Molly had that effect on her. \u201cQuite.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>They looked toward Adonis who supported himself against the wall, his jaw dropped.<\/p>\r\n<p>Two hours later they\u2019d cleared the crime scene. Molly turned toward the skyscraper next to the garage and pointed. \u201cLet\u2019s go have a chat with Mr. Wertz and see if he has an alibi for this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>They found his office high in the sky and she was automatically suspicious. She had a dislike for the rich and powerful that stemmed from her days on the Spokane police force. A rich white boy had been the cause of her former partner\u2019s death, at least that\u2019s how she\u2019d decided to remember it. It\u2019s the sense of entitlement and the general attitude that they\u2019re better than the rest of us. That\u2019s what bothers me.<\/p>\r\n<p>A receptionist directed them to an inner lobby and Mr. Wertz\u2019s personal assistant, Candy. Molly\u2019s gaydar instantly activated when Candy\u2019s eyes probed her body and she ignored Andre, a man who\u2019d been compared to Denzel Washington. Molly doubted he noticed since his gaze never left her voluptuous bosom that was trapped in a too-small silk blouse.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cMay I help you?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She flashed her badge and said, \u201cWe need a few minutes with Mr. Wertz about an incident that happened today at Heritage Square.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cOh? And if I may ask, how does this involve him?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She\u2019s good, not a pushover. Her job was to keep people out of his office and she scrutinized every request.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cHe was there,\u201d Andre said curtly. \u201cAt the luncheon.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Candy\u2019s gaze flicked between them and Molly noticed the slightest shift in her stony expression. \u201cSo you\u2019re here about Warren,\u201d she stated. She nodded and pressed a series of buttons on the massive communication system in front of her.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cMr. Wertz? Some detectives need to speak with you about Mr. Edgington.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>Interesting. He\u2019s Warren to her and Mr. Edgington to Wertz.<\/p>\r\n<p>She listened to his reply and said, \u201cI\u2019ll send them right in.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She escorted them into an immense office and he offered a perfect smile, his glistening teeth almost blinding. When he extended his hand, she noticed the gold and diamond cufflinks at his wrists that matched the band of his Rolex watch.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDetectives, how can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>He motioned for them to sit and returned to the imposing chair behind his massive desk. When he leaned back and crossed his legs, Molly realized he wasn\u2019t unusually nervous. He has nothing to hide or he\u2019s a great actor.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cMr. Wertz, we\u2019re not sure if you\u2019ve heard but Warren Edgington is dead. He died immediately following the luncheon at Heritage Square.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>He nodded. Obviously the news had climbed the twenty-four floors to his office or he had first-hand knowledge, which was why Molly withheld several pieces of key information.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s terrible,\u201d he said. \u201cWarren and I were business acquaintances. We hadn\u2019t worked together, at least not yet. We were pondering a venture but we hadn\u2019t made any definite plans.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWhat kind of venture?\u201d Andre asked.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cA land purchase. Warren had a few parcels that I thought might be appropriate for a future Hometown Grocery.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She waited for the usual grief comments that were typical of these interviews but he offered nothing except facts.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWe understand you were one of the last people to see him alive at the luncheon.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>He shifted in his seat. \u201cYes, we spoke. As a matter of fact we had a few harsh words as well about the land deal. By the end of the conversation I wasn\u2019t sure if we could collaborate.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cHow did you end the conversation?\u201d Andre asked.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWe didn\u2019t, really. It got heated so I walked away, intending to call him later.\u201d He chuckled slightly. \u201cI didn\u2019t think it was appropriate to argue outside the restrooms.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>When Molly looked up from her notes, he was waiting for the next question, his gaze moving between her and Andre.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIs there anything else?\u201d he asked, trying hard to disguise the impatience in his voice. \u201cWhen did you leave the luncheon?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cRight after that exchange. The luncheon was over and people were networking, typical<\/p>\r\n<p>of these events,\u201d he said with a wave. \u201cI was frustrated and returned to my office. I believe it was about one o\u2019clock.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cIs there anyone who can verify your return?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>He didn\u2019t answer right away and Molly met his stare. He cleared his throat and said, \u201cFortunately Candy was here so she can vouch for my whereabouts but most everyone else on this floor takes lunch from twelve-thirty to one-thirty. Any other questions?\u201d he asked emphatically.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cNo,\u201d she said, rising from the chair.<\/p>\r\n<p>He escorted them out with a nod of his head and they set their sights on Candy whose fingers flew across her keyboard. When they stopped in front of her desk, she quickly swiveled in her chair to address them. Time is really money around here.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cUm, Ms....\u201d Andre started, realizing he didn\u2019t know her last name.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThe name is Candace Narvold but everyone just calls me Candy,\u201d she said pleasantly. \u201cThanks,\u201d he continued. \u201cWere you here today at one o\u2019clock?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She nodded. \u201cI was. He was at the luncheon so I delayed my lunch hour until he<\/p>\r\n<p>returned.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cSo you saw him return from the luncheon?\u201d Molly asked.<\/p>\r\n<p>A sly smile crossed her lips. \u201cYes, I saw him after he arrived back from the luncheon.\u201d \u201cAnd you\u2019re sure of the time?\u201d Andre pressed. \u201cYou\u2019re certain he was back by one?\u201d She leaned over the desk and folded her hands. \u201cDetective, I\u2019m quite sure of the time. I<\/p>\r\n<p>was in his office when his cell phone alarm went off. It sounds everyday at one to remind him to take his medication.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cWhat medication is that?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She eyed them shrewdly. \u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s police business. Is there anything else I can help you with?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>They both shook their heads and headed back down the hallway. Molly glanced at the framed photos that lined the wall, each one depicting the same image\u2014Stan Wertz at the opening of a Hometown Grocery store, preparing to cut a yellow ribbon with an enormous pair of scissors. By the time they reached the elevator she\u2019d lost count at fifteen pictures.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s a lot of stores,\u201d Andre said. \u201cWhat do you make of him?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s a cool customer,\u201d she said, punching the button. \u201cHe showed no emotion and offered no help. Very hard to read.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDo you think Candy\u2019s telling the truth?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cDo you?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>He glanced back down the hallway at Candy. \u201cI don\u2019t know. If she likes her job then I\u2019ll<\/p>\r\n<p>bet she\u2019d cover for him but I think she\u2019s telling the truth. Judging from that smile on her face when we asked her where she was at one o\u2019clock, I\u2019d say she was with him in his office and she wasn\u2019t taking dictation.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p><br><\/p>\r\n<p>Chapter Two<\/p>\r\n<p>Maria pushed the swing higher until her feet rose above her head and her toes seemed to<\/p>\r\n<p>touch the puffy clouds. Back and forth she soared like the pendulum Mrs. Stimson had shown the class. She glanced at the empty swing next to her. Where was Selena? Maria frowned. Maybe her mama wouldn\u2019t let her out to play. It was Sunday after all, the Lord\u2019s Day. Fortunately Mama believed the Lord got his share in the morning and if she was expected to do chores, then it was okay to play later. She liked Mama\u2019s logic.<\/p>\r\n<p>In the distance a man wriggled through a hole in the playground fence. He was still far away and she was certain he\u2019d cut to the right toward the abandoned school that towered before her. Her brother Franco told her it was called the drugstore and junkies went there all the time. She and her friends could play on the swings and monkey bars and no one would bother them, but he said never ever go inside. She\u2019d kept her promise to him. The old place gave her the creeps.<\/p>\r\n<p>She missed Franco. He didn\u2019t live at home anymore and Mama said he was muerto because he ran a gang. But he still saw Maria after school sometimes. He told her she was separate from business and it wasn\u2019t her problem. He loved her no matter what. She still felt bad that Mama didn\u2019t get along with him and Mama would be mad if she knew that he visited her.<\/p>\r\n<p>The man was close enough now that she could see he wore a hat, sweatshirt and jeans. He didn\u2019t walk like a junkie and he was headed toward her. He stared at his feet as if he didn\u2019t notice she was there.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cTime to go,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\r\n<p>The first rule was always to run when a stranger approached. She slowed the swing and prepared to jump as soon as her feet scraped the ground.<\/p>\r\n<p>\u201cHey, little girl, can you help me?\u201d the man called. He was hurrying toward her, waving cash, a smile on his face. \u201cI\u2019ll pay you.\u201d<\/p>\r\n<p>She didn\u2019t buy it. Franco had warned her about strangers. None of them are good, hija.<\/p>\r\n<p>She jumped and landed in the dirt. When she stood he was standing before her. There was no point in running now since he could easily catch her. Her gaze went to the twenty dollars in his hand. Maybe he was telling the truth. 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