Read Cruel Intent for Free Online Page B

you tell me about today? I believe you told me Bryan was at your place most of the day.”
    “That’s right,” Ali said. “We had a problem with a building inspector, and Bryan waited around until she showed up.”
    “Is he usually at your place all day, every day?” Dave asked.
    “No,” Ali answered. “He has multiple jobs and multiple crews—three that I know about for sure.”
    “What time did he get arrive today?”
    Ali had to think about that. “It must have been close to ten. I really didn’t pay much attention. He’s my general contractor, Dave. He isn’t required to punch a clock. He supervises workers, picks up supplies, and chases after permits. When it comes to work ethic, I’d have to say Bryan Forester is right up there at the top of the list. He puts in some very long days—not unlike a certain homicide detective who shall remain nameless.”
    Ali’s gentle jibe produced not so much as a glimmer of a smile from Dave. “And how was he once he got there?” the detective persisted. “Did you notice anything unusual about his demeanor?”
    Ali paused before she answered. She didn’t want to pointthe finger of suspicion in Bryan Forester’s direction, but she felt obliged to tell the truth. “I suppose he seemed out of sorts,” she admitted. “I chalked it up to what was going on with the building inspector. She’s not a very nice person.”
    “But Bryan didn’t say anything to you about what might have been bothering him?”
    “Not to me, and I doubt he said anything to Leland Brooks, either. If he talked to anyone at all, it would be his workers—his foreman, Billy, in particular. They’ve worked together for years.”
    Dave jotted something into his notebook. “Billy?”
    “William Barnes.”
    “Oh, him,” Dave said. “Can you give me the names of the rest of his crew?”
    “Not first and last,” Ali said. “Leland probably keeps track of all that. I know them on sight but mostly by first name only. Ryan and Gary are the ones I remember; they both said they’re planning on being on the job tomorrow. If you want to stop by and talk to them then, you’re more than welcome.”
    “They’re coming to work tomorrow even after what happened today?” Dave asked. “Why would they do that?”
    “Loyalty, maybe?” Ali returned. “Bryan strikes me as a nice guy. His workers seem to think the world of him. Maybe they’re just trying to help out. Or maybe they need the money.”
    Dave’s grunt of acknowledgment let Ali know that even though he may have heard what she said, he remained skeptical. “I’ll come see the work crew tomorrow,” he said. “Probably fairly early in the morning, unless something else comes up.”
    “How are Bryan’s girls doing?” Ali asked. She couldn’t keep from thinking about those two motherless seven-year-olds. And the fact that they were the ones who had discovered their mother’s body on the front porch.
    “As well as can be expected,” Bryan replied grimly. “They’re with their father and their grandparents right now. Bryan’s folks came up from Phoenix. From Sun City. They’re all checked in to the Best Western. Bryan and Morgan’s house has been declared a crime scene. So’s their yard. No one’s going back there for the foreseeable future.”
    That was what Ali had expected. So much for Edie’s tuna casserole. But remembering what her mother had said about Bryan’s twins, Ali found herself more worried about one of them. What about the quiet one who never allowed foods to mingle on her plate? How would a child like that deal with what must seem like the total annihilation of her carefully organized existence? “Are they going to be okay?” Ali asked.
    “They were pretty distraught,” Dave returned. “And understandably so. Deputy Meecham, the DARE officer, is great with kids. She did what she could to help them, but they’ve been severely traumatized. I’m hoping we’ll be able to schedule CHAP interviews for both