Read Linda Welch - A conspiracy of Demons for Free Online

”
    “That’s a lame excuse, even for you , ” he said in a level tone worse than his customary bellowing . It meant he was really, really angry. “What have you been up to? If you did anything to jeopardize the investigation. . . .”
    Mike knew me too well. I couldn’t tell him what Royal and I did, so I said nothing.
    “I f I or Provo PD discover s you’re investigating this homicide, I’ll issue a C and D . ”
    The infamous Cease and Desist. As if he hadn’t threatened me with it before now.
    “I found the number, Mike.” I rattled off Lynn’s phone number.
    “We already have the number, Tiff.”
    I expected that. Doubtless they found it in one of their databases.
    After a silence, he said, “Tiff, you and people like you are the reason my desk drawer is stocked with antacids.”
    “Maybe you should see a doctor.”
    Another heavy silence, till I broke it. “Mike, what can you tell me about Lynn’s death?”
    A snort, followed by , “Don’t ask , it’s out of my jurisdiction.”
    “Not a teensy— weensy clue?” I wheedled.
    “ I’m sorry you were acquainted with the victim , but y ou have to let this one go .”
    I could not stifle the rising anger. “Yeah, well remember that next time you come to me for help.” And I cut the call.
    I absent-mindedly groped in the bag for another barbecue-flavor potato chip as I stared at the menu of Lynn’s files, willing them to pop out something interesting . Provo PD would get to see Lynn’s financial and phone records, which could tell them a lot. I had this laptop, which told me nothing .
    The door clicked open and a white paper bag swung around the frame. I inhaled a familiar aroma.
    “Using my incredible powers of deduction, I’d say that bag contains . . . Royal, y ou brought bratwurst!”
    Royal’s grinning face joined the white bag. “I thought you would be over y our nausea and hungry . ”
    I jumped up from the chair. “Kennedy’s? You got Kennedy’s bratwurst? If I didn’t adore you already, I would now.”
    He tossed the bag before I could rip it from his hand. I caught it midair and reverently eased the edges apart. There they lay, nestled in their cardboard boats, two big, fat, juicy bratwurs t surrounded by sautéed onions in white buns. They were barely warm, no t hot and oozing juices , but I didn’t care. I can eat bratwurst cold if it comes from Kennedy’s.
    Royal snatched the bag and went in his living room. “I’ll heat the sausage in the microwave.”
    I followed him as he walked through the apartment to the kitchen.
    “Have you found anything?” he asked as he bent to find a microwaveable container in a bottom cabinet.
    I automatically shook my head, although he could not see me. “I don’t think so. Her appointment book is on there, and she documented her cases on the USB drives. Lynn was so organized; matching them is not a problem . But so far I don’t see anything suspicious, not even in her e - mail.”
    But who knew? An apparently routine investigation could be the beginning of whatever sent Lynn across the country to find me.
    He scraped the bratwurst and onions into the container and p ut them in the oven. Ten seconds later, the meaty smell made saliva form beneath my tongue.
    With the sausage and onions safely back in their buns and resting on white china plates , Royal took them to his glass-topped dining table. We sat across from each other. I couldn’t wait to dig in.
    “Tiff,” he admonished , and flapped a blue linen napkin between my mouth and the bratwurst.
    I grimaced, snatched the napkin and tucked it in my T-shirt’s neck. Then I took my first bite.
    My teeth popped the skin and flavor burst in my mouth. Meat, juices, onion and bread mingled to produce a heaven-sent experience.
    Royal laughed. “ I have seen that expression on people when they first view one of the Seven Wonders of the World .”
    I swallowed. “I can live without the Pyramids of Giza, I can’t live without food.”
    Though