Read One Deadly Sister (Sandy Reid Mystery Series #1) for Free Online Page B

positioned in each corner. The noon crowd was just starting. She sat quietly by the window. She wore her brown hair chin-length and was dressed for her real estate agent role in a beige suit with a smart white blouse. All matched with a brown suede satchel handbag, which rested on the window ledge beside her. She was remarkably attractive and perfectly composed.
    She offered her hand. “When you phoned I had to think a minute, now I do remember you from the party.”
    He studied her face for evidence of the assault—no sign of physical distress. He supposed her stylish sunglasses might hide a blackened eye. And there’s the magic of makeup.
    “I can see why Loraine would be interested in you,” she said. “You seem to be her type. Serious people tend to attract each other.”
    “Anyone Loraine’s type should be locked up.”
    “You’ll have to explain that. She was dressed a little flashy at the party. I don’t have the nerve to dress like that. She must have been high...flirting around.”
    “Maybe I caught her in a merrymaking mood.”
    “I didn’t know she had one. What happened to your hand?”
    “Burn, I was careless. Bought something at the drugstore. Used my left hand to wrap it.”
    “Without a doubt the worst bandage job I’ve ever seen. Let me rewrap it for you, I used to be a candy striper.”
    “No thanks, it’s going to be okay.” Her composure surprised him. Cordial chatting wasn’t what he expected. This wasn’t a woman in need of solace.
    “Should I be frightened or flattered about your phone call?” The waitress brought her tea. He ordered coffee. “You sounded surprised I agreed to meet you.”
    Ray glanced at his watch. ”Can we stop right here, Tammy. You have me confused. Why did you direct me to Al Towson?”
    “I don’t get you. You went to see the senator?”
    His eyes widened. “Al Towson is a senator? You’re joking!” So, Ray had not only aggravated a prominent official, he had destroyed his valuable cup as well.
    “Sure, a state senator not federal. You were introduced to him at the party, didn’t you catch that? He’s running for Governor next year. Should be a landslide. I might be on his campaign staff and go with him to Tallahassee.”
    “That explains several things. So, you two are an item, as they say. He’s helping you with your...problem?”
    “Problem? You mean the lousy real estate market? No, he’s not helping me with anything. We were never involved. I used to work for him on his staff at City Hall when he was mayor. We’re not seeing each other. He just didn’t want to go to that party alone.”
    “Just escorting you?”
    “Yes, a holdover from when I worked for him as his personal assistant. He’d get loads of invitations to everywhere...you name it and countless free tickets. If he wasn’t seeing anyone special, or just didn’t want to go somewhere alone, he’d call to see if I was interested. His driver would pick me up and take me home. Back then at a party, he might go off and huddle up with some people. I’d spend the evening picking cashews out of nut bowls. That was years ago. Selling real estate’s a tough gig, and I get sales leads from being in the loop and being seen with him.”
    For the last few minutes, Ray had enjoyed looking at her and listening. She looked so perfect there across the table that she took his mind from the muddled Loraine mess and the broken cup. She appeared to Ray as an educated, classy woman, nothing like the loose woman described by Loraine. This woman displayed high self-esteem and wasn’t likely to tolerate any abuse.
    She sat back. “Hey, I’m doing all the talking. Why on earth did you go to his apartment?”
    “The text message you sent about an hour ago.”
    “Not me, how would I have your number?”
    “I left it on your machine.”
    “Haven’t checked lately. What’s going on?”
    “I was looking for you. This is awkward Tammy. I know what happened. Loraine told me all about it.