Read The Ex Who Wouldn't Die for Free Online

was going to do these grandiose things. He was very convincing."
     
    She ' d believed him when she first met him, throughout their two-month whirlwind courtship and even for a couple of weeks after their marriage . She ' d wanted to believe. Her parents had hated Charley immediately, so that had gone a long way toward validating him and ensuring that she ' d marry him.
     
    The motorcycle repair shop he ' d promised to help her open had happened, though the " partnership " element had never materialized. He hadn ' t produced the financial backing or the clientele, but, to give the devil his due, he had helped her find the courage to do it, to quit her most recent default job as a real estate agent.  
     
    Daggett' s left eyebrow lifted again. "So," he said, "the deceased was a small-time con artist. Did he have a day job?"
     
    A small-time con artist. That made it sound crude and insignificant. "Yes, he was a con artist who never made the big-time, " Amanda admitted . " And no, he didn't have a day job. He worked at being a con artist twenty-four seven . He was dedicated to his career ."
     
    The detective made a few notes, then again directed his stern gaze to her. Apparently there wasn ' t going to be a " good cop . " " Was Charley involved with another woman? "
     
    Amanda stiffened, but waved a hand negligently as if the matter were of no import , was not totally humiliating . " Women, not woman. Yes, Charley ' s charm and lack of morals extended to other women. "
     
    " Can you give us names? "
     
    " We were never formally introduced . "
     
    Daggett' s lips almost curved into a wry smile, but he caught it just in time. Yeah, she might like him under different conditions. " Did you catch him with another woman? "
     
    "I never actually caught him in the act , or I might have shot him . Justifiable homicide." She glared at him, daring him to contradict her assessment. " But t hey called him. He c ame home smelling like cheap perfume and wearing his shorts backward. If we went out together, women would come over and flirt with him. A couple of them called me to ask me to let him go . One even came by our home. I felt kind of sorry for her. She stood at the door and cried and begged me to let her see Charley. I told her I'd toss his sorry ass out and let her have him but he wasn't home. He wasn't home a lot."
     
    " Were you jealous of these women? "
     
    "Of course." The first time, she'd been insanely jealous, but after th at initial betrayal , she'd simply hated ...the women, Charley and herself .
     
    " So you ' ve had personal contact with some of these women, but you don ' t know their names. "
     
    Amanda shrugged. " I can give y ou first names and descriptions. None of them were around for more than a few days. Charley wasn't into long-term relationships." Except with her . She want ed to get away , and he didn't want to let her go. Typical Charley.
     
    Daggett leaned back, blew out a long sigh, and rubbed his square, stubbly jaw. " You know, you ' re not being very helpful. It ' s in your best interest to give me another suspect. "
     
    Amanda threw up her hands and opened her mouth to protest, but Brian interrupted her. "May I remind you that our presence here is on a voluntary basis. If you've finished questioning my client, we ' ll leave now. "
     
    The cop scowled at Brian, then forced a pseudo-smile. " I appreciate your coming in, " he said, his voice dripping with honeyed sarcasm. "And while I don't want to be a nuisance, I do have a couple more questions, if you don ' t mind. "
     
    Brian gave a curt nod.
     
    "What did you and the deceased fight about the day he was murdered?"
     
    "I advise you not to answer that."
     
    Daggett dropped his pen on the table and looked frustrated . "We've already taken statements from the neighbors. It's not exactly a secret that Mr. and Mrs. Randolph were arguing about their divorce. I'd just like to get a few details so we can find out what happened in that apa rtment