Read The Return of the Fallen Angels Book Club (A Hollis Morgan Mystery 3) for Free Online Page A

a tuberose fragrance.
    Gene sat next to Rena. “Doesn’t matter. It’s good to see you.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
    “Hi, Rena.” Miller took her outstretched hand in his own and squeezed it warmly. “It’s good to see you … all of you. What’s everybody been up to?”
    Gene looked boyish as ever with his blond hair gelled into spikes. He mockingly raised a manicured hand. “I’m still with the newspaper. About a year ago, I got promoted to editorial page chief, but I still love a good book.”
    “Until the trial, I never knew you worked for a paper. Had I known back then, instead of me coming out of pocket for our books, you could’ve gotten them for free.” Miller shook his finger. “I manage a regional library system.”
    Gene shrugged. “Sorry, how was I to know? You told us you got the books at no cost.”
    “Yeah Miller, you should have said something,” Rena said. “Isn’t it interesting to find out as we go around the room how we moved on. I knew about you, Gene, because I saw your name in the paper.” She sat a little straighter in her chair. “After the trial I officially changed my name to Rena Gabriel. I had gotten used to it. Now I work for a retail store—”
    “Barneys,” Gene interjected, then, “Sorry, go on.”
    Hollis wagged her finger. Gene was fashion conscious as ever.
    Rena laughed. “Yes, Barneys.” She swiveled her chair. “And yes, Gene, before you ask, I do get a discount.”
    He slapped his leg. “I knew it.”
    “Anyway, I still love to read too,” Rena said. “What about you, Richard? You didn’t end up testifying.”
    “No. My wife has a sensitive job in government, and I didn’t want my name out there. Fortunately the DA gave me a break. I didn’t have to testify at the trial unless they absolutely needed me.” He looked around at each of them. “But you know, I’m glad I don’t have to hide anymore. I was starting to confuse myself.”
    They all laughed with more than a little self-consciousness.
    Gene pulled out a mint and popped it into his mouth. “I never changed my name.”
    Hollis crossed her arms. “Well, you guys all know my background. The trial spared nothing in revealing the details of my life.” She leaned into the table. “Miller, what exactly do you manage for the library?”
    “I’m able to request information from any library in the world. We obtained a new—”
    “No offense, Miller, hate to cut you off, but I can’t be here all evening.” Richard pointed to his watch. “Gene, what did you learn about Wallace’s death?”
    Gene slipped on a pair of reading glasses—not the dime-store kind—and pulled a piece of lined paper from a folder in his backpack.
    “He was shot in the stomach with a .38 caliber. He could have survived, but he bled out before anyone found him.”
    Rena hugged herself, her hands gripping her upper arms. “When did it happen?”
    “Monday night in his office between eight and nine p.m. He was working late. His body was discovered by the janitor early the next morning.”
    Richard frowned. “There was no one else working late? No security walking around?”
    Gene shook his head. “Due to state budget cuts, security is limited to the lobby. So they would have called him to tell him he had a visitor. He’d have to let whoever killed him into his office.”
    Hollis was silent.
    “What do you think, Hollis? You’re awfully quiet,” Miller said.
    She looked up from where she was taking notes. “It sounds like whoever killed Jeffrey knew he was working late and knew the cleaning schedule or was just lucky.” She scribbled on a piece of paper as she finished her thought. “Was there anything else, Gene?”
    “Yeah, the police don’t have anyone in custody. They brought his son in for questioning, but they let him go.”
    Rena raised her eyebrows. “Jeffrey had a family? I mean it’s not impossible but I just never saw him with a family. He didn’t have any pictures