Read When the Smoke Clears (Deadly Reunions) for Free Online Page B

suppose I didn’t really think it was that important. He’s been doing yard work and odd jobs for people until he could find something permanent. I’m not real sure of the details, just what I picked up at church.”
    Alexia stared at her friend.
    She knew exactly what Serena had been thinking and why she hadn’t mentioned Devin’s presence. Serena had been protecting her. Why rub salt in old wounds that had never really healed by telling her something that would hurt her?
    Still, now that she knew, the hurt spilled over. Once again, she’d been betrayed by a parent.
    At least that was how it felt. That her mother would choose to let Devin live with her after what he’d done to Alexia . . . well, it just went against everything in her to accept that.
    Anger burned within her as she sucked in a deep breath and schooled her features. “Oh.”
    She had a feeling she hadn’t fooled Serena or the man who stood silent and observant, taking in every detail of the conversation.
    “Hunter? You coming?”
    Detective Isaac’s voice jarred her. Alexia blinked and ordered herself to keep it together. She’d learned at an early age not to show too much emotion. Steeling her facial muscles, she turned toward the steps where the detective stood waiting.
    Hunter walked past her and into the house. Alexia started to follow when Serena took her hand. “You don’t need to go back down there.”
    “Good.” Breathing a harsh sigh of relief, she looked at Serena and gave a brittle smile. “Crazy way to see each other again, isn’t it? I think I much prefer you making the trip to Washington.”

8
     
    Monday, 7:00 p.m.
     
    Hunter stared down at the body of the man he’d known only in passing.
    Katie joined him. “You think she did it?”
    “I don’t know.” The coroner had already placed the body in the bag, he just hadn’t zipped it. Serena would get Devin cleaned up and make the official call on how he died, but it was pretty obvious to Hunter. “Any sign of the weapon?”
    Katie shook her head. “No. A knife is missing from the set in the kitchen. The killer must have taken it with him.”
    “Assuming there was a him,” Hunter muttered.
    “Right.”
    With everything in him, he didn’t want to believe Alexia killed Devin, but he hadn’t seen her in ten years. He didn’t know what she was capable of. One thing he did know was that he was still attracted to her. Amazing that after ten years, he was still drawn to her haunting beauty. To the red hair that he was sure would singe his fingers should he touch it, and the eyes that looked like they’d been carved from the purest emeralds.
    More than ten years ago, he’d noticed more than her beauty, though; he’d been fascinated by her strength, her character, and her dogged determination to rise above her family’s lousy reputation.
    Today, he was just drawn to her. Definitely something he would have to dig deeper into at a later time.
    In spite of who his father was.
    He winced at the thought. Yeah, that might be a problem.
    Katie rubbed her chin. “I think we should search the house. You know, cover all our bases.”
    “We don’t need a warrant.” Hunter looked around, filing his personal thoughts away to be pulled out later and examined.
    Katie nodded. “We’ve got probable cause. The murder weapon could be in the house somewhere.”
    “CSU hasn’t found anything yet,” Hunter stated. “And there’s no evidence that says Alexia murdered Devin.”
    His partner snorted. “Except the blood on her hands.”
    Hunter watched the coroner zip the black body bag, then turned and headed back up the steps to find Alexia in deep conversation with Serena.
    Alexia was frowning. “I know I need to go, I just don’t want to.”
    “Your mother’s changed, Alexia. Give her a chance.”
    “So you’ve said a dozen times.” Alexia didn’t look convinced.
    Hunter watched her, curious at the expressions flitting across her face.
    She chewed her lip, looked at the