Beautiful Music Read Online Free PDF Page B

her voice. He decided to take over. “Detective, do you think this person was involved with whatever happened to Jasmine?”
    “There’s no reason to believe that. There’s no physical evidence. I would say this was a swimming accident. Drowning. Sharks possibly.”
    Jena drew in a sharp breath and Chase eyed her. The color left her face, and her eyes filled with unshed tears. He resisted the urge to take her in his arms, reassure her and erase the horrible images she must be seeing.
    “So what is it you’re needin’ from us?” Mrs. R. interjected.
    “We’ve been unable to contact this man’s next of kin. We have no name and nothing to go on.”
    “I’m sorry,” Jena said softly, “I don’t know anything that would help you. Jasmine only mentioned him in passing during one of our conversations. I never met him.”
    “Well, I can tell you I’m just the housekeeper. She didn’t go blathering to me about any boyfriend.”
    “What about her daughter?”
    “Sorry, Detective, you won’t be talking to our niece.” Chase’s voice turned icy.
    “I understand. Would you keep your ears open? Here’s my card.” He handed one to each of them. “I appreciate your time. I wish I had more to offer you.”
    “I’ll show you out,” Mrs. R. said sternly.
    “Thank you. Again, I’m sorry.” He nodded in their direction as he followed Mrs. R. out of the kitchen.
    “You okay?” Chase asked quietly as he watched Jena stare into her lap.
    “I’ll never be okay,” she replied hoarsely. “She never mentioned anybody to you?”
    “No. I never even got a name. Maybe we should ask Andrea.”
    “Don’t even think about it,” she glared at him. “There’s no point in upsetting her. It won’t bring her mother back.”
    “There’s a family out there, Jen, who doesn’t know where their son is…brother…Maybe he was a father.”
    She stood suddenly, her face full of anger. “I can’t… I won’t concern myself with someone else. My priority is my niece. I’m sorry for their loss, but it’s not up to me to make it right. If you say one word to Andrea, I swear…” her voice trailed off and she exited the kitchen without warning.
    Mrs. R. returned, her eyes wide with surprise. “Okay. I nearly got plowed over by that girl. What did you do now, Chase? She ran past me so fast her shadow couldn’t keep up.”
    He held his hands up in surrender. “Nothing, I swear.”
    “Why don’t I believe you?” her eyes narrowed.
    “I brought up asking Andrea and Jena went nuts.”
    “Do I need to write you a script? You stick your foot in your mouth more than food.”
    “Yeah, well, it’s a gift,” Chase muttered.
    “You have the receipt?” she asked putting her hands on her hips.
    “Funny.” Chase walked to the sink and washed out his cup when a thought popped in his head. “Why did you show him out the front door?” Did she know something she wasn’t telling them?
    “I had a few things I wanted to say to him…privately.”
    “Such as?”
    “It wouldn’t be private, now would it, if I told you?”
    Chase’s suspicions were interrupted when Andrea burst through the kitchen door.
    “Missy, you just took ten years off my life,” Mrs. R. exhaled loudly with a hand to her chest. “What is it with you people?”
    “Sorry. Hey, when are we leaving? Can you get me some chocolate when we go to the store?” Andrea asked hopefully.
    Chase cast a questioning look in Mrs. R.’s direction.
    “Figured I’m here already. You ready to go, Andrea?” she added quickly.
    “Yep. Bye Uncle Chase.” Andrea ran around the table, giving Chase a peck on the cheek.
    “Yeah, be good,” he replied while giving Mrs. R. a “What are you up to?” look.
    Mrs. R. grabbed her purse and snipped at him. “Use your time wisely, young man.” The door shut behind them leaving Chase in the house with Jena…alone again.
    ****
    Jena read the letter for a second time and quickly stuffed it in the envelope. Why would Jasmine