Black Diamond Death Read Online Free PDF Page A

shifted in her chair and awaited my verdict.
    “Please Ms. Monroe; I can’t stop thinking about the urgency in her voice the last time we talked. Something was off. I know there’s more to what happened to her than what everyone thinks.”
    “Let me see what I can dig up,” I said, “but you need to understand I might not find anything.”
    “It’s a start. It means a lot that you are willing to look into it for me.”
    We went over the necessary fees and she signed the paperwork. I stuck my hand out and she gave it a firm shake.
    “I’ll be in touch,” I said.
    She shielded her eyes with her glasses again and said, “Thanks for not treating me like I’m crazy.”
    “For what it’s worth, you seem normal to me, and I’m sorry about your sister.”
    “There is one more thing,” she said.
    “What’s that?”
    “I requested my own autopsy, but they’re backed up right now and I don’t know how long it will take for the results to come back from the lab. They won’t return my calls.”
    “I might be able to help with that,” I said. “Let me see what I can do.”
    For the first time since laying eyes on her, Audrey Halliwell smiled.
    “I appreciate it, I really do.”
    “I would need access to Charlotte’s body,” I said.
    “She’ll be transferred to the funeral home today. Will that work?”
    I nodded.
    “And now I need a favor from you,” I said.
    “Name it.”
    “I’d like to take a look at her place.”
    Audrey stuck a hand into her purse and pulled out a key ring. She tinkered with it until the shiny silver one broke free.
    “1233 Powderhorn Street,” she said, and tossed it to me.

CHAPTER 6

    Charlotte Halliwell was a celebrity in Park City. Locals adored her for her athletic achievements and tourists respected her even more for her unyielding and tireless effort in finding them the perfect vacation home of their dreams. Her slogan, you can ski in, but you won’t want to ski out made an impression on people. To prove her death wasn’t an accident wouldn’t be an easy task. But in my line of business just because it walked like a duck and talked like a duck, didn’t make it one, and for the first time in a long while I was faced with something new—a challenge.
    The time on my watch displayed a much later hour than I hoped. I sized up my shower for a brief moment, but there was no time for a quickie. I caught my reflection in the mirror. The hair looked decent but the make-up needed a refresher. I fiddled around for a washcloth, washed it off and reapplied, and then made a mad dash for the door.
    I arrived at Moll’s Tavern at 7 pm. Right on time. Moll’s was my favorite spot for a late night rendezvous, or an early one on this particular night. I looked around, but there was no sign of Nick who ran on his own time. I waved myself past the hostess and paused to order a drink at the bar before I wandered over to my usual spot.
    Moll’s offered two main dining areas, one for family and the other for fun. Tonight fun served up a live band and an open bar. Life was good.
    I sat at my favorite table and tried to concentrate on my drink, but all I noticed was the haphazard arrangement of the silverware before me with the spoon to the left of the knife and the salad and dinner forks to the right. I picked up the pieces and reorganized the flatware in its correct position and then reclined back, amazed in the satisfaction that came from a little silverware organization.
    “Couldn’t resist, could you?”
    I looked up.
    “You’re late,” I said.
    “No more than usual,” Nick said.
    I shot him a wink.
    “About ten minutes, but who’s counting.”
    He glanced at my martini.
    “I see you went ahead,” he said.
    I took a sip and held my glass up high.
    “Cheers!”
    Nick looked handsome tonight. His button-down shirt was tucked into a pair of dark denim jeans which were snug and showed off his toned physique. He had a hint of a five o’clock shadow which complemented his buzz