Bone Dance Read Online Free PDF Page B

“What is it, Joe?”
    â€œThat old guy on the end?”
    â€œYeah. What about him?”
    â€œHe’s dead.”

    The auditorium was darkened and cold. Hours had passedsince the body had been removed, and only the white chalk outline and the yellow police tape were left to show that anything amiss had taken place.
    Lex longed for a drink, but he was all too aware of the detective’s skeptical eyes watching his every move. God, what a mess! he thought. Murder! The worst possible thing that could happen. He slumped back into his seat. He wasn’t sure how he was going to pull out of this one. It was the kind of news that made headlines anyway, but by happening at a Revival, it was going to be top tabloid fodder. He rubbed his hands wearily over his face and felt the beginning of stubble on his chin. He’d look like hell on the front pages when the press, already ten deep outside the police cordon in the parking lot, got through with him.
    â€œSo, just to tie up a few loose ends, sir, could we just go over the details one more time?” The detective lounged in a seat in the front row.
    Lex dragged his attention back to the present. “Certainly, detective. Whatever I can do to help you in this tragic, tragic event.”
    â€œNow, about Miss Danvers. Did you know that the deceased was her father?” the detective asked.
    They’d already taken Loretta away. Lex still couldn’t believe it. “No, no, I had no idea. None at all.”
    â€œDid she seem unusually upset tonight?’
    Lex hesitated. He pursed his lips as if trying to remember. “Well, she was a little distracted, but I didn’t think anything of it.” He had a momentary flash of Loretta’s strained and white face, her eyes fixed on the man in front of her.
    â€œDid you see the gun in her hand?”
    â€œNo. She had palm flashlights. I don’t know how she’d hold a gun.”
    The detective sighed. “It’s a very small calibre gun, only good for close range. It is possible to hold it and pull thetrigger, even with a palm light.”
    Lex replayed the scene again. Loretta pointing at the old man and his falling like a sack of potatoes.
    â€œDid you hear the discharge?”
    â€œNo. It was hard to see or hear anything. You know, lots of flashing lights and the organ really pounding out the music.”
    Loretta had shot the old guy in cold blood, straight through the heart. God! Lex shook his head in disbelief.
    â€œDid the deceased say anything to Miss Danvers before the incident?”
    â€œNo. He was just there in the front with the others. I never saw him before tonight.” Lex suppressed a shudder as he thought of those cold, dead eyes looking into his own.
    â€œDid you know that Miss Danvers possessed a firearm?”
    â€œNo.” They’d found it in the pocket of Loretta’s gown. Loretta had protested that it wasn’t hers, that she’d never seen it before, but the fact remained that it was in her possession. Lex wondered what else she’d kept from him.
    â€œWell, I think that wraps it up for now, sir. You’ll need to stick around for the next week in case anything else comes up, but for the meantime, you’re free to go back to your hotel.” The detective closed his book with a small snap and hauled himself up out of the chair. “Please call the station and let us know if you’re planning on leaving town for any reason.”
    Lex waited until the detective closed the door behind him, then blew out the deep breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding and pulled out the flask. He took a long drink, feeling the liquor burn its way down his throat and into his stomach.
    From the shadows behind the platform, Charlene sauntered over and sat down next to him. She reached for his flask, took a swallow and said, “Are they gone?”
    â€œYeah. Helluva thing, isn’t it?”
    â€œWell, Lex honey,