Broken Build Read Online Free PDF

questions.”
    “If she’s innocent, she has nothing to fear.” Mathews’ gaze bore into Jen. “So, I’m asking you now. Did you see Rey Custodio when you came out of the building around eleven?”
    “No, I didn’t.” Jen gave him a level stare, but her gut churned as if a starved squirrel clawed inside.
    “Did you see anything? His car, anyone in the parking lot, a passerby? Hear anything?”
    Yeah, only Rey’s murderers. Just stick to the basics. Don’t give him anything he doesn’t need, especially the memory stick. Jen steadied her voice by loosening her jaw, throat and shoulders, a remnant of voice lessons from her delinquent father. “A white car drove by.”
    “Make, model? Did you get a plate?”
    “No, maybe a Toyota or Honda? I didn’t get a good look.”
    “Fair enough. What were you doing outside the building?”
    Jen focused on the detective’s salt and pepper goatee. “Looking for a cab—”
    “Are we finished here?” Owen maneuvered himself between them. “Because I need a few words with my client, and since she’s not a suspect, she’s free to go.”
    Mathews stretched and looked Jen up and down. “Definitely a person of interest.”
    * * *
    Jen wobbled on shaky legs down the steps of the police station with Owen nipping at her heels like a belligerent Boston terrier.
    “If you want to be my client, you better tell me everything. You’re lucky he doesn’t have enough to arrest you.”
    Jen lengthened her stride, but Owen grabbed her arm, wheeling her to face him. “Haven’t we been friends long enough?” he said. “Wasn’t I one of the few kids to sit with you in the lunch room?”
    She stopped in front of his car, itching to flick through her text messages. Why hadn’t she claimed she needed to use the restroom instead of dashing out of the police station? Didn’t Rey agree not to call or text her? How did he even get her number?
    Owen swung the car door open. “Have lunch with me and let’s go over everything.”
    Jen climbed into the seat. “Why is everything going wrong? I had nothing to do with this.”
    He tapped her shoulder. “I was reading the detective’s face. He was hoping to trip you up. Luckily I stopped him. Let me see your phone.”
    Jen stuffed it under her thigh. “Please, can I look at them first?”
    Owen started the engine. “Fine, tell me when the message from Rey was placed.”
    Jen flipped her phone open. The text message stared at her from the screen. Bitch, you broke the build.
    “11:47 pm,” Jen said. “But I was in the building then.”
    “And you didn’t even have your phone. So, why did he text you?” They drove several blocks in silence. Jen bit her tongue. What could she say? Did Owen know that she and Rey were acquainted with each other? He had been away at college and law school the last seven years, but he could have heard some gossip. She’d better watch her answers.
    He turned the car into the parking lot of a diner. “Ever been to the Hoot?”
    Jen could care less where they ate. During the drive, she had checked the rest of her messages, texts from her sister, Christy, a few from Praveena and her boss, Greta. “What I can’t figure out is why Rey texted me.”
    Owen held the car door open for her. “Maybe it wasn’t him. I think it’s whoever had your purse and found your phone. But how did they know you were a build engineer?”
    Jen shrugged. “Maybe they saw some old messages. How would I know?”
    She followed Owen into the almost deserted diner, and they sat in a corner booth. Stale sawdust covered the darkened section near a linoleum dance floor, and the stench of beer mixed with bacon grease permeated the plastic surroundings. A sharp-eyed waitress slapped menus on their table and poured coffee for Owen.
    “She want any?” The waitress lifted an eyebrow at Jen.
    Jen waved her hand. “Water, please.”
    Owen opened the menu. “Best grits and gravy this side of the Mississippi. Care for some catfish and