Cold Case Cop Read Online Free PDF

half-full sherry glass with her fingertip. “West Coast money. Stunningly beautiful. Men could barely think straight when she was in the room. She had a way of making them fall under her spell just by the toss of her head or a smile.”
    Alex shifted, remembering his own reaction to Kit. “And?”
    “I didn’t like the woman,” Gertie said. “I hate to speak ill of the dead, but she could be a cold-hearted manipulator. She could be quite unkind to Pierce. Granted he was a big boy and could take care of himself, but she had him completely wrapped around her finger and could make him do anything. It was rather sad to see.”
    That description contrasted what her chauffeur had told him last year. Borelli had described Pierce as abusive.
    Evelyn picked up her cards and started to arrange them. “Remember the incident after the Founders’ Ball last year?”
    Gertie wrinkled her nose. “Kit got into a fight with the ladies’ room attendant. She didn’t realize I was in the last stall. Anyway, for a moment that cultured, smooth voice of hers slipped. For just a moment, she sounded very common. After that I never believed she was who she said she was.”
    “What were they arguing about?”
    “Some woman named Brenda. I wasn’t really paying attention.”
    “Pierce said he did a complete background check on her,” Alex said. “In fact, he was quite helpful to the police, and supplied us with West Coast contacts.”
    “He did check her out completely,” Gertie said. “He is a thorough man so he should know. And she did sign a prenup, so he was happy. According to the prenup, she wouldn’t get a dime if she left him.”
    Across the table Roddie Talbot ran her finger along her neat strand of pearls. “Kit was quite chummy with her driver.”
    “Do you think they were having an affair?” Alex asked. The chauffeur had a record and had been a prime suspect until he’d produced ten witnesses who’d sworn he was in New York City.
    “Who’s to say if they were lovers?” Gertie said. “But I can tell you he was quite protective of Kit.”
    A clamor of noise had Alex lifting his head. He glanced toward the main entrance and saw a tall blond woman enter. She was wearing a Channel suit that matched her ice-blue eyes.
    Regina. His ex-wife. Damn.
    As if sensing Alex’s presence, the blonde’s gaze settled on him. Thin lips spread into a wide grin, and she brushed by the man she was with and hurried toward Alex, her arms open. “Alex!”
    He had started dating Regina at Princeton, but they’d known of each other since preschool. Their union had thrilled his parents and been an anticipated step after college graduation. After he and Regina had married, Alex had dutifully attended law school, and Regina took her place in society, filling her days with committee meetings and lunches. Their marriage had been happy enough until Alex’s cousin had died and Alex had chosen to join the police force. Regina had been furious. They’d fought bitterly. In the end, she’d asked him to choose between her and the career. He’d chosen the force.
    Tension crept up Alex’s spine as he rose. He hadn’t seen Regina since just before the shooting, when she’d called him out of the blue. She’d just broken up with her latest boyfriend and he’d just solved the murder of a young boy. He’d allowed her to charm him and they had ended up in her bed. When he awoke the next morning, he knew he’d made a terrible mistake. She’d spoken of reconciliation. When he’d refused, she jetted off to Europe. Two days later, he was shot.
    Two weeks ago she’d shown up at his home with a bottle of champagne and a gourmet meal made by her cook. She’d tried to rekindle their relationship again. This time he’d had the good sense to say no.
    Regina’s sweet perfume coiled around him as she kissed him on the cheek. “Alex, how are you?”
    “Doing well.”
    “You look wonderful,” she said, holding him at arm’s distance and studying