Cynthia Hamilton - Madeline Dawkins 02 - A High Price to Pay Read Online Free PDF Page A

dose of whimsy on an epic scale.
    Madeline took several photos for Lauren to add to the story boards. A black lacquered podium had been erected on the far side where the DJ would later set up after the tables had been cleared away and the chairs moved to the perimeter of the pavilion to make room for dancing.
    Madeline let out a satisfied huff and checked several items off her list. With any luck, she could get the swag bags sorted and get back to her office before lunchtime. She wished she could begin working on the Story case, but that would have to wait. Unless she found the mislaid jewels, she couldn’t do anything toward solving the mystery until she got Teresa’s Social Security number from Helen, which she feared would be no small hurdle.

    As Madeline walked down the hallway of her building, she noticed the door to Current Affairs was open. She heard Mike and another male voice, familiar but not immediately recognizable. She slowed her pace as she tried to piece together the possibilities. If it were Mike’s new client, they would be on the P.I. side of the suite.
    As she crossed the threshold, she caught a glimpse of Mike. His expression was not entirely readable, but she definitely picked up on the alarm and anger emanating her way. When she turned to face the visitor, Madeline instantly knew there was trouble.
    “Here she is,” Mike said, arms folded, eyes hard. Madeline ignored the rebuke in her partner’s voice and turned her attention to Detective Slovitch.
    “Let’s go next door,” she said, not wanting Lauren to be privy to whatever urgent matter had brought about a visit from SBPD.
    “I suppose this isn’t about a licensing issue,” Madeline said, being flip without meaning to.
    “A body was discovered early this morning at Lake Cachuma. It’s since been identified as that of Rick Yeoman.” The blood drained from Madeline’s face. She wobbled and caught her balance on the edge of the desk.
    “Why didn’t you tell me he was being released?” Mike blurted out. He couldn’t help the aggrieved tone in his voice. If Detective Slovitch hadn’t been present, he wouldn’t have held back. But Mike’s sense of betrayal paled compared to what Rick Yeoman’s death meant to Madeline.
    “Do we know how he died?” she asked.
    “Gunshot wound to the head, execution style. Entry wound at the back of the head. He was found caught up in some tree roots by the maintenance crew.” Madeline sank into one of the chairs in front of Mike’ s desk.
    “Any idea who did it?” Mike asked. Detective Slovitch glanced at Madeline before answering.
    “Yeoman secured his release by ratting out his former boss.”
    “Ridley?” Mike asked, his voice rising two octaves.
    “No. His other boss, Usherwood. Yeoman and the others in Ridley’s security detail all served under Usherwood, first in the armed forces and later when they got into private contracting.”
    “Is that a euphemism for the mercenary business?”
    “Yeah. Let’s just say that Usherwood’s boys had been party to acts that would send most people to prison for life, or worse, had they been caught. Yeoman’s three years in Folsom were enough to make him trade Usherwood’s hide for a ticket out of there. Four days of freedom were all his squealing got him.” Detective Slovitch let this image sink in.
    “So now it looks like we’ve got someone with a score to settle running loose in Santa Barbara County. At this point, we don’t know if it’s Usherwood or one of his homicidal pals. The FBI is handling the investigation, since it was their stoolpigeon who got whacked. Personally, I think that was part of the plan all along—use Yeoman as bait to catch Usherwood. Yeoman was definitely expendable, but they didn’t get Usherwood. Not a good outcome.”
    Both Mike and Slovitch regarded Madeline. It took her a moment to realize they were waiting for her reaction. But she couldn’t react. She felt numb. She knew this was bad news for her