Deadly Accusations Read Online Free PDF Page A

with you.”
    â€œOnce in a while.”
    â€œIt’s pretty clear she likes you.” Casey paused. “Has she asked you out?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œShe comes by on bowling nights a lot, but you’re the only team member she makes a point of talking to. And she always involves Marie in those chats, probably so I won’t get suspicious.”
    â€œYou’ve got it wrong, and I’ve never heard you this insecure before.”
    â€œWhat did I get wrong?”
    â€œIt’s not important.”
    â€œCome on, Lou.”
    â€œLook, the chats aren’t about Jasmine trying to hook up with me.”
    â€œMeaning she’s been trying to get you and Marie together?”
    â€œIt won’t happen, so don’t worry about it.”
    Casey fumed. Marie had lusted after Lou for a long time, and used to flirt with him outrageously. She’d thought Marie had given up, but maybe Jasmine had decided to play matchmaker so Marie wouldn’t be so obvious. Worse than their conspiracy, though, was the depressing realization that Lou had kept this from her.
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me?”
    â€œI didn’t want to make things worse between you and them.”
    Casey leaned back in her seat, suddenly exhausted.
    â€œWill you be home soon?” he asked.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œGood. Don’t let the rockhound thing get to you. You’ll catch him, I know it.”
    That was Lou. Always optimistic and supportive; trying to make the best of things. Sometimes, deep in her heart, she wondered if she deserved him.

FOUR

    ON THE SECOND FLOOR, CASEY rushed into the security department and glanced at the wall clock. Twelve-thirty, damn. She’d lost track of time researching comparative police systems for her essay, and should have had her report on last night’s fiasco finished by now. Stan would be demanding it any second. She also had to record this morning’s uneventful shift with the kids on the M10 bus.
    Casey spotted a yellow Post-it note stuck to her computer screen. “Time sheet needed by 2:00 PM . No excuses! ASS.” Casey sighed. She was supposed to have done her time sheet yesterday, but after Stan’s lecture and Summer’s unexpected visit, Casey hadn’t felt like hanging around to record two weeks’ worth of shifts on a spreadsheet.
    She booted up her computer and, collecting her thoughts, began to type. She’d barely finished the first paragraph when Stan’s door opened. “Casey, can you come in a minute?”
    Something in his tone made her turn around. The parts of his face not covered by hair were flushed. Worse, Stan couldn’t quite meet her eyes.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?”
    He glanced around the room. “No one else here?”
    â€œIt’s lunch time.” When he didn’t say anything, Casey said, “I should have my report about last night finished soon.”
    â€œIt can wait.” He unloosened the knot in his mint-green tie. “Come inside.”
    Oh, this was bad. She’d never heard Stan say that reports could wait.
    In his office, Casey took the chair nearest the open window. Stan fiddled with the pens and pencils in the cup, and then zeroed in on his bonsai. When his lips started quivering and he wrung his hands together, she started to worry.
    â€œMarie called a few minutes ago.” Stan tried to meet her gaze and failed. “I don’t know how to say this.” He paused, and then opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
    The room started to feel hot. The only sound Casey heard was distant traffic. “What is it?”
    Stan rested his elbows on the desk. “Someone shot Jasmine . . . She didn’t make it.”
    â€œWhat?” A prickly sensation ran down her back. “When?”
    â€œA little over an hour ago.”
    â€œIt can’t be.” Casey’s mind went blank. “Are you sure?”
    Stan nodded. “It