Death and Deceit Read Online Free PDF

seem quite like the rest. But just in case, he was giving it time. Now, after five days, he was ready to see her again. On Monday he’d see her at her workplace. If he still felt the urge for her, he’d ask her out again. This time he’d be more serious. Yes, Liz was intriguing.
    Kent did a few more push ups then wiped his forehead. It was too damn hot to exercise. He rose and walked to the far end of his new apartment, turning up the air conditioning another notch. He stood in front of the blast of cool air and inhaled deeply picturing Liz. She had told him she was twenty-three, but she looked older. At five-five, he guessed her weight around one-twenty-five-one-thirty. She could lose a few pounds, she told him, but she was into aerobics and if his opinion counted, she was toned and muscled enough for him. Liz Barrows looked just right, she was one high-intensity babe.
    If he played his cards right he might soon have that little blonde right where he wanted her. He glanced through his bedroom door and frowned at his unmade bed. He’d better tidy up though before he even thought of asking a classy girl like Liz to his apartment.
     
    ****
     
    Eleven o’clock on Monday, Liz was back at the club in Jessie’s aerobic class. She loved Jessie’s choice of 70s music. The disco beat was invigorating and cheerful. It made her feel good and Jessie had so much energy she kept all the ladies in step. After Jessie’s little sermon about good health habits, Liz cooled down with the group then joined her friend.
    “That was a super workout. I feel great. And I’m losing weight.”
    “You don’t have to,” Jessie said. “You look fine now.”
    “Now,” Liz stressed, “I’m fat. Look at you talk. Skinny Minnie.”
    Jessie laughed. “I missed you, Liz. Where have you been? I know Kent Morgan kidnapped you, right?”
    “I wish.” Liz took out her ponytail and brushed down her straight locks.
    “You mean you haven’t been dating him every night since last Thursday?” Jessie asked, while she picked up the mats. “I tried to call you Saturday and there was no answer. I thought you might be busy with Kent and didn’t wish to be disturbed.”
    Liz picked up the last mat and flung it on top of the heap of others. She closed the storeroom door and turned to Jessie with a wry grin. They walked back to the reception area and Liz finally answered Jessie’s questions. “I was shopping and went to a movie Saturday night with an old girl friend. As far as Kent goes, I hadn’t seen him at all until this morning, when he came back to the office to check out more computers. I didn’t want to sound like I’d been hanging around waiting for his call, so I just offhandedly asked what he’d been doing. He told me he’d been busy. I don’t know, Jess. I think he’s giving me the cold shoulder. What should I do now?”
    “You’re asking me? The idiot who almost got involved with a chat-line crackpot?” She then told Liz about Gary Burke.
    “My God, he does sound spooky, Jess. I mean spying on you and all. I’d stay away from him...that is the chat line.”
    “I am. I haven’t even touched the computer since Saturday.”
    “So, what have you been doing then?”
    “Reading. Thinking about my brother. I gave Mom a call yesterday, and she said she hasn’t heard from Alan for a couple of weeks.”
    “Is that usual?”
    Jessie shrugged. “I think he calls her pretty regularly. They’ve always been close. But Mom sounded worried...or maybe just lonely. She’s not been the same since Dad passed.”
    “Hasn’t that been awhile?”
    “Three years and three weeks ago.”
    Since Jessie seemed to be fading into a depressed moment, Liz changed the subject. “Are you coming to lunch?”
    “I can’t. I brought a sandwich. We’re short staffed today and I’m on the desk again for the next hour. But, you know, I don’t feel so intimidated by the computer anymore. I guess having one of my own helps, even though I’m scared to