Death and Deceit Read Online Free PDF Page B

death to turn it on again.”
    “That’s crazy, Jess. Stay away from the chat lines. I wish I’d never introduced you to them.”
    Jessie waved her hand. “Ah, forget it. It was my own stupidity getting involved with Gary Burke. Look, we’ll lunch tomorrow for sure, okay?”
    “Sure. No problem. Maybe I’ll see Kent at the restaurant. Half the office eats there you know.” Liz waved at Jessie, who was seated at the reception desk, then left the building.
    The street was crowded with noon-time pedestrians and curious tourists who sauntered leisurely down the narrow sidewalk. Impatiently, Liz shouldered her way forward and moved briskly towards the Green Parrot. Her breath caught when she eyed Kent opening the restaurant door. But who was that redhead smiling at him?
     
     
    CHAPTER TWO
     
     
    On Tuesday, Jessie stopped by the computer shop for some disks. Racing to meet with Liz for lunch, she hurried outside and hardly saw the person entering the door until they’d collided, and she was sprawled on the sidewalk.
    Two strong arms pulled her up and Jessie apologized, “I didn’t see you. I’m sorry.”
    “No. I was daydreaming. Did I hurt you?” he asked.
    Those blue eyes melted into her, and she couldn’t have told him even if she could have spoken, whether she was hurt or not. Because at that moment all she was feeling was a warm, pleasantness like one gets when slipping into a hot, fragrant tub.
    He took her arm and assisted her walking along the sidewalk until they found a bench beside a hardware store. He sat her down gently, and Jessie finally found her voice.
    “I’m fine,” she said, keeping her eyes averted lest she should once again look into his eyes and lose her voice again.
    “You sure?”
    “Oh, yes. Just a little embarrassed. I should have looked where I was going.” She gave him a quick sideways glance and caught his smile, that brilliant, gleaming smile that again took her breath away. He was tall, real tall, wearing a collarless white shirt and dark trousers. The wind fingered through his dirty-blond hair leaving it unkempt and appealing. His eyes were really quite hypnotic and fascinating. They crinkled merrily in the blinding sun. All in all he was incredibly handsome, most perfectly put together.
    For a brief moment he seemed speechless too then the smile wavered. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he said earnestly. He hesitated again then continued quickly, “I’d better get going. I’m late for an appointment.” And he was gone.
    Jessie rose, shook her head at her stupidity and carelessness. She was late also. She hurried towards the Green Parrot restaurant.
    Liz waved to her from a small corner table. Jessie brushed at her hair and smoothed down her white, cotton pants. She reached the table and sank into a chair. “I’m sorry I’m late, I—”
    “Doesn’t matter,” Liz interrupted. “I had nothing better to do than wait.”
    Jessie draped her purse strap across the chair back and sighed. “What’s wrong, Liz? Is it Kent? What happened yesterday? Didn’t he ask you out or anything?”
    “That’s just it, Jessie. He really flirted with me all afternoon. I was almost positive he was going to ask me out before he left. But...” She hunched her shoulders and drew in a long breath then exhaled, her shoulders drooping as she hung over the table.
    Jessie looked at her defeated friend wishing she knew the right words to cheer her. “I’m sorry, Liz. But, hey, you don’t need a spoiler. I’ll bet within a week you’ll find someone better than Kent Morgan. He’s the loser if he doesn’t date a great person like you.”
    Suddenly Liz brightened. She gave Jessie a broad smile. “You’re right. I’m not mooning over him anymore. I’m moving on.”
    They ordered lunch and the waitress filled their cups with coffee before she left with the order. Liz picked up her cup and had it almost to her lips then dropped it quickly, spilling some into the saucer. Jessie looked up