Deceptive Read Online Free PDF Page B

white dress shirt showing between the edges of his open black leather jacket only added to the impression. “Just finished up.” He waddled toward them. “I think you’ll be pleased with the new landscaping.” His voice had a nasal quality and the quick cadence of his words indicated he was from another part of the country besides Texas.
    “You must be at the wrong house,” Zoe called. “I don’t have any landscaping scheduled.”
    The man scratched his cheek and consulted a clipboard that had been tucked under his arm. “Zoe Hunter? Five-two-five-one Vinewood Avenue?” His thin salt and pepper hair must have once been shaped into a crew cut, but it had grown out several inches and spiked up above ruddy cheeks and watery brown eyes.
    “This day just gets weirder and weirder,” Zoe muttered to Jack. She tucked the flowers into the crook of her arm and reached out to take the clipboard the man held out. “There’s got to be a mistake. I didn’t—” she broke off as she looked at the clipboard.
    One of Lucinda’s flyers was pinned under the shiny metal clip. For a second Zoe couldn’t say anything. A gust of wind flicked the edge of the paper back, revealing more identical flyers.

Chapter Four
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    "W HERE did you get these?” Zoe demanded.
    The man lifted his chin in the direction of the house. “Why don’t we step inside and talk about it.”
    “No, I think we should call the police.” Zoe turned to Jack. “These are the flyers that disappeared.” She could tell Jack had picked up on the tension in her voice. If someone had given him a quick glance they wouldn’t see anything different from a few moments earlier, but Zoe knew him well enough to recognize well-disguised wariness as he slowly circled the hood of the car.
    “That is why it’s important we talk.” The man pulled back the edge of his jacket, revealing a handgun tucked into a holder at his hip.
    Jack halted.
    “Don’t worry,” the man said with a little laugh. “I don’t want to use it. All I want to do is talk.”
    Zoe and Jack exchanged a glance.
    He let the jacket fall back over the gun. “Just a simple conversation, and then I’ll leave. I promise, you want to hear what I have to say. Otherwise, I
will
contact the police.”
    “Let’s do that now.” Jack pulled his cell phone out of his pocket.
    The man shrugged. “Fine by me, but I don’t think you want her to go to jail, do you? Or, did I completely misjudge your feelings for her?”
    Jack’s finger hovered over the keypad.
    “What are you talking about? I haven’t done anything wrong.” Zoe shook the clipboard at him. “I have nothing to be afraid of,” she said, but she could feel blood pumping through her veins. A surge of nervousness hit her as she remembered the doubtful looks the police had sent her way this afternoon.
    “You know that.” The man extended his hands then brought them into his chest. “I know that. But it is a question of perception, isn’t it? The police already think you to be...unbalanced. A few interesting details could push their opinion of you to seriously disturbed. And when there is evidence to support that view...” He trailed off then shrugged again. “Again, it doesn’t matter to me. I simply want to talk.” He held up his hands, palms out. “In fact, I will leave the gun in the truck, if it will make you feel better.” Jack tensed as the man removed the gun from the holster, but he didn’t seem to notice. He opened the door on the driver’s side, shoved the gun under the seat, and slammed the door. He activated the lock with the key fob and turned back to them. “There. Now, surely we can talk.”
    Zoe swallowed. “Let’s hear what he has to say.”
    Jack looked like he wanted to disagree.
    “Excellent.” The man headed for the front door.
    Jack fell into step beside Zoe and said in a low voice, “Not a good idea.”
    “I don’t love it either, but I want to know what information