Divine Justice Read Online Free PDF Page A

hand.
    Big mistake.
    He had an instant vision, a flash of a woman lying on the floor, her body bruised and beaten beyond recognition. It haunted him. As did the image of large black shoes. Something about them gnawed at his mind, like an irritating sliver that wouldn't dislodge itself.
    "You saw my mother," Jasi said when he told her what he'd seen. "The night she was murdered. A night I can't remember clearly and one I desperately want to put out of my mind."
    They'd spent the evening together, lying side-by-side, not touching, just talking. It was the beginning of a deep friendship.
    Ben was reading the file on Monty Winkler when the door opened. Jasi entered, looking flustered but refreshed. Her hair was damp and she wore no makeup. Then again, she didn't need it.
    "Hey," he said. "I was about to call you."
    "Sorry, I was sleep-showering after my morning run. I could've stayed in there for another hour."
    "You'd come out looking like a shriveled prune."
    "With ratty hair." Jasi smoothed her ponytail. "This hotel needs to get new blow driers."
    He smiled.
    "What are you grinning about?" she muttered.
    "Nothing."
    Jasi's pet peeve was her hair. She preferred it straight, but she grumbled that it took too long to straighten with a hot iron. The natural waves always crept back as soon as the humidity soared. So every morning, up it would go into a ponytail that swung when she walked.
    "You look great," he said, pulling on his gloves.
    Jasmine McLellan always looked great, as far as he was concerned. She was a beautiful woman with striking green eyes and flaming red hair. A Scottish wench with a wicked temper, he thought with a smirk. He should know. He'd been on the receiving end of that temper many times.
    "You're a sight for sore old eyes," he said, turning back to the monitor.
    Jasi snickered behind him. "Yeah, you're so old, Ben. That bit of gray hair above your ears is spreading. Might have to get you a walker soon." She dragged a chair beside him. "Where's the coffee?"
    "It's coming. I ordered breakfast for us, so we can start wading through all the files. The RCMP really didn't have much to give us. I can see why they're stumped."
    She nudged the laptop. "What have we got so far?"
    "Stats on Monty Winkler." Ben clicked on a folder. "He's married, no kids. A member of some exclusive social clubs, including the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club."
    "Membership to the Hunt Club isn't cheap," she said. "Even for an MP. What's his wife do again?"
    He scrolled through the file. "Marilyn Winkler is the CEO of Paragon Research Corporation, located at Shirleys Bay." He frowned. "Hmm, this is interesting."
    "What?"
    "Paragon is funded by three generations of family money."
    Jasi's brow lifted. "Winkler money?"
    He shook his head. " Dailey money." At her blank look, he said, "Warner Dailey?"
    "I have no idea who you're talking about, Ben."
    "Warner Dailey was a business tycoon who made it big back in the late 40s. He funded companies that sold weapons and ammunition to the US and Canadian military during the war."
    "And he owned Paragon?"
    "Dailey founded the company in 1952. His son Stephen took over when he passed away." He glanced at the monitor and a chuckle escaped. "You'll never guess who Stephen Dailey was."
    "Who?"
    "Marilyn Winkler's father."
    "And now she's CEO."
    "Her father died last year and left her the family business, plus all of his investments."
    "That's some inheritance."
    He watched as Jasi moved to the window. There was a calm grace in her movements, like a dancer. Of course, she was completely unaware of this and if he ever said anything, she'd deny it and probably tackle him to the ground.
    You're one tough cookie, Jasmine McLellan.
    "Money and a position of authority are a powerful mix," she said without looking at him. "It gives her freedom to travel with her husband."
    "And keep an eye on him. The file says two women publicly accused him of adultery."
    Jasi turned. "Who?"
    "Karen Hampton and Deirdre…Dailey. Now