Fatal Disclosure Read Online Free PDF Page B

remembered how that sound used to thrill her.
    “That’s the guy,” he said. “It seems this is one of the most visited tourist spots on the island, and now I understand why.” He stared at the graves a moment. “Listening to you tell the story of how these men died made me think of my parents.”
    His words surprised Betsy. “I don’t remember you ever talking about your parents.”
    “I don’t talk about them much. They died when I was twelve years old.” He took a deep breath. “But I didn’t come here to talk about that. I wanted to make sure you’re all right.”
    She narrowed her eyes. “Of course I’m all right. Why would you think I wasn’t?”
    He glanced around as if he wanted to make sure no one was near enough to hear and then took a step closer. “A man who’d been shot collapsed and died at your feet this morning. Whoever killed him could have seen you. I think you need to be careful.” He raised his hand and swept it in a wide arc. “You’re out in the open at a tourist attraction in the middle of the day. It could be dangerous.”
    She pulled the gardening gloves from her hand and tossed them in the basket that held her trowel and pruning shears. “You’re being ridiculous.”
    He glanced up and down the street that ran in front of the cemetery. “This is off the beaten path from the main street of the village. I’m only concerned about your safety.”
    Betsy propped her hands on her hips. “Yeah, I’ve heard that before. It seems like that was what you said after Mr. Rousseau’s arrest. Your friendship with me was an attempt to keep me safe. Well, I didn’t buy it then—and I don’t now.”
    “Betsy, please. What happened this morning has nothing to do with Memphis.”
    “Maybe not to you, but I can’t help remembering how I felt when you thought I was a criminal.”
    “Betsy…”
    Before he could continue, her cell phone chimed. Betsy held up her hand to stop him. She unzipped her fanny pack and pulled it out. Mark’s lips twitched when he spotted the phone’s hard cover with its painted swirl of butterflies and flowers. “What’s wrong?” she said.
    He arched an eyebrow. “I’ve never seen a cover like that.”
    “I’m an artist. I like bright colors.” She dropped her gaze to the phone’s screen. The number on the caller ID wasn’t familiar. “Hello.”
    “Where is it?” the raspy voice rattled in her ear.
    She pulled the phone away and stared at it for a moment before she raised it back to her ear. “Excuse me. Who is this?”
    “A friend.”
    Betsy frowned and cast a quick glance at Mark.
    He stepped closer. “Who is it?” he whispered.
    She shrugged and spoke again. “You have the wrong number.”
    “No, I don’t.”
    “I don’t like prank calls, mister,” Betsy snarled. “Don’t call this number again.” She punched the end button and slipped her phone back in her fanny pack.
    “Who was that?” A worried frown creased Mark’s forehead.
    “Wrong number.” She gave the fanny pack’s zipper a quick tug and reached for the basket at her feet. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get going. Good luck catching whoever you’re after this time.”
    She brushed past him and headed toward her truck that was parked on the opposite side of the street. Her fingers gripped the basket’s handle tighter as she stepped onto the roadway. Her mind whirled with questions. Why had Mark gone out of his way to find her? She doubted if he really had concerns about her safety. He had allowed her to continue working in the dangerous environment of the Memphis restaurant without ever warning her. Of course at the time, he had thought she was involved in the operation.
    Ever since she’d first seen him this morning, her head had been spinning with all kinds of thoughts she didn’t want to remember. All she wanted was to get away from him as quickly as possible. Working on her latest painting would help her push these troubling thoughts from her head.
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