Gina Cresse - Devonie Lace 03 - A Deadly Change of Heart Read Online Free PDF Page A

don’t know if I’d call him.”
    “Bradley?  Is that her husband?” I asked, knowing the answer.
    “Yes, but maybe you should take the purse to the police, considering the situation,” Melissa suggested.
    “Police?  I don’t understand.  Why the — “
    “I have the name of the detective in charge of the investigation here, somewhere.  Let me see if I can find…here it is — Detective Wright.  You should call him and tell him about the purse,” Melissa said.
    “Wright?” I asked.
    “Yes.  Sam Wright.  Here’s the number,” she continued.
    I took out a pen and wrote down the name and number.  “Can I ask how Diane died?”
    Melissa was silent for a moment.  Her voice sounded choked when she finally started to speak.  I got the feeling she was close to Diane Parker.  “She fell.  She was out running near Point Loma — Sunset Cliffs.  She fell…or was…I don’t know…maybe she fell off the cliff, but I think there’s more to it than that.  Just call Detective Wright, please.”
    “I will.  I promise.  Thank you for talking to me.”
    As I hung up the phone, Jason’s words reverberated in my head.  This was the skeleton he warned me about.  I hate it when he’s right.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
    I punched in the phone number for Detective Wright and waited for his answer. 
    “This is Wright,” he announced into the phone.
    “Hello.  My name is Devonie Lace.  Melissa Anderson gave me your number.  I found Diane Parker’s purse and she suggested I call you,” I explained.
    It sounded like he dropped the phone.  I waited for the commotion to stop, then he came back on the line.  “Excuse me. Spell your name,” he requested, and I complied.
    “Where did you find the purse?” he asked.
    I explained the details and I could tell he was taking notes.
    “Did you ever find who killed her?” I asked.
    “Diane Parker’s death was an accident.  Those cliffs are unstable.  Signs are posted, she just ignored them,” he said.
    “But now that you have this letter, doesn’t it sound like her husband might be a suspect?” I asked.
    “I don’t see how.  Anyway, it’s a police matter.  I’d like to come pick up the purse and take a look at your vehicle.  What’s your address?”
    I checked my watch.  I had a dinner date with Craig and I didn’t want to be late.  “I have an appointment tonight, but can I bring it to you tomorrow morning?  It would be more convenient for me,” I explained.
    “You’ll bring your vehicle?” he asked.
    “Yes.  You won’t want to keep it, will you?” I asked, biting my lip and worrying about being immobile again.
    “I doubt it.  Just want to get some numbers off it.”
    “Okay.  I’ll bring it by the station in the morning,” I promised, then hung up the phone.
    I gathered up Diane Parker’s purse and jogged up the dock to the parking area.  I slid the key into the Explorer’s ignition and gave it a turn.  It started without hesitation, but when I tried to put it in reverse, there was a terrible grinding sound.  I double-clutched it and tried again until I found my gear.  I chalked it up to being out of practice with a manual transmission.
    I rang the bell and waited on Craig’s porch until he opened the door.  He shot me a panicked look.  “You have to go away.  I’m expecting my fiancé any minute,” he said, peering around me as if he were looking for another person.
    I grinned at him.
    “Oh, wait.  You are my finance.”  He gave me a huge smile and a hug.  “Why do you ring the bell?  I gave you a key.  This is your house, too.”
    Standing there with his arms wrapped around me made me feel safe and happier than I’d ever been.  My whole life, I’d fought those feelings, sure that once I allowed myself some happiness, someone would take it away from me.  “This is your house.  It won’t be our house until we’re married, and even then I’m not sure it’ll feel like