Lie Catchers Read Online Free PDF Page B

squirmed in the chair, his face orange-red now, frustration in his expression. “Remember old Jimmy Carter, how he got into trouble for saying he could recall times he lusted in his heart?” At a nod from Parker, Halley continued, “I wanted to kill Ev Olson; I dreamt of it, lusted for it.” He sighed. “But I didn’t murder him. If he’d come back and taken up with my little girl again, I might have.”
    Parker spent the next half hour asking questions about Everett Olson’s work history and gathering more names of men and women who could have been friends or enemies, depending on which women Olson bedded at any given time. Parker handed his fake business card to Halley, and rose. “Looks like I have quite a few people to interview, Mr. Halley. I’ll be talking to Susanna, you know.”
    “Beware of shrapnel,” he muttered.
    “I’ll be in town for a couple of weeks, at the Viking B&B.”
    Standing, Halley shook Parker’s hand. “I’ll take you to Tilly’s office. After you talk to her, I’d suggest you visit with Liv.”
    “Really? Why?”
    His mouth tightened. “I’m the type who keeps out of people’s business unless it affects the cannery, but I’m not deaf. Something happened between Liv and Ev many years ago. I’ve learned not to put those two names together, but I’m not sure why. This is a town full of stoic Norwegians, after all. Even if I’m not one of them, I try to act like them.” Halley gave Parker a measuring look. “Good luck finding out the real truth about Ev Olson, Detective Browne.”
    ****
    “Don’t tell me,” were the first words out of Tilly Grant’s mouth once Halley had introduced Parker to her and left the room. Grant flopped down in her chair and pouted. “I usually don’t let people into my office with bad-news expressions on their faces.”
    “Sorry, Ms. Grant.”
    “God, lighten up. Call me Tilly,” she said, her belligerence cancelling out any sense of familiarity. “I’m an accountant, buddy, and negative news affects my numbers. I already don’t like you.”
    Parker inhaled, feeling unprepared for Tilly Grant. The woman snapped her gum and her eyes at a fearsome speed, while her hennaed shoulder-length hair shifted stiffly, like it was either a wig or heavily sprayed to stay in place. She was short, dressed in a denim jumper over a white blouse, hiding her shape and squaring off her body. Her best features were her big brown eyes and a full mouth, both exuding irritation.
    She stopped chewing long enough to hear Parker’s announcement of Everett Olson’s death. “I’m sorry, ma’am. This must be a great shock to you.”
    “Shit,” she said. “Always the drama. That’s Ev.”
    “I understand you two had a falling out some time ago.”
    “Finding a used condom in your boyfriend’s truck can do that.” She raised an eyebrow. “I don’t do it in vehicles, you see.”
    “Uh,” said Parker. “Right. I don’t suppose you know who…”
    “You mean did I take the condom in for a DNA test? Or did Ev spill his dirty little secret once I had the evidence in hand? Pah! Clearly you don’t know much about Everett Fucking Olson.”
    “That’s what I’m here to learn, ma’am.”
    “Jesus Christ. Stop with ma’aming, won’t you?”
    “Tilly. When did you see Everett last?”
    “Aren’t you supposed to ask where I was on the night he died?”
    “We aren’t sure when he died.”
    “When will you know?”
    “We may not be able to pinpoint the day, since he was in the water for some time.”
    She sighed. “I haven’t seen that freeloader’s hind end since I kicked him out of my house.”
    “But some say your separation was temporary and you’d probably get back together.”
    Heavier sigh. “I told you Everett’s middle name.” Tilly waited for Parker’s assent. “He may be a dick, but he’s a good one, if you know what I mean.” She looked around her office as if seeing it for the first time and not liking it at all. “I’m