Material Witness Read Online Free PDF

were talking, and several were taking pictures.
    The shoppers reluctantly went back inside as a county vehicle arrived. Two crime-scene techs spoke quickly with Captain Taylor and then began setting up mobile lights.
    When they switched them on, Deborah saw the body, the black shoes, dark stockings, apron hem, and plain dress.
    Her stomach clenched as if she were seized with a heavy labor pain. “Who is that, Callie?”
    “It’s Mrs. Knepp.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Yes, I’m sure.” Callie placed her head back between her knees as Trent McCallister pulled his truck to the curb, then ducked under the crime-scene tape.
    He made his way straight to them. Tall, with light-colored hair that reached past his collar, he always reminded Deborah of a teenage boy. It was more than the carefree smile and the clothes that looked as if he’d stolen them off one of the skateboarders down at the park — tonight ragged blue jeans and a “GET FIT”T-shirt. It was that his hazel eyes seemed to refuse to grow up in spite of the things he photographed as editor, writer, and photographer of the town paper. Or maybe — the thought startled Deborah as she knelt beside Callie — maybe because of them.
    “You two all right?” Trent asked.
    “We’re fine, but she’s not doing so well.” Deborah nodded toward Mrs. Knepp.
    “Almost looks as if she tried to fly from the top of the tree and met a hard landing.” Trent raised his new Nikon digital camera, one with a lens big enough to capture more detail than Deborah cared to see. He clicked off three pictures, then turned back to them. “Were you here when it happened, Callie?”
    She shook her head no, but didn’t raise her eyes to meet his.
    “What’s wrong with her?”
    “Gavin says she’s in shock.”
    “Huh. You’d think she’d be used to this by now.” Trent snapped two more pictures and turned back toward Melinda and the boys. “Why are they waiting outside?”
    “Oh, my gosh.” Callie’s head popped up. “I forgot about them.”
    She jumped to her feet, nearly tripping herself on the hem of her fashionable dress. “I wonder why they’re still waiting by the bench.”
    “Callie, I need you to stay over here.” Taylor stepped between her and Melinda. “I know you want to go to her, but she’s fine. They’re all fine. Can you wait here until we take your statement?”
    Callie nodded but turned to Deborah as soon as Taylor walked back over to his men. “Why can’t we go to her? What harm would it do?”
    “He probably wants to make sure you don’t color each other’s statements. If you talk to each other, you’ll begin to echo what the other says.” Deborah glanced over at Melinda, who now sat on the bench next to Aaron. Matthew sat beside her, staring at the growing collection of officers.
    “Melinda didn’t see it,” Callie reminded her. “Aaron did. Aaron was here before I was.”
    “Then Aaron is their primary witness.” Trent reached in his pocket and pulled out a treat for Max. “What?” he asked, in response to Deborah’s stare. “I’m a reporter. It makes sense for me to carry dog treats. You never know when I’m going to cross a hostile canine.”
    Whistling softly, he walked away.
    “He only does that for Max, doesn’t he?” Deborah reached forward, scratching Max between the ears.
    “Yes. I think my dog is gaining weight.”
    “Are you okay now? Your color’s coming back, but I was worried there for a minute.”
    Callie reached down and placed both arms around Max, giving him a giant hug. Then she stood and looked Deborah straight in the eyes. When she did, Deborah realized why Callie had been sitting with her head between her knees.
    It wasn’t merely the shock of what she’d seen.
    It was the realization of what was to come.
    “Deborah, I’d thought maybe Mrs. Knepp had just collapsed — died of a sudden aneurysm or heart problem.”
    “Except you don’t collapse with both your arms out.”
    “True. It’s an odd