Murder Take Two Read Online Free PDF Page A

than question, as though by sounding positive she could make the answer come out the way she wanted it to.
    Parkhurst, as far as Susan could see, didn’t respond with so much as a flicker of an eyelid, but what little color there was behind the makeup on Laura’s face drained away. Susan was afraid she’d drop over in a dead faint. Parkhurst apparently thought so too. Before Susan could move, he had Laura’s head down around her knees.
    Seconds passed, then she started making muffled mewling noises and he released her. The heavy smeared makeup was still the only color in her face. Susan retrieved a glass from the cabinet in the kitchen area, filled it from the tap, and handed it to Parkhurst.
    He did a surveillance of Laura’s face as he placed the glass in her hand.
    â€œIt should have been me,” she whispered.
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œI was supposed to be up there—on the railing—when—”
    â€œWhy weren’t you?” Parkhurst asked, but he’d lost her; her attention was caught on something in her mind. Probably the fall. Her skin got a little green; her eyes went unfocused.
    Putting his hands on her shoulders, he said quietly, “Talk to me, Laura. Concentrate. That’s right. Now, where were you when you were supposed to be in the loft?”
    â€œSomebody killed her? Why?”
    â€œWe need to find out the answer to both those questions. Who would want to kill her?”
    Laura simply looked at him, then shook her head. “Accidents happen, you know. Even when everyone’s being very careful. They just do. They—”
    â€œLaura—”
    â€œDeliberate?”
    â€œMaybe. How long have you known Kay Bender?”
    â€œI don’t know. Two years. Maybe longer. What does it matter?”
    â€œDid she have any conflict with anybody, anybody dislike her?”
    â€œI don’t know. I don’t think so.” Laura’s head swiveled around to look at Susan.
    Parkhurst turned her back, held his hands on both sides of her face like blinders. “Never mind her, Laura. You’re bright enough to know that if Kay wasn’t the target, you were. You in any trouble?”
    â€œWhat kind of trouble?”
    â€œYou tell me. If someone tried to kill you, or hurt you, there must be a reason.”
    â€œNo. I don’t know. Something is wrong on this film.”
    â€œWhat do you mean wrong?”
    â€œI don’t know. It’s not anything I can point to. It’s a feeling. Something going on underneath the surface.”
    Under whose surface? Susan wondered cynically.
    â€œAlways, or just since you came here?”
    Laura hesitated. “I’m not sure. But it’s certainly been stronger since we got here.”
    â€œHave you made anybody angry? The director?”
    â€œFifer would never try to harm me. That’d mean his movie wouldn’t get finished. You’ve no idea how much money would be lost.”
    But there would be insurance, Susan thought. A possibility? Director kills, or seriously injures, star to collect? She made a note to check into the financial situation of this movie.
    â€œYour co-star?” Parkhurst asked.
    â€œNick? Why would he try to hurt me?”
    â€œThat’s what I’m trying to find out. Maybe you eat garlic right before the love scenes and he’s tired of it. Maybe a lover’s spat, true love not running smooth.”
    â€œOkay, so we have our moments. We’re both professionals. It doesn’t affect our work.”
    He stared at her. She lowered her head, shiny gold hair obscured her face. Her breathing got quick and shallow. Parkhurst was getting to her, Susan thought, but damned if she knew what was going on here.
    â€œAll right, Laurie,” he said. “You’re smart, even observant when you want to be.”
    She raised her head, tried to look him in the eye, but her gaze slid away and her face flushed a soft