Six Killer Bodies Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Besides, anything could
    happen over the weekend. Michael Lane might be taken
    into custody. Or—” She sighed. “I hate to say this, but The
    Charmed Kil er could strike again and at least everyone wil
    know you’re innocent.”
    He blinked slowly. “I’m prepared for things to run their
    course.”
    Carlotta bit her cheek in frustration. Even though she knew
    in her heart that Coop wasn’t The Charmed Kil er, she
    ached for his reassurance. Then there was the matter of
    what he’d said to her just before he was arrested. He said
    he’d done something terrible, that he’d kil ed someone.
    But he’d been drinking, and at the time when she’d
    pressed him, he’d brushed it off as a bad joke.
    She held her tongue now only because she worried their
    conversation might not be private, and that Coop was stil
    too foggy to express himself clearly. She didn’t want to be
    responsible for him saying something to further
    incriminate himself.
    “How are you?” he asked.
    “Worried sick about you.”
    His mouth twitched. “Stil living with Peter?”
    “Staying with him, yes.”
    “I’m glad you’re safe. Did you talk to Wesley about the
    drug test results?”
    “Not yet. I’m waiting for the right time.”
    “Don’t put it off too long.”
    “I won’t.” Carlotta wet her lips, then put her hand on the
    window. “Coop, I’m afraid for you.”
    He lifted his large hand to mirror hers against the glass.
    “Don’t be. Everything wil work out, you’l see.”
    She felt the heat from his skin through the cool glass.
    Memories of their weekend in Florida came flooding back
    to her. They had been the victims of bad timing and if she
    could go back…
    Tears clogged her throat. “We want to help, me and
    Hannah and Wes. Tel me what we can do.”
    He gave her a wry smile. “Water my plants?”
    “I’m serious, Coop.”
    “You can’t help me, Carlotta. This was bound to happen,
    one way or another.”
    Her mouth parted in confusion, but before she could ask
    him to explain, the door opened and a guard stepped into
    the room. “Time’s up.”
    Carlotta’s throat convulsed. “I probably won’t be able to
    talk my way in again. I told the woman at the front desk I
    had to see you so I could break our engagement.”
    He gave a little laugh. “Wel , it was fun while it lasted.”
    A tear slid down her cheek. “Coop, I…” She didn’t know
    what to say. She wasn’t in a position to make promises,
    and she was acutely aware of how the situation might
    distort emotions.
    “Hey, how about a smile before you leave to get me
    through?” Coop asked.
    She inhaled deeply, then gave him the best grin she could
    manage.
    “That’s better,” he said.
    “Call me if you need anything at all.”
    “Thanks for coming,” he said, then returned the receiver
    to the cradle.
    Realizing that he hadn’t responded to her offer of help,
    she hung up the phone on her side and watched with
    growing panic as he was handcuffed and led away. The
    shuffling of his shackled feet sickened her. She choked
    back a sob.
    “Ma’am, are you okay?” the guard asked kindly.
    She covered her mouth and nodded, then fol owed the
    man blindly back to the lobby area where she retrieved
    her purse. When she emerged, she looked up and nearly
    swallowed her tongue.
    Jack Terry was standing in the lobby, leaning on the
    counter talking to Officer McHenry.
    He, on the other hand, did not seem surprised to see her.
    He straightened and crossed his arms. “Officer McHenry, is
    this the fiancée?”
    The woman looked at Carlotta. “Sorry, girl. Detective Terry
    from the midtown precinct is set up to receive a text when
    Craft receives visitors.”
    “Ms. Wren and I are acquainted,” Jack said dryly.
    “Carlotta, can I have a word with you?”
    “Actually, I’m in a hurry,” she said, moving toward the
    door.
    “Actually, that wasn’t a question,” Jack said, walking up
    next to her. He grasped her elbow and ushered