Still Life: The Randi Lassiter Series, Book 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

behind Ed Gein—the Musical, which was based on a serial killer’s life. Incomprehensible!
    Of course she had no idea the restaurant did the makeover one day a week and Randi never questioned his choice. “I remember trying to hold a conversation, unaware of the screens due to first-date jitters. I’d just asked him if he liked full-contact sports… when I looked up and saw a ménage à trois on the screen.” She slapped a hand on her forehead—what had she been thinking? “The worst part was when he started comparing his sunny-side-up eggs to the porn star’s nipples!”
    Realizing that her voice had risen, Randi glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping and then leaned forward, dropping to a whisper. “What I want to know is how many first dates had that yokel taken there before that. And later he’s sitting around scratching his balls and wondering why none of those women jumped on a second date. Talk about delusional!”
    She waited for the sympathy and comfort she knew her friends would bestow—the way women support each other in friendship without judgment—when without warning, CJ slapped a palm down on the table and let out a “whoop” that turned to laughter. Trujillo started to get up. Sarah once again waved him down as she hid her own giggles behind her hand. People were starting to stare.
    “And you wonder why I don’t put you in charge of my personal life.”
    They’d gained a small measure of composure when a man in jeans and a T-shirt stopped at their booth. “You look like you’re having a good time tonight, ladies.” He leaned onto the table with beefy hands and tanned, muscled arms. Although he addressed them all, he stared openly at Randi. Or, in another manner of speaking, Gretchen.
    He wasn’t bad looking if you liked that unkempt, disheveled kind of guy. But the way he looked at her was unsettling. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise along with the creeping spread of a blush.
    Nosey bastard! This was a café for Christ’s sake, not a bar. And there had been a tragedy here tonight. She shot him a patronizing smile. “We’re sharing a private moment.”
    He didn’t move. “It’s strange you gals seem to be having such a fun time considering the circumstances. Maybe you can explain that to me.”
    What the hell was this guy’s problem? What kind of idiot would pick this particular time to hit on a woman? Just another ball-scratching egomaniac on another Sunday. And he obviously did not recognize a brush off when he heard one.
    Frustrated that she was still stuck in the diner, needing to shower and to get the hell out of the constricting uniform, this guy’s attitude had pushed her over the edge.
    She spoke in slow, carefully chosen words that he could understand. “Look Buddy, it’s really nice of you to come over here…but we are really tired. It’s been a long night and we don’t need your concern, or your charm. We’re just three friends trying to lighten the mood after a crappy evening.” She paused to make sure he was paying attention. “If you want to meet the woman who fell on a dead body then take a number. And if you were hoping to get lucky.” She made air quotes with her fingers. “Then you can take a flying leap, ’cause that’s never going to happen.”
    CJ and Sarah sat wide-eyed at her uncharacteristic outburst. Down by the door, Trujillo had gone pale. To her astonishment the stranger remained, concreted in place and staring down at her as his lips spread into a slow, lopsided, sexy smile. Unbelievable !
    “Are you hard of hearing?” There was a sudden edge to her tone. She crossed her arms, which pushed her cleavage up ever higher. “Look, Shitforbrains, do I need to call a cop? This place is swarming with them.”
    The man dug a wallet out of his back pocket and flashed her his detective badge. “You don’t say?”

Chapter Five
    Exhausted, Randi watched the exchange between Detective Bricksen and Sarah across the room as