Suspicions with Murder (A Rilynne Evans Mystery, Book Four) Read Online Free PDF Page B

needed.”
    Lori nodded and turned toward her. “Okay, so fill me in on everyone. Is it just the eight of you, aside from Detective Wilcome?”
    “After the Pirate Killer case was closed, almost half of the detectives were transferred out. While we still have our fair share of murders here, it’s nothing compared to the larger cities,” Rilynne explained. “Let’s see… First there’s my partner, Todd Matthews. As I’m sure you noticed today, he isn’t nearly as shy and nervous while at work as he is outside of it. I’m trying to get him come out of his shell more while out socializing, but it’s slow moving. He and his wife, Katy, have been married for eight years. They’ve put off having kids, but started trying a couple months ago. I think he feels that they’re too old, but he’ll do anything for Katy.”
    “He’s what, thirty-five?” Lori asked. “He hasn’t even started to gray. That isn’t even close to too old to have kids.”
    “Thirty-four, actually. I agree with you, though. Besides, I know he’ll make a great dad,” she stated. “After that, there’s Brent Jerkins. He’ll be your partner as soon as Skinner retires. He’s kind of the opposite of Matthews, very quiet around the office but really opens up when we go out. He and his wife had their second child last year. Then there’s Thomas LaShad. He’s the captain of our department’s boxing team.”
    Lori raised her eyebrow in amusement. “There’s a department boxing team?”
    Rilynne bobbed her head up and down. “Now LaShad is partnered with Frank Donovan. He’s the youngest member of our unit, and is currently dating Ben’s intern, Scarlett. That leaves Jeremy Steele and Ernie Tylers. They look remarkably alike, but they aren’t related. Tylers is actually dating Steele’s sister, Avery. They’re both great detectives, but enjoy goofing around. They’re kind of like the class clowns, but they are always serious when the time calls for it.”
    “Quite a group,” Lori stated. She kicked her feet up onto the small table in front of them and sank down into her chair. “I think I’ll fit in just fine. Now, tell me more about this boxing team.”
    “You like that, do you?” Rilynne laughed. “Good, because the cute guy next door happens to be on a boxing team, as well.”
    “Oh really?” she chuckled.
    Rilynne nodded with amusement at how pleased Lori seemed to be. Though she was sitting right there in front of her, it was still hard to believe her old friend was going to be living so close now. “He and Ben actually boxed last year. I didn’t see it, but I heard it was a good match.” A twinge of guilt hit her as she looked back up to the sky. She may not have been at the match, but she had seen it.
    “Well how long do you think we’re going to have to wait out here before I get a glimpse of him?” she asked.
    “With as late as it is, I hate to say that you’ll probably have to wait until tomorrow,” Rilynne grinned as she emptied the last of her glass. “I usually see him on my way to work, though. He leaves around then to take his son to school.”
    “He has a son?” she asked, but didn’t wait for an answer before continuing. “Divorced?”
    “Widower,” Rilynne responded.
    As the word left her lips, the sound of a door to the left echoed toward them. Rilynne and Lori simultaneously turned as Joe Ackerman-wearing only a pair of plaid pajama bottoms-walked out onto his front porch. He stepped around to the side of the house, then after dropping the garbage bag in his hand into the trashcan, dragged it out toward the street.
    Rilynne glanced from Joe to Lori and found her wide-eyed with her jaw hanging open. “I told you,” she said softly, returning her gaze to Joe. He placed the can on the curb and turned back toward his house, waving when he saw them watching him.
    “Usually when someone describes a man, they tend to embellish. You didn’t seem to do him justice.” The grin on her face made