The Betrayal of Lies Read Online Free PDF Page B

Colin.”
    “Where’s Patrick Murphy?” Emily asked, glancing around.
    Colin tilted his head and lifted his chin in the direction of the formal living room on the other side of the expansive foyer. “Sitting in there with the Chief,” he said, referring to the Paradise Valley Chief of Police. “Seems they’ve known each other for a while.”
    “Right,” Emily said. “Full-court press.”
    “You got it.” Colin winked. He had meant it when he’d said that there was nothing that he wouldn’t do to rescue her in a similar situation.
    “Did you guys canvass the neighborhood yet?” Isabel asked. “Talk to the neighbors?”
    “We did last night.” Colin gave a slight nod. “My people came up with nothing. These homes are so far apart, no one saw or heard anything.”
    “What about Mr. Murphy’s enemies?” Isabel glanced around and lowered her voice. “Anyone have it out for him?”
    “I asked him the same thing,” Emily said.
    Isabel lifted her eyebrows at them both. “And?”
    “He’s supposed to be getting me a list today,” Colin said. “We’re on top of it.”
    “And did you check out the husband’s alibi?”
    “Of course, Isabel.” Colin felt himself becoming a bit defensive. “This isn’t my first rodeo, you know.”
    “Okay then.” Isabel pinched her lips together for a moment. “I think I’m just in the way here, so I think I’ll be going.”
    Colin knew Isabel wasn’t purposely trying to be condescending, although it still prickled him. From what Emily had shared about Isabel, he knew it was her years of being in the CIA and then the FBI that fashioned her unbridled penchant for details and thoroughness.
    Isabel put her arm around Emily’s shoulders and gave a little squeeze. “I’m headed back to my office. Call me if—”
    Before Isabel could finish her thought, Patrick Murphy’s cell phone began to ring. He grabbed it and bolted to the dining room.
    “Everybody quiet!” Colin shouted as he stepped up beside the husband. The rooms fell silent. He leaned in to Patrick. “Remember, speak slowly and keep them on the line as long as you can.”
    The tech on the tracing equipment pointed to Patrick to answer.
    On the third ring, Patrick clicked the button. “Hello, this is Patrick Murphy.” He listened to the caller. “You want how much?” His gaze shifted to Colin.
    Colin rubbed his hands together in expectation.
    “Two million dollars? In small unmarked bills.” Patrick spoke slowly, still eyeing Colin. Then he paused and listened again before replying. “It’s going to take some time to get that much money together. I don’t have that kind of cash just sitting around in a bank account. I’ll have to liquidate some assets, you know.”
    Colin leaned his ear near the phone. He overheard the voice on the phone yell at Patrick to shut up. It sounded as if the caller was using some kind of electronic device to distort his voice.
    “I want to talk to my wife, make sure she’s—” Patrick’s shoulders slumped and he drew in a shaky breath, staring at the phone in his hand. “He hung up.”
    “You did good.” Colin patted him on the back before shifting his attention to the technician. “Was it long enough?”
    “Not quite.”
    He turned back to Patrick Murphy. “Can you get that much cash together quickly?”
    Patrick shrugged. “I’m not sure, but I’ll do my best.”
    ~*~
    Within the hour, Patrick Murphy’s phone beeped that he had a text. Holding it out so Colin and Emily could see it, he clicked on the text, which had a video attached. He opened the file.
    The video showed Elise, bound to a chair in a rustic room. Her auburn hair was messy and an expression of fear moistened her eyes. Her voice was shaky as she pleaded with her husband to get the money or they would kill her.
    “Someone will call you with instructions,” a scratchy, altered voice said from off camera before the video clip ended.
    “That’s it?” Patrick snapped the phone