The Night Is Deep (A Liam Dempsey Thriller Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

he’s running for mayor. I would add anyone who was aware of the policy to the list of suspects.” Liam drained the coffee in one swallow, then glanced between the two detectives. “If it were my case,” he added.
    Sanders squinted at him, then moved to the closest task force member, murmuring something that Liam couldn’t hear.
    “I’d have to disagree on a suspect that was aware of the insurance,” Perring said as Sanders returned.
    “Why’s that?” Liam asked.
    “Because of the door. If he’d taken his time to do his homework on the couple, I would guess the entry on that set of doors would’ve been cleaner, more calculated rather than messy. Doesn’t fit the profile.”
    Liam shrugged. “Only throwing out ideas. Do we know what Owen was hit with?”
    “Not yet. It was blunt, though. His scalp was lacerated by something dull,” Sanders said.
    “While we’re chatting, how well do you know Mrs. Farrow?” Perring asked.
    “Not well,” Liam said. “I popped in unexpectedly a few years ago and she was sitting in the living room. When Owen brought me in there she shook my hand then went upstairs, and I didn’t see her again before I left. From what I understand she has several mental disorders that keep her partially housebound.”
    “Severe agoraphobia paired with disabling panic attacks,” Perring said. “Mr. Farrow told us that she hadn’t been out of the house in over two years.”
    “You’re kidding,” Liam said. “Owen never let on it was that serious.”
    “Apparently only a few people were aware of the severity,” Perring said. “She worked from home as a freelance web content developer and hired a delivery service for groceries and household items. The nearest neighbor said that the farthest he had ever seen her from the house was down on their beach outside, and that was years ago.”
    Owen stepped into the room holding his glass, which had been refilled. His face was pale and he moved like arthritis plagued every joint in his body.
    “Anything yet?” he asked.
    “Nothing,” Sanders said. Liam moved to his friend’s side and gently took the whisky from him as Owen tried to sip from the glass.
    “What are you—” Owen started.
    “You need to be sharp right now. I’d want to drink too, but this isn’t the time,” he said in a low voice. Owen looked as if he was about to argue, then his face fell.
    “You’re right, I’m sorry.”
    Liam patted him on the shoulder and shared a glance with Perring as raised voices began to filter in through the front entry.
    “I’m her father, goddammit!”
    “Sir, I need to check with the lead detective.”
    “Get out of my way, son. Now.”
    Liam along with Perring and Sanders walked to the front door where a uniformed officer was trying to placate an older man wearing a tweed suit. The man was built like a bull, his shoulders wide and neck thick above his collar. His white hair was falling over his ruddy brow, and his hands were clenched into meaty fists.
    “Can I help you, sir?” Perring asked, stepping behind the uniformed cop.
    “You can tell me who’s in charge here, lady, and get this punk out of my way before I move him myself.”
    “I’m the lead investigator, Detective Perring. Who are you?”
    “Caulston Webb. Valerie is my daughter.”
    “Let him through,” Perring said.
    Webb pushed past the officer on the steps and stopped inside the door. He was shorter than all of them but gave off an air of superiority as thick as the smell of his cologne.
    “Well, have you arrested him yet?” Webb asked, turning his heated gaze on each of them.
    “Arrested who?” Perring asked as Owen entered the room.
    “That bastard Dickson Jenner.”
    “Caulston,” Owen said, reaching out to place a hand on the older man’s arm. “Calm down.” Webb shook his son-in-law’s touch off.
    “I’ll calm down when that black sonofabitch is in custody, not before!”
    “Mr. Webb, you’ll need to control yourself,” Sanders