The Pursuit of Lies (Book #4, Paradise Valley) Read Online Free PDF

into Isabel’s shoulder, and the tears she was fighting so hard to contain broke free. Isabel wrapped her arms around Emily and let her cry.
    “I’m going to go down to the police station and see what I can find out.” Ernie zipped up his jacket.
    “I’m going with you.” Emily pulled back from Isabel. She wiped the tears from her cheeks, pushed her hair back from her face, and drew in a deep calming breath. “I need to know what’s going on, too.”
    “Emily, no. Stay here with us,” Isabel pleaded. “Alex and Ernie will find out what’s happening and let us know.”
    “But—”
    “No, Em,” Isabel insisted. “As your friend, I’m telling you, you’re too close to the situation, too emotional right now. Give the guys a chance to do their jobs, then we’ll see what the next step is.”
    “But, Isabel, I need to know what this is about. Allison Laraway is dead and they seem to think Colin had something to do with it. I’ll go crazy if I can’t help sort things out in some way.”
    Ernie put his large hand gently on Emily’s delicate shoulder. “I promise, Emily, I’ll let you know as soon as I know something.”
    “But, Ernie—”
    “Emily, please,” Ernie pleaded, pulling his hand back.
    “All right, I guess I have no choice.” She raked her fingers through her curls and took another deep breath. “This has to be some kind of horrible mistake.” She glanced from Ernie to Isabel and back again. “Colin is one of the good guys.”
    “I know, I know.” He nodded. “We’ll figure it out.” He dug his keys out of his pocket. “I’d best be going.”
    Ernie said his good-byes and slipped out the door.
    The moonlight streamed in through the window. With an arm laid loosely around Emily’s shoulders, Isabel stood by her as they watched Ernie walk to his car and drive away. “I’ll send everyone home, Em. There’s no need for them to stick around now.”
    Emily nodded.
    “Although, I might have trouble getting rid of Camille and Maggie.”
    “You all went to so much trouble. I’m so sorry.” Emily’s eyes welled up again. Through the window, she gazed up at the stars. “It wasn’t supposed to turn out this way.” Her voice was eerily haunting, even to her own ears, her mind a thousand miles away.
    “Why don’t you go upstairs to the guest room and wait for me while I clear everyone out. Then we can talk, if you like.” Isabel lightly patted Emily’s back. “You’re welcome to stay here, you know.”
    “I know,” she replied softly. “I think I will, at least for the night.”
    ~*~
    Seated in one of the interrogation rooms at the Boise police station, Alex stood up as a uniformed officer brought Colin in, followed by Detective Roberts. Still wearing his black suit and white dress shirt, Colin felt uncomfortable and shaken. He couldn’t believe what he was being accused of.
    It felt like a bad nightmare. One minute he was standing next to the love of his life, about to toast their engagement, and the next minute he was being practically dragged out of the house, all-but-accused of a heinous crime against a woman with whom he only had a passing relationship.
    If anyone could help Colin out of this mess, it was Alex Martínez. He was a top criminal attorney in the Boise area and they had become good friends over the past year. Having come directly from the engagement party as well, Alex remained dressed in an expensive-looking navy blue suit that set off his thick, graying black hair.
    “Let’s all have a seat.” Detective Roberts dropped a folder hard onto the table, making a hand gesture directing Colin where to sit.
    Roberts was a tall man, mid-forties, average weight, wearing a nondescript sport coat and tie. He had a head of bushy brown hair and small brown eyes, situated close together at the top of a large, long nose.
    Alex had stayed close to Colin as the detective escorted him out of the house. Once they were away from the party guests, Roberts had formally