The Scent of Lies: A Paradise Valley Mystery Read Online Free PDF

a proclivity for not letting go of something until it was resolved. It had helped her immensely in her real estate business—the housing crisis had made real estate transactions increasingly more complicated and difficult, wading through the maze of short sales and looming foreclosures. Still, she felt inadequate to live up to Evan’s tenacious reputation.
    Now, the bright morning sun woke Emily from her sleep. Feeling like she hadn’t rested at all, she turned a sleepy eye to the clock on her night table. It was nine o’clock already, and she was expected at Isabel and Alex’s house in an hour. She hopped out of bed and dashed to the bathroom, surprised that she had slept in, two days in a row.
    While she stood in the shower, enjoying the comfort of the warm water cascading over her aching, sleep-deprived body, thoughts continued to swirl in her mind. Was she up to the challenge Delia had put before her? She could definitely use the money and maybe it would help her find out what happened to her husband. That would certainly be a side benefit.
    She quickly toweled off, moussed and scrunched her curls, applied a little makeup and got dressed. Happy for a casual day with no appointments, she gladly slid into her jeans and pulled on a comfortable shirt. No heels today, she chose flip-flops instead.
    Before long she was parking in front of her friends’ two-story home in one of the newer high-end neighborhoods of Paradise Valley. As beautiful as their house was, Emily still preferred her bungalow-style home down in the older, more picturesque part of town.
    As she strolled up the walkway, the front door swung open and Isabel ran out to meet her, welcoming her with a warm smile and a hug. “I’m so glad you came, Em. You sounded so serious last night, I was worried about you.” Isabel slipped her arm around Emily and guided her inside.
    “I didn’t mean to worry you. I just want to talk something through with you and Alex—you know, get another opinion.”
    “Follow me back to the kitchen, Em. I have to take the muffins out of the oven.”
    Alex was seated at the breakfast table, awash with sunlight, a large mug of coffee in his hand as he peered over his Sunday paper. He looked casual and relaxed in his polo shirt and shorts, a nice change from the business suits he wore to work as an attorney.
    Emily remembered how handsome she’d thought Alex was when Isabel had first introduced them several years back. Now, as he sat reading the paper, he was still a handsome man, in spite of putting on a few pounds and a bit of gray peppering his temples. Isabel was a lucky woman. Emily’s heart twinged at her own loss.
    “Hey, Emily,” Alex greeted as she entered.
    “Hello, Alex.” Emily flashed a quick smile before turning her attention back to Isabel. “Do you need any help?”
    “No, I have it all covered. The muffins just came out of the oven and need to cool a little. I think the frittata needs a few more minutes, and the fruit is already sliced up.”
    “It smells wonderful,” Emily said, as she watched Isabel flit about her kitchen with precision.
    “Alex already set the plates, silverware and glasses out, and I think everyone can pour their own drinks. So, as soon as the frittata is out and cools a bit, we can grab our plates and eat.” Isabel’s words took on speed as her gaze darted from the oven to the center island to the round glass-top table.
    “Okay, Isabel, just take a breath,” Emily suggested. She knew her friend was a stickler for details and timing and could easily obsess over them. Sometimes she just needed a friendly reminder to slow down.
    Isabel stopped, raised both hands in surrender, and took a couple of deep breaths. “Thank you, Emily. I needed that.”
    Alex chuckled, but kept his eyes riveted on his newspaper.
    “We have a few minutes before we eat. What did you want to talk about?” Isabel took a seat at the table.
    Alex folded his newspaper and set it down. Leaning forward in his