Free The Scent of Lies: A Paradise Valley Mystery by Debra Burroughs Page B

investigator,” Emily explained through gritted teeth. “What exactly did you girls tell him about me?”
    “We told him you were a Realtor,” Isabel began, “we weren’t sure how the PI thing was going to work out for you.”
    “But we also told him you were pretty and sweet and lots of fun,” Camille added.
    “Hmmm. I’m not sure this is going to go anywhere, girls. Sounds like he’d prefer his women helpless and in need of a big strong man.”
    “That’s not fair. You’ve hardly given him a chance,” Isabel scolded.
    Emily’s phone began to ring and she dug it out of her purse where she left it on the kitchen counter. “It’s Delia. I’d better take this.”
    “Hello,” she answered as she walked out on the patio.
    “Oh, Emily. I’m so glad you picked up.” Delia sounded distraught. “I left you a message earlier, but I hadn’t heard back from you. And now this?”
    “What’s wrong, Delia?”
    “Ricardo is dead!”
    “What?” Emily shouted. Camille and Isabel’s heads turned to the patio at her loud voice. “Tell me what happened.”
    “I don’t know. I went upstairs to take a bath and when I came down he was lying on the floor in the living room with blood all over his shirt and a knife sticking out of his stomach.”
    “Did you call the police?”
    “Yes, I had my housekeeper call them. I was too much in shock.”
    “Are they there yet?”
    “No, not yet. Can you come over? I could really use someone to help me through this.”  
    “Don’t you have any family or close friends you’d rather have there?”
    “Emily, I don’t have any family nearby and as for close friends, well, I haven’t had time for them in years. My work has been my life.”
    “Well, when you put it that way…” Emily started to say.
    “And I’m sure the police are going to try to blame this on me,” Delia went on.
    “Why do you say that?”
    “I was so shocked, I wasn’t thinking straight. I pulled the knife out and Marcela came in and saw me with it in my hand. Oh, my gosh, what was I thinking?”
    “Calm down, I’ll be right over. Do you have a lawyer you can call?”
    “I have a couple of attorneys that help me with business matters.”
    “No, you need a different kind of attorney.”
    “I assumed so, but I don’t know any.” Delia’s voice was wobbling with distress.
    “I’m at a friend’s house right now. Her husband is a top defense attorney in the area. Do you want me to ask him to come too?
    “Yes, please,” she pleaded.
    “We’ll be there soon. Don’t say anything—we’ll figure this thing out.”
    Emily stepped inside and explained to Isabel she had to leave—there was an emergency.
    “I don’t understand. What’s happening?” Isabel asked.
    “Sorry, I can’t tell you right now, but I have to talk to Alex in private. Could you ask him to meet me on the patio right away?”
    “Sure,” Isabel said. “Hey, Alex,” she called as she approached the dining room.
    Alex came out to the patio and Emily explained the situation to him. He agreed to go to Delia’s home with her. While he ran upstairs to change out of his shorts and flip-flops and put on something more appropriate, Emily went to the dining room to make her apologies and say her good-byes.
    * * *
    Colin looked up from his plate as Maggie came breezing through the doorway, flashing a broad smile at the crowd already eating at the formal dining table.
    “Hey, y’all. So sorry I’m late,” Maggie announced. She gave Emily a hug and greeted a few more people around the table. “I better go grab a plate before all the food’s gone. I’ll be right back, Em, then we can chat.”
    “Sorry, Maggie, but I have to go. I have an emergency.” Emily leaned in and whispered into her ear, Maggie nodded and walked away.
    “A real estate emergency?” Colin asked. Emily frowned at him and she was gone out the front door with Alex. “Sorry, did I say something wrong?” he called after her.
    Maggie had piled salad