Free Deadly Relations by Alexa Grace Page A

drink.
    “ Just information,” responded Blake as he showed Harry his badge. “Nicholas Connor? Do you know him?”
    “ Of course, I know him. He comes in here a lot — usually later in the evening. What do you want to know?”
    “ We just want to get a sense of who he hangs out with,” said Blake.
    “ He used to bring his girlfriend, Catherine, in here a lot. But that changed after the fight.”
    “ What fight?” asked Jennifer. They’d already learned that the two had argued a lot, but no one mentioned they did it in public.
    “ About a month and a half ago, Nicholas and Catherine were sitting in that booth over there.” Harry pointed out a booth not far from the bar. “I heard a commotion and looked over in time to see Catherine throw her drink in Nicholas’s face. They screamed at each other until I walked over and asked them to quiet down or they’d have to leave. Catherine shoved her plate of food in Nicholas’s lap, grabbed her purse and ran out of the bar. He cleaned himself up and ordered tequila shots until closing. That was the last night I saw him in here with Catherine.”
    “ Have you seen him hang out with anyone other than Catherine?”
    “ Yeah, but I’m surprised Patti didn’t tell you when you were talking to her.”
    “ Why’s that?”
    “ He spends most nights sitting at the bar chatting with Patti.”
    <><><>
     
    Nicholas Connor was finishing his fried chicken dinner at the Sugar Creek Cafe when Blake and Jennifer located him. He didn ’t say much on the ride to the station, but the scowl on his face spoke volumes.
    When they arrived at the station, Blake asked a deputy to put Nicholas in an interview room.
    “ Are we leaving the bad boy to stew about his situation?” asked Jennifer.
    “ Yup. Let’s leave him in there for thirty minutes.”
    <><><>
     
    Julie Thomas sat in Fred ’s room at Memorial Hospital. She’d been there since his heart attack in the parking lot when Catherine’s car was found. He’d had to undergo heart bypass surgery. His condition was guarded, and the doctors warned that the news of Catherine’s murder could kill him in his fragile state. So she’d waited, holding Fred’s hand and praying he’d regain his strength. Julie was so tired and worried that she felt numb.
    She closed her eyes to rest for a minute. Julie remembered how proud Fred had been when Catherine was born. He’d walked the hospital floor, carrying a box loaded with Cuban cigars that he passed out to whomever he encountered. They had been so young and happy. Fred had turned out to be a wonderful father, supporting Catherine in everything she did. Julie blinked as tears ran down her cheeks unstopped. Christ, she missed Catherine. Her little girl had grown up to be her best friend. How empty her life had become in such a short time.
    Julie’s cell phone tune sounded. She jerked it out of her purse and went into the hall, fearing the noise would wake Fred out of his peaceful slumber. Before answering, she glanced at the display and froze when she saw the name “Catherine Thomas” in black letters on the small screen. Icy fear twisted around her heart, her body trembled, as she lifted the phone to her ear. She struggled to say something but the words wouldn’t come.
    “ Bet you thought this call was from Catherine, didn’t you, Mama?” The male voice was deep and absolutely emotionless as he taunted her.
    “ Who is this? Where did you get Catherine’s cell phone?”
    “ Where do you think? Found your number in her favorites.”
    “ You bastard! Why did you hurt her?” She gasped, realizing a shiver of panic.
    “ Mama, I just wanted you to know that good girls don’t always go straight to heaven. Sometimes they get to visit hell first. I made sure of that with your Catherine.”
    The call disconnected and Julie Thomas leaned back, screaming a piercing cry that bounced off the walls in the quiet hallway, until she lost consciousness.
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    Lane stood with