Free The Devil Wore Sneakers by Nora Leduc Page B

He was carrying her suitcase, indicating she was checking out. They didn’t stop at the bus station. Where had he taken her? Matt needed a higher level to observe the whole street, but in this one-gas-station town, no one built above a third floor. Taking care of McAllister had hit top priority on his agenda. A warning would send him running.
    What was she doing with him again? All the tears she’d shed over the man, and she’d learned nothing from the way he treated her. “Lucy, Lucy, I must pray for you.”
    No, she required more than prayers to remind her how unfaithful she was being to Matt’s memory. He’d only been gone for a few months, and she’d reconnected with a worthless ex. Didn’t she realize he’d throw her away like day-old trash without a twinge of conscience? Matt knew his type. He’d counseled them. He was them.
    Where was the fairness in life?
    He paused. Why worry? He’d placed his faith in God guiding him to Lucy, and He had. Now to complete his mission.
    I’m coming for you, Lucy. I will have justice for your betrayal .

Chapter 11

    Liam waited in the lobby of the police station while Lucy went to the desk. He’d little interest in the pictures of the surrounding mountains that decorated the wall. He could step outside and see them.
    He stared out the glass entry, searching the street and sidewalk for unfamiliar faces. Matt Hastings was lurking out there. Where was the pond scum hiding?
    This morning, the lines on Lucy’s face had deepened at the mention of his name. The dirtbag had hurt her. The urge to leave and hunt the guy down rubbed against his patience.
    “Sullivan will meet with us now,” Lucy said, interrupting his thoughts.
    He nodded, and they followed the uniformed clerk to the chief’s office. At the rap on the door, Sullivan shouted for them to enter.
    Steam heat hissed in the crammed, windowless room, and an overhead fluorescent bulb burned in place of natural light.
    “Miss Watson, please sit.” Behind his desk, Sullivan rose and gestured at a chair in front of him. “McAllister.” His tone hardened. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
    “I invited him.” Lucy’s voice was firm and final as she perched on the edge of her seat. “Grab a fold-up by the cabinet, McAllister.”
    “I’m set.”
    Sullivan twisted his lips in annoyance.
    “Chief.” Lucy crossed and recrossed her legs with impatience. “Any news on the image taken at my brother’s funeral?”
    “We’re still working on who took the picture. In these days of camera phones, a person can keep out of sight and snap a photo.”
    “But what’s happening with the search for the red sports car? I’m sure the driver is the person we’re looking for.”
    “We’ll find the car.” Sullivan folded his hands and tapped his thumbs together. “We’ll track the color and model. Now, you wanted the results of the ballistics report.”
    “Did the lab narrow the list of suspects?” Liam asked.
    “Sit, McAllister, and we’ll discuss it.” The chief pulled a file from the bottom of the stack of folders.
    “I’ll stand.” Liam leaned against the wall behind Lucy with his arms crossed over his chest and fixed his gaze on Sullivan.
    A shadow of irritation crossed the chief’s face. He picked up a paper. “The bullet recovered at your brother’s crime scene came from a .38 Special. Unfortunately, if we surveyed the town, tons of people would fess up to owning one.”
    “The report doesn’t help us.” Lucy sank back against the chair.
    The chief tossed the sheet on his desk. “Every piece narrows the search.”
    “Which of the suspects own a .38 Special?” Sullivan was as useful as a bottle of diet water. Liam couldn’t stand much more.
    “The police do the investigating, McAllister. I take it you don’t own one?”
    “Sorry to ruin your hopes, but I don’t own a firearm. Draw a red line through my name.”
    Lucy widened her eyes at him, signaling him to stop baiting the chief. She turned