Free Sweet as Pie Crimes by Anisa Claire West Page A

there for me in ways that even my own family hasn’t.  You’re a pearl of a woman.”
    “Spare me the compliments.  Just tell me what’s going on!”
    He grinned in that deliciously arrogant fashion that had attracted me to him in the first place, albeit against my will and better judgment.  My shoulders relaxed down my back and my heart rate slowed, as I sensed that whatever he had to say was actually good news.
    “Do me a favor.  Turn on that thing.” He gestured to my iPad in its smooth case. 
    Obliging him, I switched it on and logged onto the internet.  “Something you want me to search for?”
    “Yes.  Search for my name,” he prompted me, now grinning from ear to ear.
    “I already did that yesterday or the day before or whenever!  I’m so exhausted, I’m losing track of time,” I complained despairingly, wondering what kind of game he was playing with me.
    “Search again.  There should be some new information,” he said confidently, although his voice trembled just slightly with nervousness.
    I typed his name into the search engine, astonished by how many articles had been published in the past 24 hours.  The first headline I saw announced:
    Landscaper Finds Murder Weapon While Planting Rose Garden
    I clicked on the article as Marcus leaned over my shoulder, making an exultant noise as I read the article out loud.
    “ Marcus Briton may soon be a vindicated man rather than one of America’s Most Wanted after a landscaper in northern California makes shocking discovery.  Three weeks ago, the landscaper, who wishes to remain anonymous, was tending the rose garden of one of his long time clients.  During the process of digging, the landscaper unearthed a plastic bag containing a butcher knife with dried blood.  Due to the ongoing investigation, authorities are refraining from identifying the owner and address of the property where the knife was found.  The landscaper immediately brought his finding to police, who sent it to crime labs for DNA testing.  The results, which came in earlier today, show the presence of two distinct DNA profiles.  One of them belongs to murder victim Caitlyn Briton, and the other belongs to an unidentified male.  Police have now reopened the case and are turning to the public for any possible information leading to the identification and arrest of the murderer .”
    “Marcus, this is amazing! Your DNA wasn’t even on the knife!” I burst out, shocked at my own words.  Maybe I hadn’t completely trusted his innocence, just as I never totally trusted any man.
    “Of course my DNA isn’t on the knife!” Marcus said jubilantly, too excited about the discovery to take offense at my doubting comment.  “It was Benson Helling’s DNA, and my friend is going to help me prove it.”
    “You mean Dr. Townsend?” I clarified, tired of dancing around the truth.
    “Yes.  Now I can tell you for certain.  That saint of a man was the person who just called me.  At the bar just now, he snatched the glass that Helling was drinking from and drove it down to the police station.  All they have to do is test the glass and see if the DNA profile matches the one on the knife.  And I’m damn sure it will!”
    “Oh wow, I didn’t even see him grab a glass before he left!” I thought back to the blur of time from the moment Helling recognized Dr. Townsend to the flash when the physician fled the bar and grille.  In my own panic and haste to get back to Marcus, I must not have noticed Dr. Townsend grabbing the all-important item.
    Marcus gazed at me through those mesmerizing crystal blue eyes as he slowed the car to a stop.  “I can’t wait another moment to do this.  If you’ll let me…”
    “Kiss me!” I enthused, blushing at my own reaction but deep down not caring what a blatant invitation I had issued.
    “Don’t tell me twice,” he muttered, swooping in and bringing my face towards his as we joined our lips together in a kiss so magical it made me forget