Free Scarlet Rain (The Escaped #2) by Kristin Cast

believe what she says, but don’t believe her if you want to keep hold of your money. That woman will rattle off any bunch of nonsense if she thinks it’ll get you to write a check. She and Monica were the same in that regard,” she said matter-of-factly.
    “How well did you know Mrs. Carroll?” James asked.
    “I was cordial to her, but I’d have to say that was about it. We hadn’t really spoken ever since Tyson helped me install my video recorders.” She motioned over her shoulder to one of the many cameras.
    “And why is that?” James asked.
    “She claimed they pointed straight at her backyard. In truth, only one gets it in the picture, but it wasn’t set up that way intentionally. Her husband put them in, for crying out loud. But trying to convince Monica they weren’t directed at her was pointless. She even had Tyson put up this eyesore of a fence. Then she went so far as to send a letter to the homeowner’s association about my cameras. Said I was spying on her. Like I would want to watch any of their funny business,” she huffed.
    “What exactly are the cameras for? Your personal protection?”
    “Heavens, no. If anyone wants to steal my things, they’re welcome to them. I have the cameras so I can monitor the migration of my jays. Although I mostly pick up fat, ornery squirrels.” She let out a short, deliberate puff of air before continuing. “Everything the recorders see is immediately sent over to the computer. I tried showing the videos to Monica to prove it wasn’t about her, but she wasn’t interested.”
    “Ma’am, do you mind if I come over and take a look at the footage?”
    “Not at all. I’ll put on some coffee and meet you at the front door. You might want to give me a minute, though.”
    “Of course. Take your time.” James slipped out of the backyard through the open gate, and walked through the soft grass to the neighbor’s driveway. He lingered on the porch for a few minutes.
    “I’ll be right there, Detective!” the small voice called from inside.
    A strong floral odor rushed to greet him as she opened the door. James followed her slow, shuffling steps further into the house. His eyes watered from the biting perfume in the air, and he stifled a sneeze. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t catch your name.”
    “Oh, silly me.” She laughed and opened beautiful etched-glass doors that led into a bright, cheery sunroom. “It’s these blood pressure pills they’ve got me on. They make me all kinds of forgetful. Name’s Phyllis Ladd.” She turned and offered him her hand. “You are quite handsome when you’re not being shielded by a fence.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Ladd.” He gently shook her withered hand. “I’m sure your camera footage will assist with our investigation.”
    “Anything I can do to help. Monica may have been a handful, but that Tyson…. He was a gentleman.” She ushered him into the enclosed porch and toward the computer station in the corner of the room. “I wasn’t sure where to put this monstrosity. I’m not one who keeps up with technology and such things. Just bring me my paper and a good Regency romance, and I’m happy as a clam.” Her smile revealed straight, pearly teeth too young to match her weathered face.
    James pulled out the dining room chair stuffed under the small desk, and jiggled the mouse. The dark computer screen slowly faded, and the desktop image took its place. Six blue folders, labeled Camera One to Camera Six, rested in a column on the screen. “Do you know which camera is facing your neighbor’s backyard?”
    “That would be camera six. It was the last one Tyson installed.”
    James opened the folder and hundreds of video files popped up on screen.
    “There’s no need to worry, Detective. Everything caught on yesterday’s reel will be in the first one of those movie buttons.”
    He hovered the pointer over the first file before clicking on it. “This one?”
    She nodded. “And the cameras are motion