Free Wish of the Heart by Malia Mallory Page B

desire to hit Rose grew within her. “It wasn’t your fault? How can you say that?”
    “You don’t think I feel bad about what happened? I do.” Rose pouted her lips. “After all, it’s caused me no end of inconvenience.”
    “You’re crazy.” Macie calmed herself. Anger wasn’t what she needed to get herself out of this.
    “That isn’t a very nice thing to say.” Rose’s eyes bulged and she took a step toward Macie.
    Macie stumbled back, almost tripping on a stray brick. “What would you call it?”
    “I was so careful. So clever. I really never thought anyone would find out.” Rose’s eyes glazed over.
    “You weren’t nearly as clever as you thought.” Macie searched the floor for anything that would help her—a pipe, a piece of board.
    Rose shrugged. “Apparently not. However, all that really matters is that people stop asking questions. I needed the money. You have to understand that.”
    “You took a life over money?” Karen’s life had been priceless.
    “It’s not that simple,” Rose explained, as if it were possible to convince Macie she was in the right.
    “It’s exactly that simple. You’re a murderer.” Macie located nothing of use on the floor—broken bricks and rubbish didn’t seem much use against a gun.
    Rose shook her head. Her eyes narrowed. “I really wish you wouldn’t use that word. I don’t like that word.” She took another threatening step toward Macie.
    “That’s all you have to say? You don’t like the word murderer?” Macie kicked a piece of brick toward Rose. It was only a small rebellion compared to what she wanted to do.
    Rose took the gun from her pocket and examined it. “Don’t use that word.” She aimed at Macie, then lowered the gun with a smile. “We’re getting off track here. What I want to know is what you found.”
    “Why? So you can try to cover your tracks?” Macie knew she needed to stop goading Rose, but she couldn’t seem to control herself.
    “Precisely. See, I knew you were as clever as your sister. Unfortunately, cleverness can be bad for your health.” Rose smiled around clenched teeth.
    Macie held back the tirade she wanted to unleash on Rose.
    “I’m going to ask you again,” Rose said firmly. “What was on the computer?”
    Macie considered before answering. It really made no difference if Rose knew. “Files. Spreadsheets. They show someone embezzled funds.”
    “I prefer the term redirecting,” Rose cackled.
    “Do you think I care what you prefer?” Macie’s anger slipped out.
    “Now, don’t get snippy with me. After all, I’m holding your life in my hands.” Rose tapped the gun barrel with her finger. “Where’s the computer now?”
    “With the police, of course,” Macie responded.
    “If you were going to give it to the police, you would’ve done it right away. You wouldn’t have waited.” There was a suggestion of unease in Rose’s statement. She wasn’t confident.
    Macie shrugged. “You’re wrong. Why do you think they questioned Jerry?”
    “They can’t prove anything. There isn’t enough evidence,” Rose snarled. “I didn’t leave evidence.”
    “There’s always evidence,” Macie retorted.
    Rose lifted the gun toward Macie. “Tell me where the computer is. Now.”
    Macie did some quick thinking. “Okay, you’re right. The computer’s at Rylan’s apartment.”
    “No, it isn’t. I searched his apartment. He really ought to dust a little more.” Rose’s hand twitched around the gun.
    Macie flinched. “It’s in the chest in the closet.”
    Rose shook her head. “I looked there.”
    “It has a false bottom.” Macie gambled that Rose hadn’t noticed that.
    Rose cocked her head. “Is that so? Well, that explains a lot. I almost thought about setting the place on fire, but you know, too many fires would seem suspicious.” Rose laughed.
    “You set my car on fire?” Macie’s muscles quivered with the desire to run.
    “I tried to warn you. More than once. It didn’t seem