Free Almost Forever by Kathy Clark Page A

I’ll call my attorney first thing. She’ll be able to handle them. But…won’t that make me look guilty?” Lori knew she was a suspect, but she didn’t want to do anything that would cause extra attention. She hoped that by cooperating, she would help solve the case before it came down to her being hauled away in handcuffs in front of Mackenzie.
    Justin shrugged. “It might, but it would be a smart move. He was silent for a moment, and Lori waited, knowing there would be more. “When did you hire her?” he inquired casually.
    She sighed, wishing they could have a conversation for longer than five minutes without the interrogation. But then, maybe that’s all that was holding them together. The silly schoolgirl tingles she felt around him could just be because he was a virile male and not because there was any kind of genuine attraction. “When Mark disappeared, someone told me that I should get my own attorney…so I did. I needed someone to look after my best interests in the divorce,” Lori answered, suddenly feeling very tired. “Casey’s been with me for eight years now.”
    “Casey Willows? She’s sharp. Maybe she knows the name of a good PR person. Ask her about that.”
    “I’ll do that.” Lori frowned. “Casey has been trying to get me to file a petition with the court for a declaration of death.”
    Justin’s expression didn’t change, but Lori could tell he was watching her closely as he asked, “Why didn’t you?”
    Lori lifted her chin and stared into his eyes. “Because I thought he was alive and well, enjoying his new life without the responsibility of a wife and daughter and winery.”
    His eyes softened. “I’m sorry. I know you’ve been through a lot. I believe you, and I want to help. But my job is to gather all the facts so we can find out who killed Mark.”
    She continued to meet his gaze. Unless he was a really good liar, she bought his story. “So tell me, why are the Texas Rangers handling Mark’s…murder?”
    “Two reasons. First, it’s an eight-year-old open case. There is no statute of limitations on murder. Second, the county doesn’t have the resources to handle a complicated case like this. Why do you ask?”
    “Just wondering why the sheriff isn’t involved.”
    “He’s involved; he’s just not taking the lead. I’ll spend time with him, your neighbors, your staff…and you until we find whoever did this.”
    “Good. Although Mark probably deserved it.”
    “I’ve never had the spouse of a victim say that before.”
    She rubbed her hand across her forehead. “It’s been such a long haul since he went missing, and now there’s closure. Well, sort of. I really do hope you catch whoever did this.”
    “I should go.” He headed toward the front door and took his hat off the rack. “I’ll call and set up another time to come back out and interview you and your staff formally. I’ll get a better idea from the ME probably tomorrow, then I’ll let you know when they can release the remains.”
    She flinched. “I’ll start the arrangements for the funeral. I expect you’ll want to come. Who knows who will show up.”
    “The odds are the killer will be there.” He put his hat on, tipped his head, and smiled. “Good night, Mrs. Roberts.”
    “I thought we were past that.” Lori was disappointed that after the comfortable, casual evening, they had fallen back to formalities.
    He opened the door and stepped out but turned back toward her. “Lori.” His lips lifted into a charmingly crooked grin.

Chapter 7
    Walking into the medical examiner’s autopsy lab always gave Justin the creeps. Several times a year his caseload involved a murder, but there was something very different about looking at a body on the street, fully clothed and in a pool of blood, as compared to a naked body, exposed and discolored under the glaring lights.
    He never got used to it.
    There were three small glass-enclosed rooms, each with its own cold, stainless-steel table in