Free Lie Catchers by Rolynn Anderson

sure, but we think Mallen and Everett had something going. Mother and I talked about it before you came. We decided you needed to know.”
    Parker closed his eyes at the thought of one more person entangled with Everett Olson.
    “Sorry,” Liv said, wincing at Ivor.
    “She’s not involved,” growled her brother, the intensity of his words drawing raised eyebrows from Liv and Harriet. “God dammit, why am I the last person to know about this kind of shit?” He cleared his throat, buying time to steady himself. Addressing Parker, he said, “What I mean is Mallen isn’t the kind of woman to go for a hound like Ev. She’s older and a hell of a lot smarter than that turd.”
    The group sat quietly for awhile, registering Ivor’s words.
    “Sorry,” Liv repeated to Parker, seeming to speak for her family.
    “Me, too,” he said meeting her eyes. “Me, too.”

Chapter Five
    Parker walked through a steady drizzle to Lito’s Landing, unsettled by the notion his need to see Liv was more powerful than his wish to remain objective about his list of suspects. Even his father had seen right through his purpose when Parker invited him to go out for a beer. Chet consulted his watch and smiled, “At 10:00, my bedtime, you propose we go drinking?”
    Parker had ducked his head, feeling like a juvenile, caught in a lie by his father. “I’m a little antsy, Dad. Or I ate too much at the Hanson’s.”
    “Or something. Or someone.” His dad raised an eyebrow. “DJ tonight, hmm? You know I hate loud music, so you go ahead.”
    By the time he reached Lito’s Landing, Parker vowed he’d have one beer at the bar with his back to the dancers and the DJ platform. If Liv came over to say hello, he’d talk to her. Otherwise, he’d avoid Barber and Liv altogether and spend the time thinking over the case.
    The Rolling Stones complained loudly about not getting satisfaction even before Parker opened the door of the saloon. Inside, dancers clapped to the beat of the music. No sign of Liv or Barber.
    At the bar, he ordered a beer and asked the bartender if Barber was around.
    “Think he’s in the office with Liv.”
    He’d emptied the bottle before he turned to watch the dancers. Still no Liv, shining among the bouncing bodies. No Barber. Damn it. He gestured the bartender to give him another beer, and took it with him on his search.
    When he got closer to the dancers, he recognized Tilly in a clutch with a man he couldn’t identify. Tilly waved to him and pointed in the direction of Barber’s office, so Parker headed that way.
    The door to the man’s office was ajar; Parker pushed it open slowly.
    Barber stood at the front of his desk with his back to Parker. All Parker could see of Liv, sitting on the desk, were her bare legs, straddling the man’s torso. Parker gripped the beer bottle, visualizing himself cold-cocking Barber with it. It’s none of my business. Leave. He turned around, prepared to go quietly out the door, but he couldn’t make himself move further. Not until he saw Liv’s face.
    Parker pivoted and advanced one step into the room and ever so slightly angled his head so he could see her expression. The first thing he noticed was her posture: back straight, not arched for passion. Her eyes rounded when she made eye contact with him, her expression changing from panic to embarrassment, to relief. So he took his cue from her and said loudly, “Sorry to interrupt, but the door was open.”
    Barber whirled around, startled. “Christ, when the hell are you going to leave us alone?”
    With a glance at the front of Barber’s jeans, Parker suppressed a sigh of relief. Zipper up. “I’m the pesky detective. Always nosing around.”
    “Jesus, bloody hell. Can’t you see we’re—?”
    “We’re not,” Liv said as she pushed Barber away, hopped off the desk, straightened her blouse, grabbed her jacket, and moved to Parker’s side. “Are you looking for a dance partner or a debrief of the dinner at my