Free The Killing Edge by Richard; Forrest

minute.” Noah was on his feet again and shook his finger at Will. “I am advising my client not to answer any leading questions of that nature.”
    â€œSo noted. I think you had better advise him of all his rights. I’m formally charging him.”
    â€œWith what?”
    â€œMurder one.”
    â€œThat’s ridiculous! It’s manslaughter two if I ever heard it.”
    Will shook his head. “Oh, Noah. Stick to your title searching and go co-counsel on this.”
    L.C. stood at the kitchen door in a new hostess gown and looked sadly at the burnt french fries. “I should have bought frozen.”
    â€œSteak and salad will be more than enough,” Will said as he opened a bottle of wine.
    â€œYou know what I think? I think that little Sandra Devonshire did it.”
    â€œCome on, L.C. I expect better than that from a cop’s daughter. Nine times out of ten it’s either the husband or the wife. The Bridgers had a little social position, otherwise it’s the same kind of case you’d find across the river in Factory Town. He had a drink, maybe more, just out of bed with his mistress, and when he comes home she accuses him of infidelity. They fight, maybe the fight took place out doors where she still had her skates on … he kills her in a rage. And maybe not all rage. He was in financial difficulty, his wife was insured, and little Miss Muffett was waiting in the wings.”
    â€œKilling someone in a rage isn’t murder one.”
    â€œThat’s for the prosecutor to decide. If Raleigh cooperates and cops a plea, they’ll reduce it.”
    â€œI don’t understand about the clothes dryer and her being nude.”
    â€œHe had time after he killed her. I think he took that time to try and build an alibi and make the murder look like a sex crime.”
    â€œHow come Raleigh says Sandra left the motel first and she says he did.”
    â€œRaleigh’s a liar. God, how many times did he lie to me?”
    They began to eat at the small table illuminated by a flickering candle. She picked at her food while Will ate ravenously.
    He looked up apologetically. “With all the running around today, I forgot lunch.”
    â€œThe car agency wouldn’t have survived without Raleigh’s help.”
    â€œIt worked to his benefit also. You turned out to be a very good customer.”
    â€œAt the time, it was a terrific gamble on his part. I could type, keep books, but every time I walked under a grease rack in the shop I expected to see ‘Made in Japan’ stamped in big letters on the undercarriage.”
    â€œI appreciate your loyalty to Raleigh. He helped you out when you needed it and you’re very grateful. But it also turned out to be very good business on his part. You repaid him ten times over.”
    â€œI can’t imagine him killing her. Particularly in that horrible way.”
    Will put down his fork with a sigh. “Raleigh had more than one motive, he had the time and the opportunity. We can place him in the house at or near the time of the murder, and there is absolutely no evidence that anyone else was in the house. Oh, we also found a clear thumb print of his on the murder weapon.”
    â€œHow does he explain that?”
    â€œSaid he picked it up.” He sipped on his wine. “You know, L.C., this is the first murder we’ve had in Lantern City in years, and we broke it in fifteen hours.”
    â€œI’m very proud of you, Will. I know you’ve done a fine job. And it all points toward Raleigh.”
    â€œThat it does.” They ate in silence for a few minutes. “How’s the new service manager doing?”
    â€œOh, all right, I guess.”
    â€œStill remind you of Frank?”
    â€œNot so much anymore.” She laughed. “They’ve gotten up a pool as to how long he’ll last.”
    â€œI see. What do you think?”
    â€œHe’s good at his work, but