Read Online Fit to Kill by James Heneghan - Free Book Online Page B

off.
    Emma shivered. “He scared me.”
    â€œLikes to joke around. He’s okay.”
    â€œI don’t like him.”
    They talked about Christmas.
    â€œHow was Christmas with your cousins in Port Moody?”
    Emma smiled happily. “It was good. How was yours?”
    â€œQuiet.”
    â€œThat’s it?”
    Casey smiled. “That’s it.”
    Emma smiled back at him, saying nothing for a while. Then she said, “You’re a quiet man.”
    â€œI am?”
    â€œYes.” Emma looked directly into his eyes. “You don’t talk a lot.”
    Casey smiled at her. “Don’t have a lot to say, that’s all. Drink up and I’ll walk you home.”
    When they got outside, a bitterly cold wind was sweeping up from English Bay and bringing the rain with it. They hurried across the road and around the corner onto Pendrell.
    She didn’t ask him in.

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28
    T he thirteenth day.
    Police were everywhere. Police cars, motorbikes, uniformed men, plainclothesmen, inspectors, chief inspectors, superintendents, even the police chief himself.
    At the fitness center, Lucy Lambert wore her aerobics outfit—gray tights, midriff bare, white T-shirt. The center would be closing soon. She headed for the showers. There was only one woman there, and the room was steamy, but not so steamy that Lucy couldn’t see the lovebirds tattoo on the woman’s left buttock.
    â€œIs someone picking you up?” Lucy asked the woman after she emerged from the shower.
    â€œPick up? No.”
    She was attractive and had an accent, eastern European by the sounds of it. “I was asking because of the murders,” said Lucy. “The West End isn’t safe for walking after dark.”
    The woman smiled. “Hotel not so far.”
    â€œMy dad picks me up,” said Lucy. “We could drop you off.”
    â€œThank you, but I am okay.”
    Lucy tried again. “You know that today is the thirteenth day, don’t you? It’s dangerous out there.”
    â€œBayshore Hotel only short walk.”
    Lucy toweled and dressed. The other woman was taking her time. Before she left, Lucy said, “Are you sure you don’t want a ride? It’s no trouble.”
    The woman shook her head, smiling.
    â€œI be fine.”
    Lucy skipped down the stairs. She could see her dad’s car through the rain-spattered glass doors.
    â€œHello, sweetheart!” Alan Lambert opened the car door for his daughter.
    â€œHi, Dad.” She leaned over and kissed his rough cheek as he started the car and moved off.
    She couldn’t help thinking about the woman with the lovebirds, hoping she’d make it to her hotel all right.

    Marta PoljanÅ¡ek dressed and dropped her towel and skimpy exercise outfit into her bag. Marta liked to travel light. Happily unmarried at the age of forty-two—though looking only thirty—she traveled the world for a Prague pharmaceutical company. She had been to Vancouver several times before and preferred this local gym to the one in her hotel. Tomorrow she was due to make a presentation. The convention went to Sunday. She was looking forward to it. Especially if there were any good-looking men. When possible, Marta liked to combine business with pleasure.
    She hurried out of the West End Fitness Center and bumped into a man standing outside the door with his gym bag.
    â€œSo sorry,” she said.
    â€œNo problem,” said the man with a smile, rubbing an elbow where the edge of the door had assaulted him.
    â€œIs my fault.”
    â€œNo, no. I’m fine,” he said. “No problem. Let me walk you home. It’s dangerous for a woman alone at night.”
    She smiled. “Am okay. Is only the short walk.”
    â€œBut I insist,” he said courteously. “I have an umbrella, see?”
    â€œYou are nice gentleman.” She allowed him to fall into step beside