Read Online Mesozoic Murder by Christine Gentry - Free Book Online Page B

grimace.
    â€œThat’s all? You could have called.”
    â€œI wanted to tell Karen in person that she didn’t have to get through this troubling time without support from the Pangaea Society. Since Nick’s death is being investigated, there’s going to be a lot of red tape along with the burial details. I’d like to help.”
    â€œYou can rest easy, Miss Phoenix. Karen’s got me to run interference. Right, babe?”
    â€œThat’s right,” Karen responded on cue.
    â€œWell, that still leaves the question of why you asked me to come, Karen.”
    â€œOh, yes. I wondered if you’d appraise Nicky’s fossil collection for me. I want to sell it.”
    Ansel wasn’t surprised. The idea of Karen cashing in on Nick’s beloved fossil artifacts seemed vile, but what could she expect from an estranged wife? Cameron was interested in the collection. Wasn’t it better having the fossils go to someone who truly appreciated them?
    Ansel grinned. “I’d be glad to.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful.”
    â€œI don’t like this.” Alex glared at Karen.
    â€œWhy not, darling? It’s expensive getting a professional.”
    Ansel ignored Karen’s slur. “Normally you pay a licensed appraiser twenty percent of the total estimated value of the collection. I’ll evaluate it for free. It’s the least I can do for Nick.”
    â€œI don’t think we should rush into this,” Alex insisted. “The police won’t like people rifling through his things. It might be evidence.”
    Karen pouted. “That collection belongs to me. Why should I get rooked by a stranger?”
    â€œAbsolutely right,” Ansel said. “I have connections through the society, Karen. I know I can get you good prices for the specialty pieces.”
    â€œPerfect.” Karen’s face infused with color. “I’ll get the duplicate apartment key. Nicky gave me one for emergencies.”
    Ansel marveled at Karen’s transformation. The thought of getting something for nothing invigorated the woman. She also wondered about Karen possessing an apartment key. If she could access it, so could Alex.
    As Karen disappeared down the hallway, Alex glowered at Ansel with renewed ferocity. She grinned back. When this staring game became too much, he pulled a burnished silver lighter from his pants pocket. He lighted a filtered, brown cigarette with great concentration before speaking.
    â€œNick was a genuine son-of-a-bitch, you know?” His scorching stare continued.
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYeah. But I guess an even bigger bastard stamped his ticket.”
    Ansel kept her game face on. She wouldn’t give him the joy of intimidating her. “Someone like you, Alex?”
    Alex tensed, exhaling smoke through his nostrils. “You’ve got me wrong, Miss Phoenix. Dumping Nick in a hole isn’t my style. He waffled about giving Karen a divorce for months. He didn’t want her. He wanted to own her like a rock under glass. Nick needed a good bashing so he could feel what it was like to get stepped on. If I’d killed him, he’d have his damn head blown off.”
    Karen entered the room, oblivious to the exchange. She handed Ansel a piece of paper and a key. “The address. You can start right away.”
    Ansel took the items, then rose. “Let me know where the funeral is going to be.”
    â€œSure,” Karen agreed. “I think they have to wait until the autopsy is finished.”
    Ansel choked back her disgust and double-stepped it to the front door without a backward glance.
    But Karen had already lost interest. “Alex, I don’t have anything fashionable to wear to a burial service. We’d better go shopping.”
    â€œSure, babe.”
    Closing the door firmly, Ansel pushed on her sunglasses and inhaled fresh air in great lungfuls as if she could purge her soul of a black spot. Now