Read Online Mug Shot by Caroline Fardig - Free Book Online Page B

high-profile social status of the deceased, we’re not divulging any details to the family or anyone just yet. If the media gets hold of this, it’ll be a firestorm. What you saw is all confidential information.”
    Uh-oh. “Um…I kind of already told Pete…”
    Wiping a hand down his face, he said tiredly, “Send Bennett over. I’ll give him the same speech.” He wagged a finger in my face. “And no more gossiping! Now get out of here.”
    I hopped up, relieved to be done with my questioning. Pete was still sitting on the bench, nervously tapping his feet on the ground. Approaching him, I said gently, “Cromwell’s ready to talk to you.”
    Pete looked up at me and grimaced. “Does he think I did it?” he asked, his brow furrowed worriedly.
    “No!” I exclaimed, kneeling down in front of him and taking his hands. “Where did that come from?”
    “Isn’t there some crazy statistic that it’s nearly always the significant other who turns out to be the murderer?”
    “Maybe, but I’m going to tell you something a really smart guy told me one time—the evidence will speak for itself. The cops will figure out that you didn’t do it. Let them do their jobs.”
    Glancing around, he lowered his voice. “That’s the thing. My prints and DNA are all over that tent from when I set up.” He paused. “And my…DNA is going to be on Cecilia, too.”
    My eyes widened. “Huh? Pete, is there something you’re not telling me?”
    He cut his eyes away and didn’t answer me.
    Before I could get anything else out of Pete, Cromwell called, “Mr. Bennett, I need you over here now.” Pete brushed past me and headed his way, leaving me staring dumbly after him.

Chapter 6
    “Juliet! Juliet!” I looked around to find the owner of the voice calling me. Stan was waving at me from the other side of the crime tape. His demeanor didn’t seem distraught. Maybe he didn’t know yet about his sister. My heart started aching again.
    Taking a shaky breath, I walked toward Stan. He reached over the crime tape to grab me and give me a crushing hug. “Are you okay?” he asked. “Why are you on the inside of the tape?”
    I didn’t want to be the one to break the news to another of Cecilia’s loved ones, but I didn’t see any other way around it. I hugged him back, beginning hesitantly, “Thanks for worrying about me, but I’m fine. Stan…did you hear what happened?”
    “Yes, Cecilia was murdered. I can’t believe it.” I couldn’t see his face because he was still squeezing me, but from the unemotional way he spoke, he sounded unaffected. It was like he didn’t really care, or Cecilia’s death wasn’t news to him. Either way, it sent a slight chill through me.
    I stepped back from him, but reached out to take his hands. “I’m so sorry about your sister.”
    He regarded me for a moment, and then his face fell into a grimace. “Right. Yes, thank you. I’m still in shock.” He leaned in to me, lowering his voice. “Do you have any inside information? She was found in the Java Jive tent, right?”
    Having been told in no uncertain terms that the details of the crime scene weren’t to be repeated, I hedged, “Yeah, she was found in our tent.” That part wasn’t a secret, because the tent had been thoroughly wrapped in crime scene tape.
    “Was that a cop you were talking to just now?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do they have any suspects yet?”
    “I don’t know, Stan. I probably shouldn’t—”
    “Well, well, well. If it isn’t my favorite troublemaker,” drawled a familiar, grating voice. I turned to find Don Wolfe, a sleazy reporter who had mercilessly hounded me about Dave’s murder, trying to push his way in between Stan and me. Great. That was just what I needed.
    I jumped back, far out of the reach of that slimy little man. “Oh, no. You get away from me, you vulture.”
    Not one to be deterred, he replied, “I heard you found another body. Care to give me an exclusive on the murder of Cecilia