Blood is Pretty by Steven Paul Leiva

Author:Steven Paul Leiva [Leiva, Steven Paul]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense & Thrillers
Publisher: Crossroad Press

Anne turned her attention to the tall Midwesterner in the well-worn suit. “Captain. . . ?”

“In our association, ‘Captain’ is enough,” the Captain said.

“Then Captain it will be. ”

“And do forgive me if you catch me starring at you all evening. But you are a beautiful woman. ”

“Thank you, Captain. I’ll try not to let it unnerve me. ”

“And, of course, my friend Roee must have introduced himself at the entrance. ”

“Yes, he did. ”

“What would you like to drink Miss Eisley,” Roee offered, “I have an absolutely wonderful Chenin Blanc, or, of course, various imported bottled waters, both gassata and nongassta, as the Italians like to say. ”

Anne looked at each of the four men she had been invited to have dinner with. I think she knew that she was “safe” in our care, but it was also quite apparent that something out of the ordinary was soon to present itself. “No, thank you. They sound lovely, but I think Scotch—neat. ”

~*~

The dinner Roee prepared was, of course, excellent, the salmon especially, which had been caught that morning in Alaska and flown down in the afternoon.

I thought Petey would appreciate having Anne report the details of exactly how Fred Crane had reacted to Formula 12-72. She did so without embarrassment. Which was good. For it had actually been a test of her courage.

After the Captain fully understood exactly what Formula 12-72 did, he turned to Petey in amazement and said, “Petey, you are one sick puppy. ” Petey loved the designation. Then the Captain got us off the subject to pontificate against the gun lobby. He took the standard police line. Anne nodded vigorously in agreement.

Roee brought out and explained exactly how he had created the dessert, which was far too technical for me. The coffee was good. But for our second cup, I suggested that it was time to move back to the library to discuss the matter I had brought them together for.

We sat in a circle. I positioned Anne across from me and directed my comments to her. Roee and the Captain knew the basics. Petey had experience enough to trust me. It was Anne whose help was essential, and who I had no right to involve in this. It was Anne I had to convince.

“Three nights ago a young man named David Finch may have been killed by one of his best friends, another young man, Craig York. A letter opener thrust into the aortic arch above the heart was the possible cause of death. ” Anne’s eyes reacted with a slight widening. “It was an accident, the result of a heated argument. At play was desperation and ego, a dangerous combination. After Craig York left the scene, certain individuals he had, unfortunately, become involved with, mutilated Finch’s body by removing the head, arms, and legs from the trunk. Obviously, if Finch had not been killed by York’s action, this follow-up would have done the job. ”

Anne now gave a small, high-pitched gasp. “Bur, why. .

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.