Death on Demand 3 - Something Wicked by Carolyn Hart

Author:Carolyn Hart [Marisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-02-02T05:00:00+00:00

"I rather think you are," Max observed with a distinct lack of interest. "You bore me."

Posey's face twitched with anger and vindictiveness. "You'd better listen, Mr. Darling. You think you can get away with murder because you're a rich man. You're used to having your way, everybody kowtowing to you. Well, I can tell you that Brice Posey doesn't kowtow." His eyes glittered. "Oh, yes, you have the strongest motive of all. You didn't want to lose Miss Laurance, did you? You made sure she couldn't belong to Shane Petree. You murdered him— and I'm going to see that you pay with your life."

"Are you arresting me?" Max inquired, without a quiver of concern.

The prosecutor's jaw bunched. "Not quite yet, Mr. Darling."

"Wait a minute. Wait a minute." Annie turned furiously toward Chief Saulter. "Can't you tell this—this idiot—anything? My God, Shane Petree's the last man in the world I would ever have been interested in.

Max thought the whole thing was funny! He knows I'm not interested in anybody else—and certainly not Shane. Chief, can't you tell him?"

Posey shot a look of clear dislike at Saulter. "A good investigating officer never lets personal friendship interfere with duty."

Annie felt a chill. She could almost smell Posey's blood lust. Dizzily, she pressed her fingers against her throbbing temples. Max didn't shoot anyone— couldn't shoot anyone. . . .

"Can't you test for gunpowder residue?" she demanded. Scientific detection, a la Dr. Thorndyke, that was the ticket. "That will clear Max. A paraffin test. That will do it."

Posey's mouth curved disdainfully. "That's no longer done, Miss Laurance. It was not a reliable test. The modern police department—and certainly we pride ourselves upon our knowledge of and use of the most innovative techniques— relies upon neutron activation analysis, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, or scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray analysis." He didn't stumble once. She wondered how he'd do with a pint of pickled peppers. "Unfortunately, in the instant case, we are too late. Many, many hours too late. As any skilled ballistics expert can attest, gunshot residue remains on the hands for up to six hours

118 CAROLYNG.HART

unless, of course, a suspect has the opportunity to remove any detritus with the application of soap and water. In our present situation, there was more than enough time for the murderer to remove all traces of his insidious act. If careful procedure had been followed in the extant case, we might have flushed our murderer immediately." His protuberant eyes focused on Max again. "But / am now on the case, and I will discover the truth—wherever it leads!"

He swung around, chest out, and strode to the door. Saulter followed reluctantly. The chief flashed a look of sheer disgust over his shoulder.

Annie whirled toward Max, her eyes bright with alarm, her chin jutting out with determination. "Max, that odious circuit-whatever is lusting for your scalp. And you just egged him on!"

"I did, didn't I?" he agreed cheerfully. "Let him lust. The fat man doesn't scare me. Did you see him duck behind Saulter?" He chuckled.

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