Killer Charms by Marianne Stillings

Author:Marianne Stillings
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780061982736
Publisher: HarperCollins

Though the downtown parking garage was nearly full, Andie finally found a spot on the fourth tier. Locking her car, she checked her watch, hurried to the elevator, and pressed the button. She heard the gears engage, and a minute later, the door slowly slid open. Entering the small compartment, she went to press the button to take her down, when a man’s form appeared in the doorway. Quickly, he stepped inside and faced her, blocking her exit. The door rattled closed.

He widened his stance, clasping his hands in front of him. The navy blue suit he wore was exquisitely tailored. He looked polished and professional. With a slight grin, he said, “Made any progress yet, Inspector?”

Commander Bostwick. The elevator began its noisy descent. She was alone in a small compartment with a man she had once admired and now loathed, even feared. A man she thoroughly distrusted.

Suddenly she wished with all her heart and soul that she’d worn that damn wire.

“Sir,” she said, meeting his gaze head-on. “What in the hell are you doing here?”

His grin widened, but in no way could be construed as friendly. “Right to the point, eh, Inspector? Well, I was just checking up on my favorite lady cop.” His smile vanished; his eyes gleamed with malice. “I asked you if you’d made any progress.”

“Some. Nothing much to report yet, though. I’m meeting Sinclair in a few minutes.”

The elevator settled to the street level, and the door ambled open. Without taking his eyes from her, he reached behind him and pressed a button. The door closed again, and the elevator began to rise. So they weren’t done yet.

“What floor did I press?” he said, clasping his hands in front of him once more.

“Six.”

He nodded as though satisfied. “Good. That’s probably all the time we need. I understand there’s been an unexpected…complication.”

Behind her, the wood paneling felt too hard, too cold, like the inside of a cheap coffin. The fluorescent light overhead was harsh, distorting Bostwick’s features. For the first time in her life, she felt claustrophobic.

“A woman’s been murdered,” she said. “And you consider that a little complication?”

“I do. Sinclair’s responsible, of course.”

She swallowed. “I doubt that.”

He looked surprised. “Defending him, Inspector? Has he charmed the pants off you, too?”

Ignoring his innuendo, she said, “There’s no evidence to indicate he had anything to do with the Mochrie woman’s death. My understanding is, the coroner hasn’t even—”

“Evidence can be misleading,” he interrupted. “It can be conclusive or it can be vague. You already know how I feel about evidence, don’t you, Inspector?”

“You want it whether it exists or not.”

His mouth descended into a bitter-looking scowl. “No time to get flip, Andie. I have to say, I’m displeased with your progress. I expected more expeditiousness from someone with your…ambitions.”

The elevator stopped, and the door opened. Behind Bostwick, three people stood, but when they attempted to enter the elevator, the commander waved them off and pressed the button for the ground floor. As the door closed, Andie heard angry yelps of protest, but Bostwick seemed oblivious.

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