Murder Between Neighbors by Michelle Corbier

Author:Michelle Corbier
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Michelle Corbier
Published: 2024-06-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Inside the police department, Todd reclined in the computer chair and stretched his legs underneath the desk. With a long sigh, he gazed up at the ceiling. He blocked out the surrounding typing, phone calls, and conversations to focus on what he had just read.

Sitting across from him, Ian glanced up. “What’s wrong?”

Though he faced Ian, Todd’s gaze drifted beyond his partner.

Snapping his finger, Ian said, “Earth to Todd. You in there?”

“Yes. I’m here.” Rubbing his eyes, Todd perused the folder again. “I’ve been reviewing the Lowrys’ finances.”

Ian tossed him a soda can. “His boss told us he would lose his job in the new year. I expect their account balances were low.”

“But he didn’t tell us how Mr. Lowry spent his income.”

Coming across the desk, Ian glanced over Todd’s shoulder, reading the documents. After a minute, Todd handed over the papers.

“Here. I hate people reading over my shoulder.”

“You hate anyone getting near you.” Ian carried the papers back to his desk and read reports. “How do things work with your girlfriend?” Ian smirked. “Or does she have a special way of touching you?”

Glancing around the room, and lowering his voice, he said, “Watch it. That’s how rumors start.” Todd drank long and deeply from the soda can. “I told you we’re friends.”

“Keep saying it and you’ll believe it.”

Todd sent Ian a heavy glare then returned to typing his notes.

How can I explain my relationship with Myaisha to Ian?

He hadn’t even expressed his feelings to her yet—not explicitly—because he believed she understood. Myaisha had a boyfriend, which didn’t bother him, but maybe...

He had learned from their discussions about her rather conservative personal habits and beliefs. Having an intelligent, independent thinker to share his ideas with had been refreshing. Myaisha listened well, without criticizing.

They discussed his work, but not simply the gory, morbid aspects. He shared ideas on capital punishment, justice reform, and recidivism. Myaisha contributed her opinions. They debated. Despite their age difference, Todd found her conversation lively and engaging.

But she was involved in an intimate relationship with Thomas. He didn’t want any misunderstanding between him and the firefighter—a contest he would certainly lose. Most people couldn’t appreciate the type of relationship he wanted. Maybe age gave Myaisha a broader perspective. She does understand how I feel about her, right?

“Well?” Ian asked, sliding the papers across their desks.

Todd caught them before they floated to the ground.

“Who is Stilwell?”

“The neighbor,” Todd said, perusing the papers.

Cutting his eyes, Ian asked, “Which one?”

Once he finished drinking, Todd said, “The one Mrs. Allen accused of having a ménage à trois with the Lowrys.”

Ian chuckled. “Oh. The lady who gave Mrs. Allen the finger.”

He nodded and saved his report on the computer. “That one. Apparently, she—or the husband—paid the Lowrys a monthly service fee.”

“For how long?”

Todd checked his notes. “I searched back one year. Could be longer.”

“Wait a minute.”

Neither spoke as Todd watched Ian shuffling pages in a notepad.

“There’s other money regularly coming into the Lowrys bank account.”

“Monthly?” Todd asked, slipping into his coat.

“Using a highlighter, Ian annotated the banking documents.

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