Murder Faux Paws by T. C. LoTempio

Author:T. C. LoTempio
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: Beyond the Page
Published: 2022-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

• • •

I programmed Frey’s address into my Garmin and within fifteen minutes pulled up in front of a two-story brick building near the center of town. A large sign on the side of the building read Frey, Costa and Bullnick, Esq. I hurried inside and was ushered into Hal’s office by an auburn-haired receptionist. “I’m sorry,” he said, after motioning me to sit down. “Judge Atkins is usually very cooperative in these matters, but apparently they have an eyewitness who took a photo with his phone of the car as it sped off. It was Ruby’s license plate, all right, and you can make out a blonde head in the driver’s seat.”

“Oh, for goodness sake,” I sputtered. “If she’s being set up, whoever drove that car could have worn a wig.”

“I agree. I argued the setup angle, but Judge Atkins also took into consideration the fact that Ruby does have a prior arrest record. Granted, it’s from twenty years ago, and the crimes were all misdemeanors, but I couldn’t budge him. In light of that, plus all the evidence, circumstantial or not, he felt justified in denying bail.”

“Someone got to him.” I heard Detective Anderson’s voice in my head and said, “Do you think the police could be behind this?”

“What do you mean?”

I tugged at a curl. “Maybe the police don’t really think Ruby’s guilty of murder, but they might think charging her with it and sticking her behind bars is the only way to keep her safe.”

Hal’s eyebrows lifted. “They’re not acting like they believe she was set up, trust me.” He shoved some law books over to the side of his desk. “Anyway, this isn’t over. I know a few more judges. I’ll keep trying to get her out, but I can’t make any promises.”

“Thanks.”

I returned to the SUV and Nick, who’d been lying head on paws, looked up groggily as I slid behind the wheel. “Have a nice nap while I’ve been doing all the legwork?” I tossed my tote onto the floor. The bag tilted to one side and I could see the edge of Nick’s purloined envelope peeping over the edge.

“Oh, what the hell. Why wait?” I said, and reached for it. Nick stretched and moved closer as I slit the flap with my nail and slid out the contents. Another photograph. I stared at it, turning it over in my hand. The photo showed what appeared to be a melted hunk of metal. There was a brass tag on it, with a string of numbers way too small for me to make out. I’d have to put it under my magnifying glass when I got home.

I stared at the photo, and then at Nick. He was peering at it closely, his eyes slits. I tapped it with my nail. “What do you think, Nick? What in blazes is this supposed to be?”

He made a morphing sound that probably meant What are you asking me for? I’m a cat. I was disappointed. I’d hoped

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