Photo Finished (Callie Cassidy Mysteries Book 4) by Lori Roberts Herbst

Author:Lori Roberts Herbst [Herbst, Lori Roberts]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lori Roberts Herbst
Published: 2022-09-12T16:00:00+00:00

After driving down a well-tended winding road, we arrived at the Simonson home. Bracketed by stands of large pine trees, the place was a two-story, log-and-stone construction the size of Versailles. Okay, not quite, but the place was palatial, with wrap-around balconies on both floors.

The property stretched toward the mountains, with a similar view to that of Moonglow Ranch. In fact, if you stood on the second-floor balcony and looked over the copse of trees that separated the properties, you’d just be able to glimpse Moonglow’s stable—probably a great source of frustration for the dearly departed Eleanor. On the other hand, perhaps she reveled in the everyday sight of her young stud in the corral.

We used the elaborate brass knocker and moments later the door swung open, revealing a slender woman in a tailored herringbone patterned skirt, a black silk blouse, and sensible black pumps. Fifty-something, I estimated from the light wrinkles on her forehead and subtle streaks of gray in her shoulder-length blond hair. Administrative assistant, maybe.

She arched a thin eyebrow. “May I help you?”

I cringed, realizing we’d barged over here willy-nilly, not even bothering to rehearse a story. Without hesitation, Lynn reached into her bag and pulled out a leather wallet, flipping it open to display her badge and credentials. As she held them out for inspection, she discreetly placed her fingers over the words Rock Creek Village.

“Good afternoon,” she said. “I’m Detective Lynn Clarke, and I’m here to speak to Gordon Simonson regarding his stepmother’s death.”

The woman examined the badge, her eyes flitting from Lynn to me and then to Mrs. Finney. “These are my associates,” Lynn said. “Ms. Cassidy and Mrs. Finney.”

I was glad my muddy excursion beneath the lodge had forced me to change into my black dress. The woman’s gaze skittered over me, and I surmised I’d passed muster. But Mrs. Finney, in her purple attire, gave her pause.

“And you are?” Lynn asked quickly, preempting a question.

“Ms. Clemens,” she said, folding her hands primly. “I’m Mr. Simonson’s administrative assistant. Mr. Allen Simonson, that is.” She lifted her chin, proud to be serving the big boss instead of his erstwhile son.

“Well, Ms. Clemens, we’re pressed for time, so if you could just summon Gordon for us…”

After a moment’s indecision, Ms. Clemens gave Lynn a curt nod and stood back to allow us to enter. “If you’ll wait in the Great Room, I’ll see if Mr. Simonson is available.”

“Please tell him Detective Clarke said it would be in his best interests to make himself available,” Lynn said.

Ms. Clemens walked away briskly, heels tapping as she ascended a polished wooden staircase. I grinned at Lynn. When I’d first met her, she was a detective on loan to Rock Creek Village, assigned to a murder case. Her cool demeanor had irritated me at the time, but now I found it endearing. And useful.

“Can you believe this place?” she whispered. I followed her gaze across the room. It was the size of a basketball court, with subtle and tasteful decor—a less-is-more strategy conveying a sense of wealth and refinement.

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.