Tell No Lies by Allison Brennan

Author:Allison Brennan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2021-01-18T18:25:29+00:00

Chapter 25

Sunday evening

Patagonia, Arizona

ONE OF THE PLUSES of working undercover for so many years is that Kara was used to being the person she was expected to be. Even in more intimate situations, like the Molina family dinner, she could handle herself. It was all a matter of becoming your character while never forgetting that you had a job to do.

John and Clare Molina had welcomed Kara into their home. They were friendly, warm and genuine.

“How are you?” John asked Kara when Joe went to the kitchen to get her a drink. “Joe told me you were with him when he found David’s body.”

“I’m okay, thank you for asking,” she said. “It was a shock, to be honest. We’d had a lovely hike and picnic, and then...well, I’m sorry you lost a friend. I know he worked for you.”

“David was one of my managers. A friendly sort, everyone liked him. My human resources manager knows a lot about insurance and whatnot, to help his wife, Tanya, work through the paperwork. But we’ll give her a few days to grieve first.”

Clare said, “Poor girl. I don’t even think the police know what happened, do they, John?”

“Not that I’ve heard,” John said. “I was going to call the marshal in the morning, see if he had any news. I’ll be addressing the staff tomorrow. Everyone knows, but they need to hear something from me. Like I said, David was well liked.”

Joe joined them on the deck and handed Kara a cold bottle of beer. “I’m hoping all this talk hasn’t scared Kara off.”

“I’m a bit tougher than that,” she said.

“Patagonia is a great place to live,” John said, “but it’s a bit slow for young folks. I know Joe is hankering to get back to Phoenix.”

“I’m fine,” Joe said.

Kara couldn’t help but notice that Joe’s assessment of his father was all wrong. Clearly John didn’t mind if Joe left. He would miss him, she was pretty sure, but he saw that Joe wanted to leave. And Joe brushed it off.

“It’s a relaxing community,” Kara said. “I really like Greg and Daphne, but I knew coming in the job was temporary.”

“Daphne was a godsend when I was first diagnosed,” Clare said. “Joe told you I went through cancer treatment? All is good.”

“She just needs to take it easy,” John said, “which she doesn’t like to do.”

Clare smiled and waved his comment away. “I spent the last fourteen months being coddled and tired. Daphne came over near every day just to talk to me. Didn’t treat me like a fragile flower, which I appreciated.”

“Me too,” John said and took his wife’s hand. He looked out at a car coming up the long driveway. “Barry and Helen are here.” A second car was behind them. “And Shelley. Joe, get the barbecue started, would you? I’m going to get the steaks ready. You like steak, don’t you, Kara?”

He said it in a tone of You’re not one of those vegetarians, are you?

At least that’s how she took it.

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