The Perfect Suspect by Margaret Coel

Author:Margaret Coel
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2011-08-05T04:00:00+00:00

17

The Evergreen house, an oasis hidden in the pines, and the pines singing in the wind. Quietly sumptuous, not loud and clamoring for attention like some houses where Ryan had gone on domestic disturbances, but filled with quiet antiques and art she had seen in magazines, flipping the pages, wondering if anyone actually lived like that! All tastefully furnished with Sydney’s money, she had assumed when David brought her here. She had even asked if that was the case as she sunk into the deep, soft mattress with the silky sheets, candlelight flickering over the damask walls, worry nipping at her that he might not want to risk losing such luxury. David had given her the kind of smile meant to evaporate her concerns. “I can buy and sell Sydney,” he said, crawling in beside her and taking her in his arms.

Now Sydney Mathews stood at the front door, barefoot, looking as if she had slept in the black tee shirt and knit slacks static plastered to her legs. She ran her fingers through her hair and shifted her gaze from Ryan to Martin and out to the Jefferson County sheriff ’s officers below the porch steps. “I’ve told you all I know,” she said. The smallest quiver of uncertainty split her voice, as if she knew the fate about to overtake her, and also knew there was nothing she could do. For an instant, Ryan almost pitied the woman.

“Contact my lawyer,” Sydney said.

“We have a search warrant for the house and premises.” Ryan held out the warrant signed by a Jefferson County district judge this morning after she and Martin had produced the phone records showing numerous calls between the two houses in the hours before David was murdered. The warrant specified computers, phones, financial records and a possible gun. They had also informed the judge about the couple’s public argument at campaign headquarters and separation. A slim thread of evidence to connect Sydney to the murder, Ryan knew, and she had held her breath as the judge rubbed his chin and studied the warrant. Finally he had picked up a pen and scratched his name.

“Search the house?” Sydney let out an angry scoff. “That’s ridiculous! I’m getting my brother.” She leaned into the house and yelled: “Wendell! Wendell! I need you!”

“What is it?” Ryan could see the man galloping down the stairway that ascended along the entry wall. He wore a navy blue exercise outfit, casual and rumpled with white stripes running down the sides of the pant legs.

“They say they have a search warrant,” Sydney wailed, as if the idea was inconceivable, something that occurred in the public housing projects and other places she never went. She leaned against her brother who slipped an arm around her shoulders to hold her up, Ryan thought, because otherwise, the woman looked as if she might crumble onto the polished wood floor.

“Take your search warrant and shove it,” Wendell said. “We’re calling our lawyer.” He grabbed the door and started to shut it, but Martin had already shouldered himself inside.

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.