Page 42 (1/2)

"I know And then this , he found a dead possum in his truck Neck broken"

Em jumped a little "Shit"

"So" Levi looked at the wall "I want you to go up to his place as a security detail"

"A security detail? What a lady"

"I’m a year older than you, Levi Do you really think he’s in danger?"

"It’s our job towith it He didn’t look at her

"Chief," she said "We have three people on this police force You think a dead rodent means I should babysit Jack Holl-- Oh, , aren’t you?"

Levi sighed "Faithme"

"Still, I’ht"

"Levi--"

"That’s Chief Cooper, Officer Neal"

"Oh, don’t get official on me!" She slu is creepy"

"Yes"

"Can’t Everett do it? You kno he likes to wander around with his hand on his gun"

"Yes, and he’s going to shoot his foot off one day because of it" Levi sighed "You have to adet that look off your face and go up there and check on him Check around his property And maybe talk to his ex-wife Faith said she was a littleunstable If she deliberately sprained her ankle to get Jack’s attention--"

"So you believe me now?"

"--who’s to say she wouldn’t pick up roadkill and put it in his truck? Especially if she’sto date me, and--"

"Let’s not talk about personal lives, shall we?"

"You’re the one pi me out here, Levi"

He crinkled his brow at her Stared, patiently, slightly bored

"Fine," she said "I’ll do it"

"Thank you so verymy annual review"

"Will do" He allowed a faint smile, then waved her out of the office

EM’S FIRST STOP was the Opera House She clomped up the stairs and knocked on the door of apartht, expectant smile on her face that dropped like a lead hockey puck at the sight of Not Jack "Hello, Miss Boudreau," Em said "Mind if I coht?" she breathed, peering around the door

"Interesting you should ask Any reason he wouldn’t be?" E an eyebrow

"Uht She waited

"Well, do co a dress, a rose-colored sheath kind of thing that Eined would make her look as shapely as a pillow but on Hadley looked roht at the nape of her neck in the type of artless, casual ponytail that Eht, not-curly locks were the Houdini of hair and could only be forced into her regulation bun with a coic slime, a thick superether and seventeen bobby pins

Suppressing a sigh--she wasn’t supposed to care about this stuff anymore--she stepped into the dimly lit apartment It had come furnished, Emmaline knew, but Hadley had put her mark on it A vase of pink and purple tulips sat on the coffee table, and a soft ivory as artfully draped on the arm of the sofa Lots of throw pillows, a series of framed mirrors on the brick wall Two or three candles filled the roo Em’s throat

The whole rooiant wedding photo of Hadley and Jack sat on the bookcase, inore Em had to adht He and Hadley eous couple; it couldn’t be denied Hadley was beautiful and radiant and tiny, and JackJack looked incredibly happy

Em forced her eyes away from the photo A bottle of wine, nearly three quarters elass The cork and corkscreere over by the sink, indicating that it had been opened recently

A lot of wine for such a petite woman

"What can I do for you, Officer?" Hadley asked

"Jack found a dead possu about that?"

"Really?" Her face lit up "That’s just awful! Was he upset? Should I call him? Does he need me?"

"Did you put it there?"

"Me? No!"

"And where were you last night?"

"I was here Alone"

Jack wasn’t even pressing charges Maybe he kneas his ex and didn’t want her in trouble "Is there anyone who can confirm that?" Em asked

"Yes, as a matter of fact I talked to my sister around ten Frankie Jack’s very fond of her He loves my family Well, they’re his fao anywhere?"