Page 40 of Evidence of Deceit

“Sorry.” He didn’t look sorry, though. “Claire, I have to go to the office for a while. Why don’t you come with me?”

Claire glanced at Joe, who was standing in the doorway. The sunlight filtered through his short black hair, highlighting his dusky blue eyes, which were staring intently at her. His broad shoulders filled the space, and he looked yummy in a black T-shirt and black jeans that accented his assets. A pair of worn boots completed the outfit. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.Damn.Could he tell she was ogling him?

Joe smirked. Yeah, he knew.

“Want to go?”

Oh, yes. She would go anywhere with him but to see where he worked—double yes. “Yes. I want to see where you work, and I’d like to see Sam again.”

“Well, lazybones, go shower and get ready.” He waved his hands and shooed her out of the kitchen.

They were on their way a half hour later. Joe was quiet on the way over, giving Claire time to think about the trip she took with the mystery man, who he was and where he went.

Too soon, Joe pulled his truck into the parking lot of an old warehouse.

“Wow, this is huge.” Claire noticed about ten cars in the lot, but the two-story brick warehouse took over half a block.

“Yeah,” he said as he helped her out of the truck. “Not only is the office here, but Sam uses the upstairs as her living space. I’ll give you a tour of downstairs before I meet with her.”

He introduced Claire to Sam’s Aunt Marcia, who was the receptionist. Claire followed Joe through a maze of semi-empty cubicles. There were only a few employees at their desks, but they waved as Joe and Claire passed by.

“Joe.”

They turned toward Sam’s office. She was standing at her office door and motioned them in with her finger.

“Bring Claire in here with you.”

Claire started trembling. Sam was clearly unhappy and upset about something. What were the chances it was about Keith? Impending doom. Wasn’t that what she felt all morning long?

They walked in.

“Close the door and sit down.” Sam sat at her desk, her hands steepled. She let out a heavy sigh.

“I hate this,” she mumbled.

Joe didn’t say a word, but Claire couldn’t hold it in anymore. “It’s Keith, isn’t it? Has he made any more threats?”

Sam shook her head. “If only. No. Claire, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Keith is dead.”

Claire gasped. “De—dead?” She covered her mouth. “Oh my God.” Her stomach clenched, and she slumped forward. “Oh my God.”

Joe reached over and put his arm around her.

“What do you mean, he’s dead?” he asked.

“Joe, I mean Keith is dead.”

“How? He was always so healthy,” said Claire.

Sam rubbed her brow. She held up the front page of the newspaper. “As you can see, the police are looking for Claire.”

“Whaaat?” Claire shrieked. “For me?”

“Calm down, Claire.” Sam exhaled. “I called a friend at the station. He told me they tried to get in touch with you and couldn’t. Housekeeping found Keith’s body yesterday. After checking with the front desk, they saw that you were in the hotel and met with him. Twice.”

“Twice?” Claire shook her head. “I only saw him that one time, and that was in the lobby.”

“I know.” Sam nodded. “I know. Listen, I have my lawyer,Earle Conway, coming over. You need to talk to the police, and you need a lawyer with you.”

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