Page 17 of She Gives Love a Bad Name

Without another word, he disappears, leaving me with his brother who comes inside and closes the door. My gaze falls on his missing hand, and a memory niggles at the back of my mind.

“You found me last night.”

He nods.

“I’m Quinn.” I hold out my hand.

“Claude.” He shakes it and smiles.

No, they’re definitely not twins. But most certainly brothers. His presence exudes warmth and safety. I like him already.

If I’m stuck as a prisoner, at least I won’t be completely miserable.

Chapter Seven

Grant

“What the hell happenedhere?”

“Looks like a murder.” Mickey tips back his hat and scratches his forehead.

The click and flash of the photographer’s documentation pulls my attention to the victim lying facedown on the hardwood floor.

“What do we got?”

Mickey opens his notebook. “Lionel Madison. Sixty-three. CEO and founder of Victory Mutuals.”

I listen as I circle the body, careful not to disturb any evidence.

“Family was out for the evening. Most of the staff had the night off.”

“So no one was here?”

“According to the housekeeper, there were two maids last night. Neither of them came forward with any information.”

Blood spatter covers most of the floor near the door. Some of it smudged by undiscernible shoe prints. Arterial spray, judging by the laceration on the victim’s neck. We’ll get more information after the coroner does their report, but something doesn’t sit right. I step through the door and assess the hallway.

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