Time of Death

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Book: Read Time of Death for Free Online
Authors: Shirley Kennett
property deal or something. But hate him enough to kill him? I just can’t see that.”
    “Was he involved in an affair with a woman?” Anita said. “Or a man?”
    June seemed completely taken aback at the suggestion. Whether it was for the affair itself or the suggestion of a male partner, PJ couldn’t tell.
    “No, of course not. We have a very satisfying sex life. Arlan is a very physical man, proud of his body. I mentioned that to Lieutenant Wall.” She retrieved an album from one of the occasional tables. “I got the album out this morning. We have this little thing we like to do before we have sex. Like foreplay.”
    When June opened the album across her lap, PJ was treated to an upside-down view of a man’s chest, small nipples marking the sides of the eight by ten photo.
    A ragged, softball-sized chunk had been removed from his chest, directly over his heart.
    “There are matching photos. We each have a paintbrush,” June said. “And a bowl of melted chocolate.” She flipped to the next page, which revealed a photo of a woman’s breasts, nipples hardened with arousal. “Everything from the neck down. It was Arlan’s idea originally. He’s so creative.”
    “We get the idea,” PJ said. “Wall already explained it to us.”
    “Oh, so you understand.”
    Sort of.
    June thumbed through the pages rapidly. Glimpses of bared skin flashed by, as in one of those flip-the-pages books that gave the impression of movement. This one was a body tour, though. An intimate one.
    She stopped at an empty page. “Here’s where the scar picture was. Left shoulder, on his back.”
    “We’re going to have to take that album with us,” Anita said briskly, as though she confiscated pictures like this from widows every day. “You mentioned a sister earlier, your older sister May.”
    “Yes. I’m sure you’ll want to talk to her. May Simmons,” June said, and went on to give her address and phone number. Then she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “May’s a wonderful woman, and I would hate to give the wrong impression, but I have to mention that she’s jealous of Arlan and me. Oh, I don’t mean financially or anything like that. She just envied our love for each other. I’ve seen the way she looks at Arlan. Anybody can see what a handsome man he is. You noticed it right away,” she said, jabbing her finger at PJ. “Her husband Frank isn’t a dynamo in bed. She’s said so herself. May’s probably on the lookout, if you know what I mean.”
    “If May was interested in stealing away your husband,” PJ said, “why would she kill him?”
    “If she came onto him, he would’ve turned her down cold. You know that saying about a woman scorned.”
    It was the second time that day the saying had come up. One of Schultz’s hunches in action?
    “One last thing, June,” Anita said. “Did you notice any unusual behavior recently? Secretiveness, phone calls at odd times?”
    “He was being a bit secretive. But it’s just because he’s such a romantic. Today’s our wedding anniversary, and I just know he’s got a present hidden somewhere in the house.”
    Anita gathered up the album, thanked June for her time, and again expressed sympathy. She also asked if she could return shortly with the ETU, the Evidence Technician Unit, and go through the house.
    “Arlan and I don’t have anything to hide. You have my permission. I hope I can get a little sleep, though.”
    June walked them to the door and closed it firmly behind them.
    Out on the sidewalk, Anita said, “Holy shit! What do you make of that piece of work?”
    “I’ll let you know if and when I figure the piece of work out.”
    The ETU van pulled up as they were walking to their car. Anita bagged the photo album she’d confiscated, turned around, and headed for the front door again. PJ felt a little embarrassed holding the large paper bag containing the album, like she was hiding dirty pictures in a brown bag to sneak a peak at recess.
    It looked

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