Payment in Kind: A J.P. Beaumont Novel
J. A. Jance
Language: English
Pages: 384
ISBN: 0062086367
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
A riveting novel of dark secrets and murderous rage featuring Seattle detective J.P. Beaumont from the New York Times bestselling author of Betrayal of Trust
In death, they were entwined like lovers—a man and a woman hideously slaughtered, then stuffed into a closet in the Seattle School District building. But what appears a cut-and-dried crime of passion, complete with an ideal prime suspect, goes deeper than investigating detective J.P. Beaumont could ever have imagined. For an accused betrayed husband is keeping something shocking carefully hidden, a terrifying truth that’s hotter and more sordid than extramarital sex. And some secrets are more lethal than murder.
rehabilitation, Peters was now ensconced, not entirely happily, in his new job with the Media Relations Department. Unfortunately, when I called down to talk to him, Peters was closeted in that champion bureaucratic waster of time—a morning-long meeting. He was there, and so was everyone else from his unit. Did I want to leave a message? I’ve long held the revolutionary belief that if all staff meetings in the world were totally abolished overnight, not only would civilization as we know it
that to let myself in.” Detective Kramer’s jaw dropped, and so did mine. Giving the head of the teachers’ union a key to the district offices sounded downright crazy, like giving the Big Bad Wolf his own private key to the henhouse. “You mean the head of the teachers’ union has a key to the building?” Kramer demanded. “I probably shouldn’t have,” Andrea Stovall conceded, “but I do. I’ve had one for years. I still sign in and out, the way I’m supposed to. Remember, that’s how you found me, from
anything to you about her?” Max paused to consider. “Wait a minute. Now that you mention it, I think I may have met her once at a Christmas party at Pete and Marcia’s. As I recall, I didn’t like her much. Dykish females tend to rub me the wrong way.” “Dykish? She didn’t strike me that way, and I thought she was married.” “Divorced,” Max answered. “A lot of times they get married, but it’s just for show and it doesn’t last. Don’t look so surprised, J. P. It’s not like they have to go around
talking together, coming and going at the same time?” “No,” she said firmly. “Never. Why?” It was my turn to shrug, surprised that she hadn’t put two and two together on her own. “If you find two people dead in the same closet, it’s not too far-fetched to think that there might be some kind of connection between them.” During interviews, detectives are trained to watch for every nuance of expression. The twitch of an eyelid can be vital. A sudden anxiety exhibited by fluttering hands may
afternoon. I swear to God, I didn’t know you were looking for him until the paper came this morning.” “Is he armed?” I asked. “Of course he’s not armed. What kind of a fool do you think I am?” Max demanded. “Are there any weapons in the house?” Maxwell Cole thought for a moment and then said, “Well…” His hesitation told me what I needed to know. I stood up, dropping a fistful of change onto the table. “Where are you going?” Max asked. “To call for a backup. Kelsey got away from me