A Purse to Die For by Melodie Campbell, Cynthia St-Pierre Page A

plans of his own. Besides, he liked to plant a few wild seeds and watch them grow. Let the police find out who the mystery dame was—that was their job. Ian would guard his own thoughts, which were both puzzling and disturbing. For Ian had seen someone who shouldn ' t be there. Rather, someone who surprised him; a person who had no reason to be in town at this time. He frowned, wondering what to do about it. At last, he pulled the cellphone from his pocket. The number was there in his speed dial. He stared at it, and then called.
     
    Gina looked up from her cellphone. She felt like she ' d been hit by a truck.
    " What is it? " Tony asked . They were drinking takeout coffees, walking home.
    " That was Becki. Carla is in hospital. She ' s been beaten badly. "
    Tony cursed. " Let ' s go, " he said. He looked on high alert.
    " I can ' t. I have to get home for Nellie. Becki asked me to just now. Nellie is at a friend ' s. Someone has to stay until she gets home. " Gina ' s voice was breaking. " You go. "
    He shook his head. " I ' m not leaving you and Nellie. Not now. "
    They walked quicker. " The killer is close, isn ' t he? " She shivered.
    Tony ' s look was dark. " Yes, but I don ' t know if the killer did this to Carla. "
    " You think it ' s two separate people? " That was too horrible. Gina could hardly bear the thought—two dangerous people running lose.
    " I just said I don ' t know. But the killer is close, so I ' m not taking any chances. "
    Gina wondered what he meant by not taking any chances. He looked deep in thought, a million miles away. What was he planning to do?
    She decided to take the plunge. " Tony, do you have a gun with you? "
    He looked up, startled. " Why on earth would you ask that? "
    Evasion. That was no answer. He did have a gun, then. She forced herself to tread deeper into the water.
    " It was something Rob said by mistake. A little slip…something he thought I would already know. He looked red and back-peddled immediately. " Gina watched Tony closely. His face had com pletely shut down. " Look, I don ' t know what you ' re doing or what you ' re into, but if it has something to do with this murder, you ' ve got to tell me. "
    Tony snapped back to the present. " It has nothing to do with this murder. "
    " You ' re sure? " She didn ' t know whether to believe him.
    " Positive. "
    " Does Rob know this? "
    " Yes. He asked the same thing. "
    Gina felt herself exhale. " So are you going to tell me what the gun is all about? "
    A pause. They were nearly at the house.
    " No. " His voice was low.
    Gina ' s feet wouldn ' t move. She couldn ' t feel the ground. She felt as if the world had suddenly lost all gravity and her body was up there floating, spinning around in space.
    This is what betrayal is like. This is what it feels like to have the one man you trust turn into a stranger.
    It took her a full minute to talk.
    " Well, I guess that ' s it then, " she said. She ran up the steps to the house and didn ' t look back.
     
    Tony stood on the sidewalk looking after her. Damn Dumont. Damn him to hell. He knew the score. He knew the deal on secrecy. Why the hell would he think Gina could know?
    Unless Rob did it on purpose. Unless the son-of-a-bitch wanted Gina himself and knew that this was a way to split them up before they even got started. Tony felt anger twist in him. Giving away cover was a serious offence. He could have Rob ' s badge for this. Tony vaulted up the steps to the house and flung open the door, slamming it against the porch wall.
     

 
     
    Chapter 17
     
    Nellie knew right after Mr. Spenser pulled up to the curb in front of her house that something was wrong because normally she let herself in and Mom would be waiting in the living room or the kitchen. But tonight, before she finished thanking Mr. Spenser, Cousin Gina stepped out onto the porch. And even though Gina waved, she looked worried.
    Gina came to her and hugged her tightly. " Let ' s go in. " To Abigail ' s dad, she said, "