Love is Murder by Sandra Brown Page A

The first part, at least. He’d thrown his clothes on the floor, then gone into the bathroom and stepped into the shower, taking a long, hot one, as he always did. He figured he’d been in there at least twenty or thirty minutes, and when he finally toweled off and stepped back into the room, he found Kim lying on the mattress. Naked.
    It had taken him a moment to realize that she was dead. And when he did, he panicked. Threw his clothes back on and fled the hotel. Headed straight for the airport, planning to get out of L.A. on the next available flight. But then he realized how stupid that was. That only a guilty man would run. So he returned to the scene of the crime.
    “A lot of good it did me,” he said softly, staring at his hands. “I didn’t kill her, babe. Someone else put her body in my room. And I never called the night maid for more towels. I think whoever did is the real killer.”
    “But why, David? Who would do that?”
    He shook his head morosely. “A jealous boyfriend, maybe? The sonofabitch took the ring, too. Snatched it right off the dresser. I’m not sure if Kim was dating anyone, but maybe he was convinced we were having an affair and followed us to the hotel.”
    I felt a twinge of guilt. The idea obviously wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility. But before either of us could say anything more, the guard came over and told us our time was up.
    As they escorted David toward a doorway, he said, “You’ve gotta help me, babe. You have to find out who Kim was involved with. My attorney was supposed to try, but I think he—”
    The door slammed shut before he could finish. I sat there, wondering if I should trust my instincts and believe the man I loved. Because that much hadn’t changed. I still loved him. Fiercely. I couldn’t help myself.
    I knew David had appealed his conviction, but the chances of him winning that appeal were slim. He needed new evidence, evidence that would support his side of the story.
    The question was, where would I find it?
    Little did I know I’d had it with me all along.
    * * *
    Jealousy comes in many different forms.
    I can’t begin to understand the workings of the human heart and mind, or the lengths to which some people are willing to go to protect what they cherish or desire, or to satisfy their own egos and sense of self-worth. People kill for the most mundane reasons, and I suppose everyone has a breaking point.
    I was a late check-in at the hotel, planning to spend the night and visit David again before heading back to Boise. Despite the short stay, I made it a point—as I always did—to unpack my overnight bag before settling in.
    Or, I should say, my mother’s overnight bag.
    After I neatly folded my clothes into a dresser drawer and removed the small toiletry kit I’d brought along, I noticed something bulging slightly in an inner pocket of her bag.
    Curious, I reached in, grabbed it.
    A small square box.
    And as I pulled it out and saw what it was, a sudden chill swept through me, dread doing somersaults in my stomach. With shaky hands, I pried the lid open and stared down at a beautiful diamond engagement ring.
    The ring David had bought for me.
    And as luck or fate would have it, my cell phone bleeped at that very moment. I dug it out of my purse and answered it.
    “It’s about time you picked up,” she whined. “I can’t believe you could be so stupid. How can you let that murderous bastard get under your skin?”
    I stared down at the ring. “Don’t mother. Don’t even try. I know exactly what you did. I’ve got the evidence right here in my hand.”
    And for the first time that I can remember…
    …my mother was speechless.
    * * * * *

LOCKDOWN
    Andrea Kane
    Two occasions: a wedding and a honeymoon. They should be memorable. But Kane’s characters never bargained on this. ~SB
    It was times like this that Claire Hedgleigh hated her psychic gift.
    Her best friend was about to get married. The chapel was alight with anticipation and