Cryptic Deception: The Det. Lonnie Mae Moberly Mysteries, #3

By Adeara Allyne and Cadence Bonder

Cryptic Deception

In quiet Maybe, things are never as they seem...
 
Shots ring out in the night...
 
A phone call to police... 'I've shot my wife.'
 
But the crime is far from solved.

Detective Lonnie Moberly finds crime is as bad in rural Kentucky as it was back East, and motives are universal...

Also by Adeara 

The Det. Lonnie Mae Moberly Mysteries
In quiet Maybe, bad things happen...

Close Deception - Book 1
Obscure Deception - Book 2
Cryptic Deception - Book 3
Grim Deception - Book 4
Maybe Alone - Book 5
Maybe Forgotten - Book6
Maybe Betrayal - Book 7

A Slice of Life in Maybe, Kentucky

Driving Miss Reba

The Warfield's Landing Series

Silent Caller - Book 1
Hidden Peril - Book 2
Double Secrets - Book 3
Covert Reprisal - Book 4

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adeara Allyne
• Release date: Apr 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386203728

Book preview

1

Detective Lonnie Moberly stood in the observation room. The mirrored glass hid her from the man on the other side. His suit was expensive, his hair professionally styled and the handcuffs made a jarring contrast. He was fifty but the picture on his driver's license looked more than a decade younger. Now, Lonnie thought, he seemed every bit his age. Unlike many she'd seen in interrogation, there was no air of defiance, just an ineffable regret.

Her phone rang and the ringtone announced Detective Walt Sharp, her partner. He'd stayed at the crime scene, while she'd accompanied the self-confessed wife killer back to the Maybe Kentucky Police Department.

Has he said anything?

Not really. The patrol officer overheard him muttering about pictures and email... At the mention of email my niggle went off. Peter's on his way to collect computers and cell phones. At the moment, we're waiting for his lawyer.

Do we know who that is?

No, but I have my fingers crossed it will be Karyn Douglas.

Walt laughed and ended the call with, You just want to admire her clothes.

And your point is? She tucked her phone away. What could she say? Walt was right on the money. Karyn Douglas had spent years in New York as a high-powered attorney and she was a true fashionista. She wore power suits the way they were meant to be worn. A former fashion design major before switching to criminal justice, Lonnie appreciated the lawyer's swagger. While she wouldn't admit it to anyone, she could also imagine a daily ritual as Ms. Douglas considered her schedule, chose her suit of the day, donned the appropriate accessories...

Without a doubt, Karyn Douglas was the best dressed lawyer in the state.

Lonnie resolutely ignored the minor detail that the woman was also one of the best defense attorneys, too.

She knew better than to assume this case would be a slam dunk, in spite of the fact the husband had admitted to shooting his wife. He was sorry now... Maybe... But, in any event, after a man like Dan Elliott spent any time at all in a small cell, reality would kick in and with it his survival instincts. Her preliminary research indicated he had a lot of resources. Experience had taught her most wealthy people were entitled people, and entitled people wanted to stay that way.

All Lonnie had to do was picture his beautiful wife, sprawled on the living room floor in their McMansion, multiple gunshot wounds to her torso and a look of disappointment on her exquisite face.

No matter who his lawyer was, Lonnie knew where her duty lay. She stood for Shawna Elliott, brutally murdered by the person who was supposed to love her the most.

He'd done the right thing by calling 911, now would he continue to do the right thing?

Later, when his lawyer strode into the interrogation room, the look of relief on Dan Elliott's face told its own story.

And the lawyer? It was Karyn Douglas... her gorgeous red hair up in an elegant twist, the magnificent suit an unusual bronze color Lonnie's college roommie, Gabriella would have died for.

Lonnie knew without a doubt Dan Elliott would try anything to mitigate the results of his actions.

She straightened her shoulders and smoothed her jacket. She might not be wearing a designer suit, but the jacket was one she'd made herself and she was confident the tailoring was nearly couture, even if it was one of her early college projects.

She wouldn't get a word out of Dan Elliott, not with Karyn Douglas on the job. Now they'd have to do it the hard way.

After handling some paperwork, Lonnie grabbed a new binder, ready to start on the murder book for Shawna Elliott.

I'd tell you to go home and get some sleep but I know you're going to go see your dad, so let me start the murder book. It was Walt, back from the scene.

Everything taken care of?

Yep. The crime scene techs are still at work, Peter got all the computers and devices, and Quincy sent the body to Frankfort.

Ten minutes later, Lonnie walked in the back door of Hall C at Kendale Rehab Center. She was surprised to be greeted by Susie Roth, the mother of Lonnie's best friend through high school, Lorraine. She was also the nurse on Hall C, but normally worked days.

Lonnie, you're looking tired. Susie had mothered Lorraine and Lonnie equally, and still did...

What are you doing here working nights?

I've traded a couple of shifts to clear up my time so I can be at the Memorial Day picnic. I wouldn't miss it for the world. Is Okasan June bringing dim sum?

Of course! It's her Memorial Day tradition. You know Okasan June, she would never miss something as important as that... She takes her citizenship seriously. Okasan June was Japanese and had been the family housekeeper for many years. After Lonnie was grown, with help from the Pappas family who ran the local pizzeria, she'd opened a Chinese restaurant.

Well, Lorraine is bringing fried chicken, made with Miss Reba's recipe and I'm bringing potato salad.

Lonnie grinned, Dare I ask? Homemade or store-bought?

Susie shook her head pityingly and continued with the joke, Store-bought, repackaged in my favorite bowl, ifyoumustknow... She ran the last words together, getting a laugh from Lonnie. What are you bringing?

You need to ask? Lonnie's tone was wry. Ice cream bars, because Miss Reba won't EVER let me live that down...

How old were you?

Lonnie laughed. Five, I think... Definitely no older than six. It was before first grade.

As Lonnie turned away, Susie said, Oh, I almost forgot. Laura mentioned Star brought Miss Reba by to see your dad. I think she said this week's African Violet is pink.

Lonnie made her way down the dark hall to her dad's room, still smiling. The night shift CNA was further down the hall and Lonnie waved, indicating she didn't need anything. She entered the dark room, settled in the chair and took her father's hand.

I love you, Daddy. As always, she waited briefly. As always, there was no response. As always, she started talking anyway, telling him about her day.

Eventually, she ran down and sat in silence. Then she pulled herself together. Tomorrow would be a long one.

She kissed his cheek and repeated, Daddy, I love you. As she slid the chair back, she saw the plant on the deep windowsill. She cracked open the bathroom door and the light fell across the violet.

Its leaf spread was close to eight inches, the dark leaves framing the blooms. Pale pink flowers shaded