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“She’s a recent transfer to the city. I think she comes across as entitled as heck and with a massive chip on her shoulder. My personal opinion.”

“Okay, great.”

“Ya think?” he grunted.

“Not sure yet, but I’ll speak to her.”

“Thanks, Miller, appreciate it.”

???

As Cody walked into Interrogation Room Five, she immediately found herself under the scrutiny of a pair ofgolden-brown eyes shining in a beautifully sculpted face. The woman’s skin was the color of indulgent nutty chocolate. These gorgeous eyes flashed as Cody entered. Not really with any kind of entitlement, Cody thought, but with obvious caution and weariness. Kim Reed;DoctorReed, sat with her legs crossed and her shoulders back. She was dressed as if for a court appearance in black pants, a white silk shirt under a fitted blazer, and elegant heels. Cody’s own gaze was momentarily drawn to her shapely, naked ankles. She noted the small outline of a prowling tiger tattooed in red ink on the inside of her left foot. Normally not overly keen on tattoos, it occurred to her that this one added a nice touch to the woman's overall look.

“I’m Detective Miller,” she announced, closing the door behind her.

Reed flicked a strand of curly black hair off her brow with an impatient toss of the head.

“Homicide?” she insisted.

“Special crimes,” Cody allowed. “Including but not limited to homicide, yes.”

Will that do for you?she almost added in challenge, but then thought better of it. There was no point antagonizing the lawyer before she knew the problem.

“How can I help?” she invited.

Reed blew out a breath. “I think one of my clients may have been murdered.”

“Okay.” Nice and straight, no beating about the bush. Cody pulled a notebook and pen out of her pocket. “What makes you think that?”

“We were supposed to meet at my office yesterday, but she never showed up. I can’t get her to answer the phone. I also visited her home twice today, but she was not there.”

Reed’s naturally smoky voice would probably sound great on the radio, no matter what she talked about. Not many wouldpick up on the slight hint of fear also laced in her tone, expertly subdued and subtle as it was. But Cody was trained to listen for this sort of thing, and she noticed. Like the line of tension in the set of her shoulders, it was all obvious if you paid attention. Without asking her if the woman wanted one, she went to fill a cup of water from the cooler just outside the door and set it in front of Reed.

“What’s your client’s name?”

“Cassie Lee Winters.”

“Address?”

“65 Old Pier Road, Lewiston West.”

Cody jotted it down, as well as the woman’s phone number.

“We’ll check on her,” she advised.

“Okay. Thanks. When?”

“Soon as I’m done with this conversation.”

“Right. The sooner, the better.”

“Sure. But you also know how it goes, don’t you? People miss appointments; they forget to check their messages or their phone runs out of juice. It doesn’t necessarily mean they were murdered.”

“I’m well aware, Detective. But my client was in an abusive relationship for years,” Reed stated in an icy tone.

Was,Cody noted. She sounded pretty convinced.

“Ms. Reed, I understand you’re a criminal defense lawyer,” she prompted. “What did your client hire you for?”