Page 25 of Wild Wolf

“What kind of secrets?”

Sutton smirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“That’s why I asked,” I said dryly.

“Now, why would I give you all this juicy gossip? What’s in it for me?” she asked in the most innocent voice she could muster.

“I guess we should keep focusing our investigation on you.”

Sutton frowned. "Well, it's not too hard to figure out if you know where to look. Do an Internet search for the name Lexi Luscious. I think you might be surprised by what you find. Blair Bishop would do anything to keep that secret hidden, especially from her fiancé. He's rich and handsome. She needs a man like that to keep her in the lifestyle to which she's accustomed. Would be terrible for her if he had a change of heart.”

I had a good suspicion about what I would find. "What kind of dirt did she have on Elise Mercer?”

Sutton hesitated a moment. "It's pretty common knowledge that Elise has a coke habit. But what's not so common knowledge is the fact that she's cheating on her husband with his brother.”

"That could certainly disrupt a marriage.”

"I'd say.”

"If you're privy to all this information, why aren't you using it to your advantage?”

She feigned offense. “Because I'm a decent human being. I would never do such a thing. It's beneath me. I prefer to win fair and square. Besides, this is a small town. You can only burn so many bridges.”

Something told me Sutton had dirt of her own that she didn't want getting out. “Is there anyone else we should look into?”

Well, she was all buddy-buddy with Genevieve, but I heard they had a recent falling out.”

"About?”

"Who knows? But I wasn't sad to hear about it.” Sutton thought for a moment. "Is it too soon if I recreate the scene of Hannah’s death in a pumpkin carving? That sure would stir a lot of controversy.”

"Might be in poor taste.”

Sutton considered it.

"Do you mind if we take a look around your house?”

Her brow wrinkled. "Why would you want to do that?"

I shrugged. "Just a matter of procedure.”

"I don't know how my husband would feel about having two strange men in my bedroom after midnight,” she said with sultry eyes.

"I could call more uniformed deputies, if you prefer.”

"I think two is all I could handle at the moment,” she said in a lustful voice, her eyes still smoldering.

There was a long, awkward pause. Sutton was trouble.

"We'll be quick about it," I said.

"Oh honey, I don't need quick. I need something long and drawn out.”

"I'll call some uniformed deputies. I think we'd all be more comfortable with the additional police presence."

“It seems like you're going to need a warrant.”

I frowned. "And we were getting along so well."