There was no need to rankle anyone in the Maldeaux family. No one wants to piss off a media empire. It was early. Thaddeus Maldeaux was half dressed. He was barefoot, wearing slacks and a summer t-shirt. His hair was still wet from the shower and slicked back, making him look like a forties movie...
He heard her come in and went to her office. It was time to commiserate on the list. ‘So?’ she said. It was sharper than intended. ‘I like that in a woman.’ ‘What?’ she asked. ‘Swatting away compliments with acerbic wit.’ ‘Acerbic? Your new word for the day?’ She smiled. ‘Inspired by you.’ ‘“Rela...
This he said only in his mind as he cracked three eggs into a bowl. The oil was heating in a small skillet. He continued the internal monologue. ‘You remember the good, old days when you were paid to get other people out of trouble.’ He chopped up some onion and two slices of bologna. The intende...
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I started with the victim’s parents. The greeting was in Chinese. I spoke English slowly. “Mrs. Zheng, my name is Peter Strand.” A flow of Chinese words. I couldn’t be sure, of course, but there seemed to be anger or frustrat...