Page 7 of Deadly Pride

Amber hadn't heard about the sister's death. “That's the reason we're late. The sister was murdered in the same manner as her brother.”

Amber sagged, her hand going to her mouth. “Why? What's going on?”

“That’s what we’re trying to find out. Here's my card. If you hear anything that will help us find out who killed them, please call.” She handed over a business card. “Any strange people hanging around on the nights Lance stopped by?”

“It's a strip club, and not a fancy one. All we get are strange people.” She tossed the business card through the car's open window. “I'm beat. Anything else?”

Harper shook her head. “Thank you for your time.” She'd given them nothing. Maybe Mark, who watched from his car could fill in some blanks. She motioned her head toward the man.

“He's hanging around for a reason,” he said. “Might as well find out why.”

“Mind getting out of the car, sir?” Harper showed her badge.

“Amber in some kind of trouble?” The big man got out, his eyes wide and shining against his dark skin. “It isn't often people meet up with one of our girls in the parking lot. Not folks who mean well, anyway.”

“We're here about the murder of Lance Richardson,” Liam said. “Hear about that?”

“Yeah, I watch the news during my break.”

“What time did your shift start?” Harper wrote on her notepad.

“I pulled a double shift today. Anyone can vouch for my whereabouts. Am I a suspect?”

She met his worried gaze. “Everyone is at this point.” She pulled out another business card. “Any personal dealings with Mr. Richardson?”

“Nope. He signed my paycheck; I do my job. When he does show up, we nod. That's the extent of our contact.”

“When he's here, what does he do?”

“Wanders around, making sure things are up to his expectations, then he sits at a table in the corner, has a couple of drinks, and watches the girls.” He crossed his arms, biceps bulging. “He had a favorite. Jade.”

“How would we contact her?”

“Show up here tomorrow night, eight o'clock. She's the star attraction.”

“We'd rather visit her at her home.” They could get a good feeling about a person in the comfort of their home. “Got an address?”

“I'll have to get it from the office.” He jogged to the building.

“He's awfully helpful, isn't he?” Harper arched a brow.

“Guess the man doesn't want us to think he's guilty.” Liam stared toward the club building. “Which makes me suspicious. I'm not used to people going out of their way to help.”

“Neither am I.” Not during a murder investigation anyway.

Mark returned and handed Harper a post-it note. “What now?”

“You go home. Don't leave town. We will be checking your alibi.” Harper returned to her jeep.

She watched through the rearview mirror as Mark grew smaller and smaller. Her suspicion grew stronger. Oh, yeah, she'd be checking out his alibi as soon as the club opened again.

“What are you thinking?” Liam's question brought her attention off Mark and onto him.

“That the bouncer knows more than he told us. Why send us to talk to Jade? Why not tell us what we want to know?”

“I don't know, but I think we need to wake up Jade and ask some questions before someone tips her off that we're coming. We might want to check on Amber, too. Something doesn’t feel right.”

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