Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“Looks like it used to be some type of motel,” Monty muttered.
Laurel pointed to the far end. “Drive around it. There’s parking on the other side.”
Monty drove around the back, and Huck caught his breath at seeing Abigail’s black SUV. “Holy shit,” he said. “All right, you two stay here.”
“No way,” they both snapped.
“We need guns,” Huck muttered.
Monty opened the glove box and handed Laurel a nine millimeter before reaching in his boot to hand back his Glock to Huck. “I’m keeping my service weapon,” he said stubbornly.
“Fine. I’m lead.” Huck stepped out and walked as carefully as he could to the stairs. “Monty, you take the bottom, I’ll take the top. Laurel, you’re with me.”
Monty started on the lower end.
“Be stealthy. Don’t knock on doors. Make no noise,” Huck whispered.
“I know what I’m doing,” Monty snapped back.
The first three apartments on the top floor remained deadly silent, and Huck caught his breath at seeing the broken door on the fourth one. He nodded at Laurel, and she angled around him to see.
“I go high,” he whispered.
“Affirmative,” she whispered back.
He moved to the other side of the door, his weapon in his hand, and kicked it open. He slipped in fast to find Abigail Caine covered in blood, her hand on a knife.
Zeke Caine was slumped in a chair next to her, blood flowing from every visible inch of him, his head down and his chin on his chest.
“Drop the knife, Abigail,” Huck ordered loudly.
She dropped the knife, her bloodied hands in the air. The spray had caught her across her hair and face and entire body. She blinked, her eyes wide and dazed. “It was self-defense. He tried to kill me.”
Chapter 42
Two weeks later
Laurel changed into heavier socks in Huck’s bedroom as the sounds of voices hummed through the wall. She had not been able to get her feet warm after her near drowning. One would think her lungs would feel cold, or even her face, but it was her feet, always chilled.
It had been two weeks since Zeke Caine’s death and Abigail’s arrest.
Laurel quickly read a text from her mom and then looked at the beautiful pictures of the herbal gardens Deidre had sent. After receiving the bad news, her mom had offered to fly home immediately.
It had taken Laurel awhile to convince her to continue her journey and actually enjoy it. Finally, her mother had decided to extend her visit for two weeks, and Laurel had heartily agreed. The adventure would do her some good, and there was no reason to return home quickly.
Laurel’s phone buzzed, and she lifted it to her ear. “Agent Snow.”
“Hello, Agent Snow. It’s Tim Kohnex.”
She sat on Huck’s bed. “Mr. Kohnex, I’ve asked you not to use this phone number, and yet you persist. This is your last chance. If you call me again on my private number, I will have you arrested for harassment.”
“I do apologize,” he said formally. “I am sorry. I just wanted to call. I’ve been watching Rachel Raprenzi’s reports as well as the news, and I feel as if I could have warned you about your loss.”
She took the hit and felt it deep in her body, but nobody knew about the baby. “Excuse me?”
“Your father. I know he was not a good man from what I’m learning, but his death still represents a loss. I knew you would face that, but . . .”
“But what?” Laurel asked.
“I just felt your loss would be more personal, you know, something innocent about it, but I must have been wrong. Anyway, I was hoping that perhaps I could sit down with you for an interview.”
She paused and looked at the thinner socks she’d discarded on the bed. “An interview? For what?”
“I would very much like to consult with your team. I think I could be a valuable asset. In addition, I’m writing a book on my experiences. An interview with you would make that really sing.”
She swallowed. “Mr. Kohnex, I have no interest in speaking with you, either for your book or for my cases.”
His sigh was heavy across the line. “All right, but I can tell you already, I know there are forces coming for you. You may think you’re out of the woods, but Agent Snow, the evil has just gotten started. I see another threat, from an area you can’t even imagine.”
“Call me again, and I’ll arrest you.” She clicked off and shook her head. The last thing she needed was to deal with a wannabe psychic, and yet his words chilled her. Was there any truth to them?
She shook off her unease and walked back into Huck’s living room, where Nester and Kate were cleaning up after an impromptu lunch of chicken tenders and pizza. Her entire team had returned, and she finally felt settled again.