[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
sighing in disgust. It was his mother s influence, making him such a dreamer. Fortunately,
my boss had an interest in ignoring Cassidy s blabbering.
A monetary interest?
What do you think? Hugo asked. He swallowed, disgust plain on his face. Damn it,
Michael. I wish you d been able to control your snooping. I didn t want to have to do this.
You only got involved because of bad luck to be traveling at the same time as Cassidy s
body.
I really won t tell, Uncle Hugo, Michael said.
No, you won t. Ever.
Why do you have to kill me? I didn t do anything, Michael pleaded. The phone in his
pocket began to vibrate again. It had to be Argent, calling him to warn him about Hugo. If
184 Nicole Kimberling
they d really managed to open the files, then Argent would be able to figure out that Michael
was in danger, wouldn t he? He had to stall as long as he could. The police know about the
flash drive. But I have it hidden, and they don t know where it is. If you promise not to kill
me, I ll take you to it. You won t be able to find it without me, not even with a snuffler.
His uncle paused, considering. All right, Michael, he said slowly. You re going to
drive us to the location, and you re going to give me that flash drive. After that we ll go to
Hilliard s, and you can take a one-way trip to Paarkuur. It s either that or death.
Thank you. Michael pumped gratitude into his voice. I really appreciate this, Uncle
Hugo.
Turn around and walk toward the front of the house.
Michael slowly turned, hearing his uncle step quickly up behind him, feeling the barrel
of the shock-volt at the small of his back. They crunched across the gravel to the front of the
house. No one walked along the hot, quiet sidewalk. There was no sign of Argent s car.
Michael heard keys jingling behind him.
Hold out your hand, Uncle Hugo said.
Michael did as he was told, and the old man put his key ring into Michael s palm.
It s the big square key. We re heading for my truck just ahead. Hugo nudged him
forward.
Then Michael heard the screen door of his uncle s house open.
Where on Earth do you think you re going? Jean s voice carried across the lawn. For a
second, Michael felt the pressure of the pistol ease, heard his uncle shift. He took his chance
and spun around just as Hugo turned toward Jean. Michael grabbed Hugo s wrist with one
bronze hand trying to twist the shock-volt pistol out of his grip.
Let go of me! Hugo jerked his arm back, pulling free of Michael.
Michael! his aunt shrieked. What are you doing? Get away from him. She screamed
for help, her voice echoing off the smooth, plastered facades of the houses around him. Two
Hell Cop: Red Sands 185
houses down a front door opened. A boy peered out. Jean rushed forward, slamming her old,
bony fists into Michael s face and neck.
You don t understand, he tried to explain, but she clawed his cheek, still hysterical.
Michael felt the air shiver as the blue aura crackled around him, felt the crushing, burning
pain of the shock-volt s power slam like a nail into his thigh.
Michael scrambled away across the lawn, clutching the shock-volt shaft as it burned.
Neighbors emerged from their houses, some standing as spectators, others moving
toward him.
Stop him! Aunt Jean wailed. He s trying to kill my husband!
Three teenage boys rushed toward him, one holding a golf club, another a broken
brick.
It s not true, Michael tried to call, but the pain, the silver, took his breath away.
The rangy, freckled teen raised the club and then stopped, wrapped in a crackling blue
light. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw Argent, arms raised, pushing out wave after
wave of light. Four squad cars filled the street behind him, lights flashing across the staid
houses. Two uniformed officers took the club out of the kid s hand. Argent knelt beside
Michael.
You okay?
Michael tried to force a smile, grimaced instead.
I feel great, Michael said. I solved the case.
Yeah? Argent reached out and gave his shoulder a light, reassuring squeeze. So did
I.
186 Nicole Kimberling
Epilogue
Euphemie was a beautiful boat, from the teak decking to the brass fixtures below decks.
Argent had taken Michael on the tour when he arrived on board, chest puffing with pride as
he moved around the deck, pretending to brief Michael on marine safety and taking every
opportunity to touch. Michael had been worried about going aboard a boat while he still
walked with a cane, but Argent had persuaded him to come. Michael followed him from the
forward compartment, with its small but neat galley and dining table, to the office, the head,
and the bedroom in back.
Their evening mirrored the tour, starting with a barbecue on deck. Shark steaks, spicy
corn and potato boil, beer, and creamy lime pie to finish. Michael was aware of them both
controlling their conversation, keeping it light. No talk of murder or of Michael s father.
They talked about the sea, the birds, nearby islands, distant demon realms. After dark
when the night breeze got up, they moved down to the galley for scotch. Only then did the
conversation turn to Cassidy and to his Uncle Hugo.
What I want to know, Michael said, is how you kept finding me.
A tracking spell, of course. Remote viewing. Argent splashed an inch of liquor into
Michael s glass.
Hell Cop: Red Sands 187
Selma checked me over for spells, Michael said.
No offense to your lawyer friend, but in my business we do know a fair number of
ways to keep track of someone, Argent said.
So you had me under surveillance the entire time?
And aren t you glad I did?
Yes, creepy as it is to think about now. Michael sipped his scotch, moving slightly
closer to Argent, who wrapped an arm around his shoulders, then obtrusively checked his
watch.
Getting close to your bedtime? Michael asked, half-annoyed, half-charmed by
Argent s overture.
Just making sure I don t miss my show. Argent, to Michael s annoyance, reached out
and jabbed a button on a black remote control. A small television screen came on. Michael
cast Argent a sidelong look. Was he really going to watch television at a time like this?
Seriously?
A too excited and too clean announcer stood in front of a dull and boxy building.
And to Dr. Matson s famous clinic now for the most talked about premiere this week:
Season Two of Rehab with the Stars!
God, I hate this show, Michael groaned. Turn it off.
I just want to find out who Dr. Matson s secret clients are this time, Argent said.
Michael sat up straight, his evening in ruins. No matter how sexy Argent was, no
matter how strong or how brave, he just could not love a man who thought Rehab with the
Stars constituted entertainment. He wasn t even sure he d have been able to make it through
the opening credits, where that stupid, toothy Dr. Matson swore to help a new set of famous
drunks and junkies help themselves, but Argent had him blocked in on the bench seat.
188 Nicole Kimberling
Sullenly he glared at the television and found a thin, grizzled, and completely familiar
face staring back at him saying, I m gonna make it this time! I m gonna get sober! and
throwing a rock n roll devil sign at the camera.
That s Dad! Michael knocked his glass of scotch right off the table. He s in
Oceanside!
So he is. Argent nodded amiably.
He s okay! Michael found himself laughing and growing misty at the same time as a
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]