Read Online A Family for the Holidays by Sherri Shackelford - Free Book Online Page B

been doing a little investigating,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest.
    â€œOh, no.”
    â€œOh, yes. I’ve discovered a few things about Vic Skaar.”
    Jake’s attention sharpened. “What does Vic Skaar have to do with breaking me out of jail?”
    â€œI searched Emil’s rooms above the barbershop today. Someone had already been there.”
    A cold sweat broke out on his aching forehead. “Promise me you’re done with sleuthing, Miss Winter. It’s far too dangerous.”
    â€œI won’t promise you anything. Whoever searched the barbershop knew Emil wasn’t there. He knew Emil wasn’t going to catch him. Don’t you find that suspicious?”
    Jake wrapped his gun belt around his waist. He tightened the buckle, then strapped the second tie around his thigh.
    The empty holster weighed on his nerves. “And you think you know the identity of this mysterious housebreaker?”
    â€œDon’t pretend you don’t know who. The ruse doesn’t suit you. The view you were enjoying the other day faced the barbershop. When I saw Vic at the restaurant, he had a blue handkerchief in his pocket. I found the same blue handkerchiefs with Emil’s belongings.”
    While Jake admired her investigative skills, he didn’t want her involved in the case. “Coincidence. There’s only one store in town. Why break into someone’s room for a handkerchief?”
    â€œThe place was dusty. Vic is clearly fastidious. He searched the rooms, wiped his hands on the handkerchief, then stuck it in his pocket out of habit.”
    Jake stifled a groan. “You’re too smart for your own good.”
    Keeping her out of danger was going to be impossible at this rate.
    â€œDon’t mock me.” Furious color suffused her cheeks. “I think Vic had something to do with Emil’s disappearance. I believe he may be after Sam and Peter for their inheritance.”
    â€œWhat brought you to that conclusion?”
    He didn’t doubt her, but he was curious about her reasoning.
    â€œVic just informed me that the Tyler children were now a part of this jurisdiction, and the sheriff has decided that Vic Skaar should assume their guardianship.”
    â€œThose are some awfully fancy words for Sheriff Koepke.”
    â€œMy thoughts exactly.”
    Jake rubbed the back of his neck. He’d had some time to think while he was locked up. Whatever Vic was searching for, he hadn’t found the item. Jake had watched Vic exit the building looking grimmer than when he entered. There was still something missing from his motivations. If he’d been responsible for Emil’s disappearance over his poker debt, why search his rooms? Dead men didn’t collect debts.
    A sudden realization dawned on Jake. Vic hadn’t found out about Emil’s grandchildren until after he’d searched Emil’s rooms. He also hadn’t discovered what he was searching for, which meant he needed a new plan.
    Lily, Sam and Peter had dropped into his lap like a gift. Vic and Emil were definitely tangled in some trouble.
    None of that explained why Lily wanted to bust him out of jail. Especially considering she’d practically put him there.
    â€œWhy are you here?” Jake asked. “I still don’t know what you want from me.”
    â€œI think that’s obvious. You’re a gun for hire, aren’t you?” She extended the pistol she’d held on him earlier, the muzzle down. “Here’s a gun. I want to hire you.”

Chapter Five
    J ake flushed. This certainly complicated matters. More for safety than for an acknowledgment of the offer, he accepted the gun.
    After flipping open the chamber, he spun the cylinder.
    Empty.
    Clearly the ancient weapon hadn’t been cleaned or fired in ages. Probably a relic from an elderly relative.
    â€œThis gun isn’t much use without the bullets,” he said.
    â€œI