Read Online A Whisper in the Dark by Linda Castillo - Free Book Online

his attention kept drifting back to her. To the way that sweater flowed over curves he had no right to be noticing at a time like this.
    “Do you mind?”
    Realizing he’d let the beam stray, John jerked the light back to the box. “Sometime today,” he growled.
    An instant later the lights flicked on. Julia turned to him, her expression triumphant. “Good as new.”
    “If you don’t mind a fire hazard.”
    He spotted her jacket draped over a nearby chair back, and for the first time he had an unencumbered view of her without it. He saw silk flowing over lush curves, the outline of lace and the hint of large nipples puckered with cold . . .
    Disgusted with himself, he stepped back, figured now would be as good a time as any to make his exit. He turned off the flashlight and handed it to her. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow and let you know when the locksmith and alarm people will be out.”
    “Great. I’ll be here all day.”
    He left the storage room and entered the main portion of the shop. Aware that he’d broken a sweat, that he was walking too fast, he headed toward the door. He could hear Julia behind him, but he didn’t slow down. He didn’t want her to ask him to stay for coffee. He didn’t feel like making small talk or reminiscing about old times. He didn’t like the way he was reacting to her, didn’t want to get caught up in the way she looked or the way his body jumped to attention every time he looked at her.
    But he knew if she asked him to stay, he would . . .
    He reached the door. Vaguely, he was aware that Julia had gone behind the counter. That she was humming a tune, and he could still smell the sweetness of her perfume. He twisted the knob, tugged open the door. The cold, wet air registered at about the same time as the realization that the door hadn’t been locked.
    He was trying to decide if he should give her a quick education on all the things that could happen to people who didn’t lock their doors when her scream stopped him dead in his tracks.

FOUR
    Julia didn’t scare easily. She wasn’t particularly squeamish or skittish. She’d never even been afraid of bugs or rodents or any of the other creepy things that launched most people into panic mode. But the sight of the knife stabbed into the book and surrounded by the stark red of blood sent a scream pouring from her throat.
    She scrambled away from the counter just as John burst back into the shop. “What is it?” he snapped, but his eyes were already on the counter.
    Julia pointed, surprised to see her hand shaking. “Someone . . . must have come in while we were upstairs.”
    He crossed to the counter. “What the hell?”
    Taking a calming breath, she moved closer and stared down at the macabre sight in utter disbelief. Someone had driven a nasty-looking knife through the center of a book and dribbled what looked like blood all over the cover and surrounding countertop. The serrated blade had gone through both the front and back covers and penetrated the wooden counter beneath.
    “My God,” she murmured, but her voice was high and tight. “What do you—”
    John’s gaze met hers, his eyes flat and dangerous. “Did you lock the front door after your father left?”
    “I’m sure of it.”
    “It wasn’t locked.” He glanced toward the rear of the shop. “Stay put. Don’t touch anything. I’m going to check the back room.”
    Sudden understanding dawned: the intruder could still be in the shop. Julia’s heart began to pound. She watched John move soundlessly down the aisle and disappear into the storage room. Still not sure if she was frightened or angry—or maybe a little of both—she glanced down at the book. A shudder moved through her as she took in the length of the knife, its stainless blade stained with bright red droplets. The cover of the book had been slashed multiple times, as if the culprit had been in a frenzy. It almost looked as if the book was bleeding . . .
    Leaning close, she was able to