Read Online Black Karma by Thatcher Robinson - Free Book Online

evergreen trees. In the center of the clearing sat a very large stone cottage. An asphalt drive meandered down the hill from the other side of the residence.
    â€œThe road must loop around,” Lee observed. “I think we’ve managed to come in the back way.”
    â€œThat’s the problem with GPS. It can’t tell the back door from the front.”
    The house looked like a storybook dwelling made of gray stone and rough-hewn timber with a red slate roof. A second story boasted gabled, leaded windows looking out over a green expanse of lawn. A cloudless day allowed the sun to bathe the clearing in light. Serene and secluded, the house was set apart from the world, a secret hideaway in the forest.
    â€œBeing a professor at Cal must pay well,” she said distractedly. “Let’s take a look around before deciding whether or not to announce ourselves.”
    They walked to the side of the house where the black asphalt driveway ended. A late-model Lexus sedan sat in the drive next to the entrance of the home.
    Bai looked from the car to the house. “The reasonable thing to do is knock on the front door and see if anyone’s home.”
    â€œI agree,” he replied.
    Lee slipped his gun into the holster inside his jacket as they walked yet another stone path leading to the front entrance. They stepped up onto a porch covered in gray slate, where he pressed his finger against a doorbell set into the wood trim of an arched doorway. They waited, but no one answered. He pushed the bell again. When no one responded, he put his hand on the wrought iron handle of the door and pushed. A bolt clicked and the door opened.
    He turned to her. “Haven’t we been here before?”
    â€œThis does have a certain sense of déjà vu all over again.”
    He retrieved his gun from its holster, this time bringing the pistol up to his waist. He let the barrel of the gun lead the way as he stepped through the doorway. She slipped her knife out of the sheath in her sleeve and palmed the blade at her side as she followed.
    They stepped into an entry hall of sculpted hardwood walls and granite flooring. To the right, a large formal living room touted overstuffed furniture facing a fireplace massive enough to stand up in. Lamps, appearing to be real Tiffany, sat on end tables. The place smelled of money.
    Lee gestured with his head toward the back of the house to let her know the direction he intended to go. She jerked her head up to indicate she’d take the top story. Separating wordlessly, they moved quickly and silently to search the home.
    She stepped on the edges of the treads to avoid squeaking boards as she carefully worked her way up the stairs on the balls of her feet. When she reached the top of the stairwell, she opened the first closed door to discover a guest room with a bare closet and empty shelves.
    Two more empty bedrooms and an unoccupied bath led her to the one remaining door at the end of the hall. She entered a large master suite that looked to be three or four times the size of the other chambers. A big four-poster bed with heavy red curtains anchored the center of the room. Curiosity drew her in as she pulled a curtain aside to reveal rumpled quilts and red satin sheets.
    A click . . . the safety catch releasing on an automatic weapon froze Bai where she stood. A woman’s voice from behind queried, “Can you think of a good reason why I shouldn’t shoot you?”
    Bai thought for a moment. “I can think of a lot of reasons you shouldn’t shoot me. Where would you like me to start?”
    â€œYou can start by turning around,” the voice ordered.
    She turned to face a very pretty woman, probably in her early- to mid-twenties, Chinese, and naked. Being naked didn’t seem to bother her.
    â€œWho are you?” the woman demanded.
    â€œBai Jiang. I’m looking for Daniel Chen. The door was open.”
    The hammer ratcheted back on the small