Read Online Bone Island 01 - Ghost Shadow by Heather Graham - Free Book Online Page B

enough time to kill her.”
    “Because she wasn’t killed at the museum?”
    He nodded. “She had been killed and lain somewhere long enough for lividity to set in-and the way her blood had settled, she’d been on her side for a while after she was killed.” He winced. “You’re thinking that I shouldn’t be able to talk about her this way?”
    She looked at him. “No! Actually, I wasn’t thinking that at all,” she said. “I was just wondering how on earth you could begin to go back to find out what did happen.”
    He stood. “Well, it’s quite a challenge. I may fail. I have to try.”
    She stood, as well. It was obvious that he was leaving.
    “What if you find out the truth?” she asked him.
    He frowned. “What do you mean?”
    “Say you manage to lay all your ghosts to rest. Will you leave again?”
    “Probably.”
    “Then, if all was solved, you just might feel differently about the museum.”
    She shouldn’t have spoken; she saw a spark of anger in his eyes. “I see where your sympathy for my plight lies, Miss O’Hara,” he said, his words pleasant enough.
    “I didn’t mean-”
    “Yes, actually, yes, you did.”
    “If that’s how you wish to feel, fine. There’s little I can do,” she said with a shrug.
    He started toward the door but stopped and turned back. “Thank you for the coffee.” He hesitated. “Do you manage to suck everyone in like this-then irritate them beyond measure?”
    “I-I, no! I wasn’t sucking you in. I was listening. And I would dearly love to see the murder solved. It was an injustice all the way around. A killer got away with murder. Lives were ruined. I-and surely everyone else-would like to see that rectified. In fact, and seriously, with no side benefit, I’m more than willing to help you in any way. I just can’t begin to see how.”
    He walked back to her. He loomed tall, and she felt a slight tremor touch her, but it wasn’t fear. He was simply a charismatic man, whether talking thoughtfully, or staring at her the way he was now.
    Even wagging a finger at her.
    “Don’t! No, I mean, don’t! Don’t help me, don’t look into this, don’t be involved in any way. Please, and I mean it. Do you understand me-don’t help, don’t ask questions-just don’t!”
    “Hey! All right!” Katie flared. “What-do you have this problem with everyone who attempts to be nice to you?”
    He let out a breath. His eyes were an intense blue as he stared at her, and yet they seemed to spark with a different emotion, as well.
    “No, I just don’t want anyone involved in any way, all right?”
    She lifted her hands. “Hey, you’re on your own. I won’t darken your door, I won’t even speak on your behalf!”
    He nodded, turned and headed to the door. Once more, he turned back. “Seriously, thanks for the coffee.” He lingered for a moment. She was surprised to see something of a nostalgic smile on his face.
    “What?”
    “I don’t know. Remembering times…before, I guess.” He looked at her a long moment. “You don’t remember. I came here one day to see your brother and you were mad at him. You opened the door for me, and then slammed it in my face.”
    “I did not!”
    “You did.”
    She flushed. “Hey, he was quite a bit older, and very superior at times.”
    “It’s all right. I knocked again, and Sean came down. He threatened to lock you in your dollhouse.”
    “I never had a dollhouse.”
    “Then he must not have been all that mad.”
    He stepped outside, the door closed and he was gone.
    “Well,” Bartholomew exclaimed. “Well, well-well. How touching.”
    “Don’t be-a jerk,” Katie said.
    “Excuse me,” Bartholomew said indignantly. “I wasn’t being a jerk. I meant it. How touching. I think I do like this fellow after all.”
    Katie was thoughtful. “If he is able to find out the truth…”
    “Stop right there,” Bartholomew said.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Did you hear him? He doesn’t want you involved. And, hey-it’s