Read Online Chasing Shadows by Terri Reed - Free Book Online Page B

written across Kris’s door wouldn’t releasetheir tight grip in his consciousness. Somehow the warning and Sadie’s suspicions had to merge. But how?
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    Kris could see the questions and doubts flittering through Gabe’s green eyes. On the one hand Sadie’s claims could appear to be the ravings of a failing mind, but that awful threat last night on her door had been all too real.
    She was just so glad he’d come to the retirement center even with his doubts. “Let us know what you find out, okay?”
    Gabe touched her hand, the contact sending little tingles marching up her arm to settle near her heart. “Of course I will.”
    A movement in Kris’s peripheral vision gave her a start, and she clutched at Gabe’s sleeve.
    An elegant, elderly woman appeared in the doorway of Sadie’s studio apartment. “Hello, would anyone like a spot of tea?”
    Okay, she was way too jumpy. She forced a smile. “Hello, Mrs. Tipple.”
    Evelyn Tipple’s face creased into an answering smile. She had her silver hair swept back into a classic chignon. She looked coolly chic in khaki slacks with a sweater set complete with a string of pearls around her slender neck. An English rose personified. Her lively hazel eyes danced as her gaze roamed over Gabe. “Who’s this handsome bloke?”
    Kris suppressed a grin at the red creeping up Gabe’s neck. “This is Detective Burke from the Boston P.D.”
    Mrs. Tipple winked at Gabe. “Oh, has someone done something wicked?”
    If they only knew for sure. “We’re—”
    â€œI’m just visiting,” Gabe interjected, darting a meaningful glance at Kris.
    She sobered. These wonderful ladies very well might be in danger.
    â€œI’d love some soothing tea, Evelyn, thank you,” Sadie said. To Kris, she whispered, “Let me know what you find out.”
    With a kiss to Sadie’s check, Kris answered, “Of course.”
    As Sadie passed Gabe, she touched his arm. His soft smile and nod made Kris’s heart constrict. She loved that he was so good to her grandmother.
    â€œI’ll go talk to Ms. Faust again,” he commented.
    â€œI’ll go with you.”
    They found her conversing with Frank, the janitor, in a small alcove at the end of the hall. Frank’s eyes widened as they approached. “I ain’t done nothing.”
    Kris wasn’t surprised that Frank would think Gabe was here for him. The man made her nervous. There was something about him that was off.
    â€œWe’re not here to see you,” Gabe declared in a calm tone.
    With a quick look at Ms. Faust, Frank scurried away, pushing his cleaning cart.
    â€œMs. Faust, can you tell me exactly where Denise Jamesen’s relative lives?” Gabe asked, taking a notebook out of his pocket.
    â€œAre you conducting an official investigation?” Ms. Faust inquired.
    Gabe hesitated a moment before answering. “Yes.”
    Ms. Faust’s mouth pressed into a thin disapproving line. “Then come back when you have a warrant. I’m sure if Mrs. Jamesen wished for Sadie to know where she was, she’d have left her the address herself,” Ms. Faust argued with a glare directed at Kris.
    â€œSadie is upset and worried about her,” Kris replied, trying to appeal to the woman’s emotions.
    Ms. Faust raised an eyebrow. “You should be more worried about your grandmother.”
    â€œIs that a threat?” Gabe asked, taking a menacing step closer.
    Ms. Faust flushed. “Of course not. I only meant that Sadie has shown increasing signs of dementia. It’s natural at her age.” She turned her piercing gaze back on Kris. “And since you’ve been coming to visit her more regularly these past few months, her blood pressure has risen significantly.”
    The admonishment in Ms. Faust’s tone strummed a chord of guilt in Kris. Were her visits too much