Read Online C.J. Urban - Julie Townsend 01 - Hidden Intent by C.J. Urban - Free Book Online Page A

you’re here.”
    Skye nudged Julie with his foot. She realized she had to improvise, somehow. “Um, do you have a restroom I could use?”
    “Certainly,” Nurse Helen answered. “Down to the end of the hall. You can meet Skye in his father’s room, 118.”
    Julie headed down the hall, hoping Jacob Leigh’s room was located that way and not down the other hall behind her.
    “Before I see my father, I was wondering if we could go over his medications?” Skye was asking. Clearly he was buying time. Their voices faded as she walked away.
    Still frightened from the out of control patient, Julie made her way quietly, glancing from side to side to read the patients’ names on the doors. Some of the patients’ rooms were open, while others were locked, with men peering out the small box windows at her as she passed. She tried not to look at them.
    But no luck. She reached the end of the hall to the restroom, but hadn’t passed Leigh’s room. Got to be the other way, Julie thought, turning around.
    She reached the nurse’s station and peeped her head around the wall at Skye. He was still conversing with Helen. She shook her head to indicate she hadn’t found his room, then jerked it in the direction of the other hall.
    Skye didn’t look straight at Julie, but registered her sign language with just a hint of a nod. He shifted to his left a little, causing Nurse Helen to move, her back now to Julie.
    Julie darted across the main crossway and down the other hall, thankful her shoes made little noise.
    This hall was much the same as the other one, except there were more locked doors. Julie glanced behind her to make sure she was alone.
    She continued down the white tiled hall, heart beating more quickly. She forced herself to calm down. She decided that, if caught, she would just say she got lost.
    Finally she came to a door labeled “Leigh, Jacob.” She let out a sigh of relief, but stiffened as she heard someone coming around a corner in front of her.
    Julie glanced around, frantic. At the last moment she ducked into a small alcove for a drinking fountain, forcing herself to be still. She didn’t even breathe as a janitor made his way past.
    She remained frozen until she couldn’t hear him anymore, then peeked her head out. The hallway was empty, but Julie decided she couldn’t wait for Skye. She moved silently to Jacob Leigh’s door, praying it would be unlocked.
    It was.
    Jacob Leigh looked to be in his early forties, with brown hair and hard, light-brown eyes. He sat at his window, but snapped his head around as Julie entered, and eyed her with suspicion.
    “You’re not anyone I know,” he declared in a harsh tone. “Who are you?”
    Julie cleared her throat nervously. “My name is Julie.”
    “That’s not very helpful,” he said. “What do you want? I’m guessing it’s not a friendly visit. No one visits me.” He looked tired, and his voice was raspy.
    “Not exactly unfriendly, though,” Julie tried to be nice. “I wanted to talk with you about why you’re here.” She wanted to avoid using the word “murder,” unless absolutely necessary.
    “Well, what makes you think I want to talk to you about that?”
    Just then Skye appeared behind her, closing the door behind him. “This is Skye. We’d just like to ask you a few questions, and then we’ll be gone. I swear.”
    Skye nodded, staying back against the wall. He didn’t want to make Jacob feel threatened.
    “Look,” Julie said, “I just moved into the house where Tara…used to live, and I’ve found some interesting information. I thought you might be able to help. Could you please hear me out?”
    “Interesting how?” Jacob asked.
    “Interesting in the way that might have you found innocent,” she answered. “Could you tell me what happened that night?”
    “I wish I could,” Jacob said roughly. “Problem is, I wasn’t near that house the night Tara McGuire was killed.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “What I mean is I was