Read Online Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig - Free Book Online

the city.
    Her mind snapped to Brownbeard. With those muscles and his uncanny ability to appear out of nowhere, he could’ve easily overtaken her, but he hadn’t. As a matter of fact, now that she thought about it, he seemed more intent on following her. The thought forced her to scan the beach for him, and she felt relieved when she didn’t spot his large frame. Was he expecting her to lead him to something? Perhaps the same thing as the other two?
    From her pocket, she slid out the object that Dr. Kuntz had given her just before he died. She sighed. What was it? A coin? An electronic device? She’d considered washing it, but what if it had some kind of sensitive circuitry? Water could destroy it. Then again, the blood probably had done that. Still, she didn’t want to risk damaging the piece any further. Somehow, it was a part of what happened today.
    Wait a minute. Where was the lamp, the piece she lifted from the sea bottom this morning? She searched her other pocket. Empty. Had she left it in the scrubs with the choli vendor? She cocked her head to the side and realized when she removed the tunic, the lamp hadn’t been there. Had she lost it while running between the hospital and the shop?
    Dusk settled quickly on the beach. Shadows skittered here and there like spirits in a ceremonial dance. Shiloh shook her head. Soon the last of the families would be gone, and shecould attempt to clean up in the rank bathroom and maybe even lap water from the faucet. Disgusting, but her burning lips demanded hydration.
    But then what? There had to be something she could do, someone she could contact. Yet, as she ran through a mental checklist, she came up blank.
    “Oh, Khalid,” she whispered, rocking herself in the sand. “What happened? I wish you were here.” A knot welled in her throat. Eyes on the stars glinting against the black, she whispered, “Please don’t die. I need you.”
    Drained, she stared at the swollen waves that tumbled onto the sandy beach. A pulsing headache throbbed through her skull and pulled at the back of her corneas.
    Less than a dozen feet away, masked in the dusky light, a father shouted to his children squishing the remnants of a sandcastle. Still laughing from their play, they picked up their things. The deep-throated sound of a nearby motorcycle coated the air as the family strolled out of sight, heading for the parking lot behind her.
    One down, one to go. Shiloh closed her eyes, waiting to hear the purr of their vehicle. Almost in sync with the starting engine, the other family that had lingered on this sandy stretch of beach headed for the parking lot.
    Sand crunched and rocks popped against the undercarriage of their car as they drove away. Finally, she was alone. Dusting off her legs and backside, she plodded toward the bathroom. She weaved a little, her coordination partially thrown off in the fight for her life, but also caused by stiffness left over from her seizure at the marketplace.
    Swarms of thick, foul odors assaulted her as she stepped into the bathroom and switched on the one dangling lightbulb. Though she tried not to take in the smell, she couldn’t avoid it. She coughed and rushed into the first stall. After relieving herself she stood before the badly scratched and dulled mirror,water trickling over her hands. A smile threatened her dour mood at the sight of the pink and white bindi adorning the middle of her forehead and settling between her eyes. Absently, she traced a finger over the crystal pieces, surprised at the way they felt. Cold. Lifeless. Why did everything remind her of death?
    She tossed off the thoughts and washed her hands. After noticing the rusty hue of the water, she opted against sipping it. She would need to find another source of hydration. She could sleep tucked between the retaining wall and rocky beach. Hopefully, the police wouldn’t notice her.
    Warm sand squished between her toes and welcomed her into the quiet air and chilly breezes. Once