Read Online Double Black Diamond (Mercy Watts Mysteries) by A.W. Hartoin - Free Book Online Page A

stuff?”  
    “You’re willing to pimp me for autographs?”  
    “It would be the best Christmas present your dad ever got,” he said.
    True. “I’ll think about it.”
    Rory set Mickey’s chair upright and gathered his gear. He jerked his head toward the door and I gave a slight nod. He walked out and I stood up, grabbing my jacket. The waitress brought Pete another Irish coffee that came with a bra-flashing bend-over. Pete was transfixed for a second and I hoisted the Wallace bag onto my shoulder.
    “Wait,” said Pete, when his eyes could focus on me again. “Where are you going?”  
    “To the condo. Not feeling so hot. Thanks to you.”
    “But I just got this drink,” he said.  
    “Finish it,” I said. “You can chat up the waitress.”  
    “I wasn’t doing anything.”
    “Right.” I waltzed out. It feels great to be self-righteous, especially when you’re chasing down your drug connection.

    I caught up to Rory at the ski rack. He flung his snowboard over his shoulder and nearly cracked me in the head when he turned.  
    “Nice dog,” he said, looking down at Wallace, who was snarling at his gigantic orange boots.
    “She sucks. Do you have it?” I asked.
    “Not on me. I was shredding. Can you get away from Bill Nye the Science Guy tomorrow morning around eight?”  
    It took me a second. “Oh, you mean Pete. Yeah, no problem.”
    “So you two…” He looked doubtful.
    “We do.”
    “How does that happen? What’s he, a chemistry teacher?”
    “Come on. He’s not that obviously nerdy,” I said.
    “He’s pretty obvious.”  
    “Says the guy with purple hair.”  
    “You got me there. What’s he do to get you?” Rory asked with probably the most charming grin I’d seen outside of my dad.
    “Doctor.”  
    “That explains it. Does he know?”
    “About Keegan? No, not even a little bit.”  
    Rory tossed his purple hair over his shoulder. “Science Guy wouldn’t get onboard this train?”  
    I so wanted to touch that hair. The texture was crazy. “I’m not taking the chance.”  
    “By the way, it’s cool what you’re doing. That kid’s desperate. I saw the video.”  
    “There’s a video?”  
    “If you didn’t see it, you don’t want to. That’s some rough shit.”  
    “So I gather. Thanks for doing this for Keegan. I know your father wasn’t thrilled about it.”  
    Rory shrugged. “The law’s gonna change. Not in time for Keegan though. Dad’s made a study of his disease and he says that little body can’t take it much longer.”  
    “How often have you skirted the law?” I asked.  
    “Twice before. Like I said, it has to be desperate.”
    “What were the outcomes in those cases?” I glanced back to make sure Pete wasn’t coming out of the bar.
    “Eighty percent reduction in one and full remission in the other.”  
    “Impressive.”
    Rory arched over me. “That’s not the only thing that’s impressive around here.”
    I tried to stop smiling, but couldn’t. He was just so, I don’t know, charming and altogether different. I pictured the hot snowboarder body that had to be under those thick pants and coat.  
    Stop it.  
    “Aren’t you eighteen?” I asked.
    “How old are you?” Rory asked.
    “Twenty-five, nearly twenty-six.”
    “Older works for me.” His hair flopped over his shoulder and brushed my cheek. It felt like it should be on a stuffed animal, but in a good way.  
    “Tempting,” I said.
    Very tempting.
    “But since I’m on vacation with Bill and his parents, I better not.”
    “I guess I better find some other hottie to occupy my time.” He grinned and I liked him more and more.  
    “When can I get the oil?” I asked.
    “Tomorrow before the lifts open. How about eight o’clock at the Belgian Bean? I know the owners. They won’t mess with our thing.”  
    “Done.” I looked back and saw Pete emerge from the bar. He took two steps and his gangly limbs went every which way, and he went down.