Read Online Final Touch by Brandilyn Collins - Free Book Online Page A

floor.
    In seconds I crossed the bedroom and into the hall.
    From the stairwell drifted the sound of Joshua’s foot on the bottom step.
    I hurried noiselessly until I was even with the bathroom. Joshua continued climbing, his steps heavy and lumbering.
    At the threshold of the bathroom I stopped, gulped in air. “I’m here.”
    Joshua appeared at the top stair and turned toward me. “What’s taking you so long?” Suspicion darkened his face.
    I pressed against the doorway. “Just looking at myself in the mirror.”
    He grunted.
    Something within me stirred, giving me courage. I folded my arms. “You said I was going to be your wife.”
    He snorted. “Not was. Will. ”
    I stared at him evenly. “Is this the way you want your wife to look?” One hand gestured toward my face.
    Joshua considered me as if for the first time. He tilted his head and shrugged. “The bruises won’t last.”
    “They will if you keep hitting me.”
    “I won’t hit you if you do what I say.”
    “I am doing what you say.”
    He gave me a twisted grin. “Then there’s no need to worry, is there?”
    We eyed each other.
    “ Is there?” He walked toward me.
    “No.”
    “That’s good.” He stopped four feet away. “Now if you’d kindly step out of my way, I’d like to use the bathroom.” His tone was mocking.
    I moved aside.
    Joshua shot me a hard look, stepped into the bathroom, and shut the door.
    This was my chance—however short.
    I turned and scurried on cat feet toward the phone.

17
    F our in the morning. Shaley had been missing for twelve hours. Brittany’s eyes felt gritty as she paced the library. Gary sat on the edge of the couch, head down, hands clasped between his legs. Rayne was beside him.
    Brittany’s nerves were brittle. Rayne and Gary had told her about the conversation they’d had with Agent Scarrow. Ronald Fledger. Brittany shook her head. She should have remembered him. She knew the suspect composite looked familiar. To think Shaley was with that awful man. It was just too horrible.
    And now Rayne and Gary didn’t know what to do—tell the public the information they knew, or not? Even when they decided, Agent Scarrow had said the FBI may not agree.
    “Tell them,” Brittany had declared. “Who cares what the FBI says? Anything to help find Shaley—we have to do it.”
    That was ten minutes ago. No one had spoken since.
    “I agree we should tell the media what car she’s in.” Gary’s words were aimed at the floor. He sounded broken and exhausted. “With everybody looking…”
    “I think so too,” Rayne said, “but they—”
    Agent Scarrow entered the room, carrying the tape recorder used during all his interviews. Rayne narrowed her eyes at it.
    Now what? Brittany sighed. The FBI were supposed to be the experts here. But Shaley was Rayne and Gary’s daughter. Shouldn’t they have the final say in what information was included in the press conference?
    “I’d like to talk to you, Gary.” The agent gave him a polite smile.
    Brittany’s antennae went up. Something wasn’t right here.
    “Why?” Rayne asked. “You’ve interviewed him already.”
    “Something’s come up.” Agent Scarrow gestured toward the door. “You want to go somewhere else to talk? Maybe the dining room?”
    Gary stared at him blankly. “I don’t care. We can do it right here.”
    “Maybe we should talk alone.”
    “Why?” Rayne demanded. “What’s going on?”
    Gary shook his head. “I want Rayne here. Brittany can stay too.”
    Agent Scarrow looked from him to Rayne to Brittany, as if making a decision. “Okay.” He set the recorder on the glass coffee table in front of the couch and turned it on. “You want to sit down, Brittany?”
    “I’m fine.”
    Agent Scarrow took the armchair and swiveled around to face Gary. “Four a.m. Sunday.” He spoke toward the tape recorder. “Interview with Gary Donovon. Rayne and Brittany are also present.” He looked to Gary. “I’ve listened to the tape