Read Online Hidden Heritage by Charlotte Hinger - Free Book Online Page B

room picking to an old bluegrass tune. “Don’t stop.” I put my briefcase on the floor as Tom rose to give me a hug.
    â€œSorry I wasn’t here when you came. I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow and had to go to a funeral this morning. Sam and I went to Topeka yesterday and the KBI gave me some follow-up work to do. Anyone want a cup of coffee?”
    â€œNo,” Tom said.
    â€œHell, no,” hollered Keith.
    I laughed and retreated to the kitchen. I carried my cup back to the music room. “Now, please keep playing.”
    â€œWe’re experimenting,” Tom said. “It’s not exactly a bona fide jam.”
    â€œSince Josie is coming, I wanted him to be prepared.” Keith strummed a few chords.
    â€œNothing will prepare you for my sister, Tom.”
    â€œHaven’t I already met her? Or was that you? I can’t remember.” He grinned.
    â€œJust don’t challenge her to a duel.”
    â€œI’ve already clued him in. Told him about her unfortunate contest with Old Man Snyder.”
    â€œShe was set up,” I said.
    â€œWas not,” Keith protested. “Swear to God I had no hand in that. No one knows when or where that old man will show up. Or what moves him exactly.”
    I sank into my favorite chair and watched as father and son forgot I was there.
    â€œSo how did the funeral go?” Keith asked when they took a break. “Learn anything new?”
    â€œNot really.”
    Tom looked puzzled.
    â€œThe funeral was a work duty,” I explained. “Agent Dimon sent me on kind of a surveillance mission.”
    If Keith thought my answer was abrupt, a clear deviation from my usual detailed accounts, he didn’t say so.
    After an hour, I got up and started toward the stairs. “I’m going to turn in.” I smiled apologetically at Tom. “I’m on duty for Sam tomorrow morning, but thank goodness I’ll be off in the afternoon when everyone is coming in. I’ll duck into the historical society just long enough to write my column, then come home and fuss over the family.”
    Tom stood. It gave me a strange feeling. Was I supposed to tell my own stepson that formality wasn’t necessary in his own house? That I was sort of his mother? Should I airily wave my hand that it was perfectly fine for him to sit down now?
    I walked on up saddened that in spite of eight years of marriage there was still this underlying tension when I was around Keith’s children. Especially when they came as a group. I turned on the Jacuzzi and took a long bath but it didn’t do much to ease the queasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew Dimon would love to get rid of Sam. Me too, for that matter.
    In fact, all of Western Kansas and our whole patchwork of law enforcement.
    Josie called just as I propped myself up on pillows and started on an academic book I was expected to review for Kansas History Magazine .
    â€œHi, Lottie. I’m making a list and checking it twice.”
    â€œNo need. We’re all good little boys and girls out here.”
    â€œSeriously. Is there anything you want me to bring from the city?”
    â€œWe’re fine. Bettina organized everything which means all the preparations are flawless.”
    â€œStill have Zola?”
    â€œOh you bet. In fact, Keith has latched on to her, too, to help with the cattle.”
    â€œGreat. I assume she’s as good around the barn as she is in the house.”
    â€œAbsolutely.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Normally I would have told her instantly about Agent Dimon targeting Sam. She would have shared my outrage.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, Lottie?”
    â€œNothing. Everything is fine.”
    â€œYour pants are on fire.”
    â€œAre not.” I smiled. Nothing escaped my twin. We had nearly telepathic communication from time to time.
    â€œNothing,” I insisted. “Really. I’m just tired. Sam