Read Online Justice Overdue: A Private Investigator Mystery Series by Rayven T. Hill - Free Book Online Page A

but he’d survived enough of them in his life, what was one more? At any rate, he would have to make do until everything blew over. The future was open and changeable.
    He opened his eyes a few minutes later when Otis came out and dropped into the hammock.
    “Nice night,” Otis said.
    “Yup,” Varick answered. He looked over at Otis, lounging comfortably. It was a shame. They were such good friends, but Otis had betrayed him. There was no way around that, and of course, there could be no forgiveness.
    “Gonna get cold soon, though,” came from Otis.
    “Yup.” Varick lifted the front of his shirt and wrapped his hand around the pistol. Yes, it would get cold real soon. Might as well get this over with. He stood, removing the pistol as he approached the hammock.
    Otis turned his head toward Varick and opened his eyes. They popped as he stared at the weapon gleaming in the moonlight, now pointed at him. “What …?”
    “Sorry, old pal. You betrayed me.”
    Varick stepped back as Otis sprang to his feet. “I thought we were past that.”
    “Maybe you are. I’m not.”
    Otis dropped to his knees and raised his hands in a begging position. “Please, Varick. I’m sorry. Don’t kill me. I’ll make it up to you.”
    “What’s done is done.”
    “It can be undone.” He was pleading. “I’ll do whatever you want. You can stay here for as long as you want and won’t have to do nothing.” Otis took his eyes off the gun and looked at Varick. “Please. We’re friends.”
    “We were friends. You put an end to that.”
    “No, Varick. No.”
    Lucas tightened his finger on the trigger. He didn’t have a lot of bullets left, but at least this one would be put to good use.
    “Varick, you’re not going to—”
    “It looks like I am,” Lucas said, as he squeezed the trigger.
    Otis’s eyes were still wide, but now staring blankly at nothing as he crumpled to the dirt, a hole in his forehead. Varick had waited years for this day and now it was over. Justice was done at last.
    He looked down at the body and sighed. “Sorry, old friend. You know how it is.”
    It was time to dig a grave, and then find that money.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 16
     
     
     
    Thursday, 9:45 PM
     
    JAKE YAWNED and looked at his watch. He was getting tired and he expected the boys must be as well. They were active earlier, swimming, chasing each other through the bush, and working off energy until they dropped. Right now, they toasted marshmallows over the fire, having a grand old time.
    He grabbed a bucket from the SUV and carried it down to the lake. Mist danced above the still waters, illuminated by the moonlight. He imagined the fish, just below the surface, waiting for some lucky angler to haul them in come morning. Fish for breakfast.
    He filled the bucket with water and climbed back up the grade to the campsite. Kyle seemed to have grown tired of the sugary snacks and wandered around slapping at bugs with a tree branch.
    Jake set the bucket down and dropped into the lawn chair. “We’d better settle in for the night, guys. It’s getting late and I know you’ll be up with the sun.”
    Matty popped a darkened marshmallow into his mouth and looked at his father. “We going fishing tomorrow, Dad?”
    “We’ll try it awhile. Then we’ll take a run into town. I want to call your mother and maybe grab a newspaper.”
    Matty reluctantly packed up the snacks, stuffed them into a grocery bag, and tossed his toasting stick aside. “Let’s go, Kyle.”
    Kyle took a final swing with his weapon, tossed it into the bushes, and followed Matty into the tent. Jake heard them scuffling about and giggling. Before too long, everything was quiet.
    Jake thought about Annie. She had wanted some peaceful time at home, but how could it get any better than this? She didn’t know what she was missing. They’d been so busy lately, they barely had time for family and relaxation. He was going to get lots of that this weekend, and be refreshed and