Read Online Obsession by Kathi Mills-Macias - Free Book Online Page B

department has assigned Abe to investigate my father's death. He's offered to do it on his own time. Then, if we—if he—comes up with something concrete, he'll contact the county sheriff's office, since Eagle Lake is in their jurisdiction, to see about opening an official investigation. That's what we were talking about when you ran into us in town yesterday, and that's why we were up at the lake this afternoon, looking for evidence, but—”
    “But what? You didn't find any, did you?”
    “Not yet. But Abe said—”
    “I don't really care what Abe said. You didn't find any evidence to confirm your suspicions today, and you're not going to find any in the future. This guy is just leading you on.”
    “That's not fair. He's only trying to help.”
    “Oh, that's right. I forgot. He's doing all this on his own, isn't he? Not in an official capacity, just as a ‘friend.’” Brad spoke slowly and deliberately, but the sarcasm was obvious. “Out of nothing more than the goodness of his heart, Abe Matthews is sacrificing his free time to help you track down some unknown evidence on a case that isn't a case and isn't even in his jurisdiction. Am I just supposed to accept that and be relieved that you're doing nothing more than playing detective together?”
    Toni was losing her battle for control. Even as she continued to remind herself that Brad was only reacting to a situation she herself had caused, her resentment at his tone and implications was growing. When she finally answered, her words were almost as slow and deliberate as Brad's had been. “We are not ‘playing detective.’ We are simply trying to find out if there is any connection between Dad's death and the notation in Julie Greene's file. And even though there's no real evidence to open an official investigation, at least I have an experienced detective who is willing to help me check this thing out. Brad, can't you see? Besides the fact that Julie's grandmother seemed so certain that Dad was right on the verge of getting a break in the case just before he died, doesn't it seem like more than a coincidence that he would leave a note about Eagle Lake and the exact date of his death in that file?”
    “You don't know that it was the same Wednesday.”
    “That's true,” she conceded. “But if it was—”
    “If it was what?” Brad interrupted, his voice rising in volume and intensity. “Toni, your father had a heart attack. He wasn't shot or bludgeoned or stabbed. He had a heart attack. That's it. Nothing more. So what difference does it make if it was the same Wednesday or not? Why can't you just accept the fact that your father is gone and let this thing go?”
    The silence hung between them as Toni absorbed the impact of Brad's words. She knew he wasn't trying to hurt her—even though he had—and that he was trying to help her face the truth and go on with her life— their life. But what if he was wrong? What if there was something to the notation in that file? Didn't she owe it to her dad to find out?
    Before she could answer, Brad had reached across the divide on the couch and gathered her into his arms. After only a brief hesitation, she moved toward him and let him hold her.
    “I'm sorry,” he whispered. “I shouldn't have talked to you that way. It was totally insensitive and uncalled for. Forgive me?”
    She nodded, her head resting against his chest.
    “I should have known there was nothing between you and this Matthews guy,” Brad went on. “Even if I don't know him, I know you. That should be enough. It's just that…”
    She nodded again, blinking back tears. “It's OK. Really. And it's my fault for not telling you about this sooner. I meant to, but… it just always seemed that the timing was wrong.” She looked up at him. “Forgive me too?”
    His half-smile warmed her heart. “Of course, I forgive you. How could I ever stay mad at you?” He kissed her forehead, then pulled back and looked into her eyes. “But I'm still