Read Online See No Evil by Gayle Roper - Free Book Online Page A

closed. My heart was beating faster than a repeater weapon could spit out shells, and he was completely relaxed? For some bizarre reason, his composure irritated me. I liked him better when he was beating on the door in concern for my safety.
    â€œWhat’s with you, Edwards? You rush over here to tell me I’m going to be murdered, and now you’re talking a nap?”
    He cracked one eye and just looked at me.
    I flushed. “Sorry. That wasn’t very gracious when you were so nice. I’m usually quite good-humored. I’m just not used to being fingered for a killer.” I gave him a weak smile. “It makes me anxious.”
    He closed his eye. “You’re sure you don’t have a historyof being chased by bad guys? Maybe that innocent, dedicated teacher bit is a cover for nefarious behind-the-scenes stuff.”
    I all but sputtered. “Come on, Gray. I don’t even know any bad guys unless you count Skip Schumann, and he’s only thirteen, and he’s not really a bad guy. He’s just too full of himself and doesn’t like me.”
    â€œHuh.”
    I glared at him. He looked so at ease! “What about you? Don’t contractors have to deal with the Mafia and all? I bet you know lots of bad guys. Did one come looking for you because you didn’t pay your protection this month and decide for some perverse reason to take out Dorothy instead?”
    This time Gray opened both eyes, and they flashed with annoyance. “You’ve been watching too much TV and reading too many novels. Contractors are just as honest as any group of people, and I, being a Christian, am among the most honest of all. I value my good character too much to compromise it with questionable associations.”
    I’d offended him. Well, he’d offended me. I rubbed my forehead. The afternoon was not going well. Maybe if I went to bed right now and made believe the day was over, things would get better. My eyes fell on the newspaper. No, they wouldn’t. He was still out there.
    Gray sighed and held up a hand. “Hey, I’m sorry. For some strange reason, I’m a bit touchy today. This mess is interfering with my schedule like you wouldn’t believe.”
    â€œIt’s not doing mine any good either,” I shot back. Here we were being fingered for a murderer, and he was worried about a few missed meetings?
    He took a deep breath and sat up. “Let’s start over.”
    I stared at him grumpily for a minute, then nodded. I was supposed to teach intermediate school kids, not act like one. “Okay.”
    â€œOkay.” He sat up. “Since we’re agreed we’re both missing too much work and we both hang out with nice people, Skip Schumann aside, apparently we only have to worry about this one man.”
    We? “You don’t have to worry about him at all.” My voice was tart. “I’m the one he saw.”
    I leaned back into the love seat. I’d brought it from home and reupholstered it in steel blue to go with Meg’s striped sofa. Tipsy, sleeping on the other half of the love seat, looked at me with resentment. “It’s called sharing,” I told him as I pushed his stretched-out hind legs back onto his side. “And stay on your own space.”
    He showed me his fangs.
    â€œWe’re in that picture together.” Gray flicked a hand at the News. “We’re in the mess together.”
    I looked at him. “I think your comment’s supposed to comfort me, right?”
    He shrugged. “I sort of hoped it would.”
    â€œWell, it sort of does, and I thank you, but I’m still the only one he shot at. What if he’s got friends who’ll help him get me? Bad guys have friends, don’t they? Well, don’t they?”
    When Gray didn’t bother to answer, I said, “The Mob. That’s what they’ve got. I know all about Tony Soprano and Don Corleone.”
    He