Read Online Shiver by Cynthia Cooke - Free Book Online

answers.”
    Riley cringed. “You and me both.”
    “You can’t avoid them forever. Having me or even Miss Morgan around isn’t going to stop them from wanting to know what happened.”
    “I know.”
    There was a heavy pause before Tony added, “It wasn’t your fault. There wasn’t anything you could have done.”
    Wasn’t there? “I could have kept a better eye on her. Mac depended on me for that.”
    “An eye on Michelle? Like I told you before, she had a mind of her own and once she got it wrapped around something, there was no stopping her and you know it. Better yet, Mac knows it, too.”
    Riley blew out a deep breath. “I know you’re right, but it isn’t going to make seeing Mac again any easier.”
     
    DEVRA’S STOMACH twisted into knots as she threw her clothes into an overnight bag. How could she have agreed to go home with Detective MacIntyre? How could she spend day and night with the man knowing every moment he’d be probing her mind, trying to gether to slip up? Still, what choice did she have? Until the killer was caught, she’d spend the rest of her life looking over her shoulder, wondering who he was and when he’d strike next. Her best bet was for the police to find him and for them to do it without involving her.
    Not that they’d ever been able to before. But maybe on this ranch, she could disappear. She doubted the detective told anyone what he was doing. His captain wanted him out of the picture. Perhaps she could use that to her advantage. She met him out front, handed him her bag and the cat carrier, then climbed into the Expedition. “Have you told anyone I am staying with you?”
    Speculation shone in his eyes as he looked at her.
    She didn’t say anything, just waited for him to respond. Sometimes silence was the best answer.
    “Just my family.”
    “What have you told them about me?” she asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
    “Not much, just that you need my help for a few days.”
    “Is that all the time you think it will take to find this guy?”
    “That’s all the time I believe we’ll need to get to the bottom of who broke your window.”
    She ignored the prick of disappointment. He still didn’t believe her. How could he protect her if he didn’t believe she was in danger? She rested her head against the seat and stared out the window, barely noticing as freeway gave way to large green expanses dotted with houses as they drove farther and farther away from the city.
    A few days. She probably shouldn’t stay longer than that anyhow. Somehow, this killer from her dreams always managed to find her. But how? A rush of goose bumps swept down her arms. She almost hoped he would find her at this cop’s ranch and she hoped the detective would be waiting for him with a big black gun. Maybe then she would find a moment of peace.
    The rain diminished to a slow sprinkle that quickly evaporated to thicken the heavy air. Soft Dixieland jazz played on the radio, soothing her tortured nerves. Her gaze followed the rolling mound that led to the levy before shifting to the sideview mirror. A gray Honda followed closely behind them. There was only one person in the car—a man.
    She glanced at the handsome detective out of the corner of her eye, but he didn’t seem to notice the Honda. Would she be able to depend on him? No, she’d never been able to depend on anyone. If she wanted this killer stopped, she’d have to find a way to do it herself.
    “How’s Felix doing?” Riley asked, breaking into her thoughts.
    “Good. He’s a great traveler,” she answered, but kept her eyes on the sideview mirror. “Thanks for letting him come. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep without him.”
    “Never been apart, huh?”
    “No. He’s been my only family for a long time now.”
    The detective looked at her with questions filling his eyes. But she didn’t give him any answers. That’s what the next few days would be like—him probing, her evading. They continued down