Read Online Sleep No More by Iris Johansen - Free Book Online

family went to a hell of a lot of trouble keeping her out of view and away from anyone who might ask questions. She even spent most of her life in Europe.”
    “So?”
    “There’s nothing farther out of view than a mental hospital. Sandra said she was under heavy sedation.”
    Eve inhaled sharply. “My God.” She felt sick as she saw where he was going. “They’d have to be monsters.”
    “Yes, but we both know there are monsters out there.”
    “She had an accident. Brain damage.”
    “I’d like to see the accident report, talk to witnesses, and see the X-rays.”
    “You’re jumping to conclusions.”
    “I didn’t say I was going to do that yet. I’ll just put out feelers to see where I can put my hands on them.” He smiled recklessly. “You know what a suspicious bastard I am.”
    Yes, she knew. Joe had been a cop too long to take anything at face value. He was always instinctively searching below the surface, probing, brushing away the lies until he glimpsed the truth. “I hope you’re wrong this time. I can’t imagine who could be that cruel, to condemn a woman for no reason to exist in a living hell like that for all those years.” She shuddered. “She was seventeen, Joe.”
    “And everything Sandra was told might be true. I’ll fly out to Santa Barbara and see what I can find out. If it still doesn’t feel right to me, I’ll take the next step.”
    “I’m going with you.” She got to her feet. “I’ll go pack.”
    He shook his head. “I’m going to have to bulldoze my way on this one. It’s clear no one without police ID and title is going to be allowed at the hospital or the police headquarters. You’d just have to stay in a hotel room and wait.” He brushed her nose with his lips. “Stay here, work on Janelle, and I’ll let you know what’s happening and if there’s any reason for you to come out. It may end up with me asking you to man the phones and the computer to track down the details of how Beth Avery was injured.” He wrinkled his nose. “And stop looking at me like that. I’m not trying to protect you. I’m telling you the truth.”
    “She’s not your problem. I’ve no intention of staying here while you do my job. She’s my sister, Joe.” Lord, it felt strange saying that. “I promised Sandra I’d take care of it. There has to be something I can do out there.”
    “There may be something if I don’t get what I want. I have an idea that might pan out. But not if you’re going to be seen or identified with me. You’d blow it.” He tossed over his shoulder as he opened the door, “Hell, maybe we’ll get lucky, and by the time I get off the plane in Santa Barbara, the police will have found Beth Avery, and she’ll be safely back at the hospital. Then the job will be easy. I’ll just have to make sure she is safe and where she should be.”
    “Why are you being so insistent about this?”
    “Because you need some time to absorb everything that Sandra told you. I don’t believe you know how you feel yourself. Your instinct is to dive in and set everything right, but I don’t want you facing a situation that will tear you up more than you are right now, when it may not be necessary.” He smiled faintly. “Okay, maybe I’m protecting you a little bit. But I’m not lying about its being better if you come in later rather than sooner.”
    “I’m not torn up. Naturally, I’m surprised and—” She stopped as she saw the way he was looking at her. Joe knew her far too well, she thought ruefully. He had obviously seen right through her attempt to appear undisturbed. Why defend herself from him when he would be on her side no matter how she was feeling? “Things aren’t exactly as I thought they were. That doesn’t mean I can’t function while I become accustomed to all this.”
    “I know that. As I said, I may need you as a backup. Give me a little time.” He went into the house.
    She stood up from the swing as the door closed behind him. Joe,