Read Online southern ghost hunters 01 - southern spirits by angie fox - Free Book Online Page B

he had to say, "Subject believed she saw a…bear."
    "A black one," Maisie added.
    He ignored her. "No injuries."
    I crossed my arms over my chest. "You know, you'd think in all his years on the force, he wouldn't be so put out by a wildlife sighting."
    Maisie's mouth fluttered into a brief smile, but I could tell from the way Ellis's eyes narrowed that he was fast losing patience.
    "I'm going to stay and ask the witnesses a few more questions," he reported to the dispatcher before signing off.
    Lovely. Maisie looked like she'd just drunk about ten cups of coffee. As long as she didn't break, we'd make this work. We'd get rid of Ellis, say our goodbyes. I'd thank her profusely. Again. 
    And then I'd get right home and call my real estate agent. 
    The sale would be off—at least for tomorrow.
    Ellis tucked his radio into his belt and strolled straight for me. The man was bound and determined to make this hard. Well, I'd been through plenty tonight already, and I think I'd proven that I didn't scare easy. 
    Still, that didn't mean I wasn't affected. Ellis towered over me. He was taller than his brother, lean and tan. It was as if he'd been born to be more intimidating, more rugged. 
    He regarded me as if the intensity of his gaze would let him see straight into me. For a brief moment, I wondered what it would be like to have a man look at me like that when he wasn't trying to figure out if I was up to something nefarious. "Want to tell me what really happened?" 
     I tilted my chin up. "I was out walking."
    "Ten miles from your home. In the dark," he added, not being helpful at all.
    "I needed to clear my mind," I said. "As you and your brother must realize, I'm having some difficulties as of late."
    He clenched his jaw. "I know. I was there when you threw the engagement ring at him. You hit me in the forehead."
    "I was aiming for him ," I said, keeping my tone lofty. Besides, Officer Wydell had surely been hit by worse than a flying two-carat princess-cut diamond.
    "Bad move for a gold digger," he mused.
    For the love of Pete. "Ever stop to think I might have had a good reason for leaving your baby brother?"
    He was back on me in a second. "Then tell me," he demanded. 
    "Ask him," I said, knowing Beau would never tell the truth. He'd threatened me with my sister's job if I ever said anything, and I knew he wasn't bluffing. She was a part-time employee at the library and he was on the board. 
    Ellis sighed, put out. "Can you at least tell me what happened tonight?"
    Not quite. "It was a misunderstanding," I offered.
    A muscle in his cheek twitched and he didn't even notice the unearthly breeze ruffling his dark hair. "She shot at you," he said, with no trace of irony, as if he'd been there.
    "Not really," I said. She'd hit the house.
    We were both fine. In fact, we'd gotten a lot done tonight. We solved some of our problems, made a few bucks, and everyone was going home happy.
    If Officer Ellis Wydell would let us.
     But he was like a duck on a June bug.
    "Come with me," he said, walking me back to his patrol car. 
    I went along willingly. Sort of. "I'm not under arrest, am I?"
    He gave me a slanted look. There was that dimple again. "Now why would you think that?" 
    "Because that's the only way you'd get me in the backseat of your car." 
    I said it to shock him and it worked, although I didn't count on the mild blush creeping up my cheeks.
    Ellis was two years older than my ex. Beau was the youngest, then Ellis, then Harrison as you went up. Harrison was a fancy pants judge who loved having his name in the papers. Beau was a big-shot lawyer, just like his dad. Ellis had stunned them all by opting out of the family business and going into law enforcement.
    Truth be told, I hadn't seen much of Ellis over the years. The middle brother had always been somewhat of a mystery—elusive, taciturn. He hadn't gotten wrapped up in family politics. He loved the law for its own sake, which was quite unfortunate for me at the