Read Online Those of the Margin: a Paranormal Suspense Thriller (Derek Cole Suspense Thriller Book 2) by T Patrick Phelps - Free Book Online Page B

it."
    "Why?" Maggie asked, her concern flooding her voice.
    "I have reason to believe my tongue may suffer frost bite if I talk much more out here. In case you hadn't noticed, it is a tad chilly out here."
    Her laugh was so simple and pure that Derek felt warmer just from hearing it. She reached out her hand and gently touched Derek's arm. With her smile still gracing her face, she nodded towards the door and gently guided Derek to follow her inside.
    "Did you tell Mr. Cole that you saw Phillip, Mom?"
    Robby was sitting crossed-legged on the couch when Maggie and Derek came through the door. His eyes shot straight at Derek when he asked his mother about what she had told Derek.
    "Yes, Robby," Maggie said. "I told him."
    "Did you tell him that you didn't see his face, too?"
    "Robby," Maggie said, "Mr. Cole and I need to talk for a bit. Can you finish your homework here while Mr. Cole and I talk in the dining room? We'll be right there the whole time so if you see anything, just let us know right away, okay?"
    "You mean if I see Phillip again."
    "Yes, if you see Phillip again. Can you do that for me?"
    "My homework is done. Can I play Xbox?"
    "Sure, but not too loud and nothing violent," Maggie said.
    As Maggie hugged Robby and patted his head, Derek felt his iPhone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled the iPhone out and recognized that the caller was Ralph Fox.
    "Maggie," Derek said, "I need to get this. Mind if I take it in Robby's room?"
    "Sure," Maggie said. "Second door on the left. Bathroom is the first door."
    Derek accepted Ralph's call as soon as he started down the hallway.
    "Hey, Ralph, give me a second."
    When he entered Robby's room, he flicked on the overhead light, and stared at the wardrobe before resuming his conversation with Ralph.
    "Sorry, Ralph. Had to get somewhere private. Thanks for getting back with me."
    "Seen any ghosts yet?" Ralph asked.
    "Not yet, but things are getting a bit strange up here," Derek said as he slowly opened Robby's wardrobe and peered inside.
    "Well, I suppose that what I am 'bout to tell you ain't gonna make things any less weird."
    "I think I'd be surprised if what you found out made this case make more sense."
    "Ain't got too much for you, but what I do have sure is interesting. The father, Jack Bryant is his name, right?"
    "Yeah," Derek said. "Not sure if 'Jack' is his nickname or real name, though."
    "That's his name. His daddy was named 'Luke,' in case you were wondering."
    "I think Jack mentioned that."
    "That client of yours is not a nice person, based on what I've dug up. Did he tell you anything about his dad?"
    "Just that he was an abusive drunk. I guess he use to beat up Jack's mom when he got drinking."
    "Say anything about him dying?"
    "Just that he did. Die, that is. Just said that his dad died when Jack was around 15. Why?"
    "Did he say how he died?"
    "Ralph," Derek said, "I don't want to be rude, but I'm standing in the bedroom of the twelve year old who says he is visited by a ghost. He and his mom are sitting in the living room waiting for me. Think you could skip ahead to the punch line?"
    "Luke Bryant, your client's daddy, was murdered. Had his head bashed in. Lead suspect was your client, Jack Bryant."
    "Holy shit balls," Derek said.
    "Ain't never been proven, but all the evidence points to your client. I'm still doing some digging and will let you know what I find out."
    "I kind of felt there was something not right about that guy."
    "That ain't all old Ralph found out for you. Seems your client ain't a big believer in the sanctity of marriage. An old friend of mine is a retired detective for the Portland Maine PD. Says that your client has a girl who lives up north of Portland. He told me that she's got a son, about four years old."
    "Son of a bitch," Derek said. Something shot through Derek when he heard that Jack might not be taking his marital vows seriously. He dismissed the fleeting feeling when he recognized it as a mixture of anger, sadness for Maggie,