Read Online Truth and Consequences by Linda Winfree - Free Book Online

try.”
    With a shake of his head, Jim Ed drained his coffee cup. “Go for it, cousin, but I’m telling you—if you can’t get her to back off, I can.”
    * * *
    Kathleen Palmer’s home perched on stilts on a small lot overlooking Ocean Lake. The neighborhood was old and many of the homes were in various stages of restoration. The wooden shakes on Kathleen’s house sparkled under a new coat of white paint. Bright red geraniums sat in pottery crocks on the front porch and marched up the steps to her back deck. Ferns swung in lazy arcs from the open rafters.
    Jason glanced out over the lake, appreciating the view. Man, to have that stretch of fish-rich water in the backyard. Perfect for a boat or jet ski.
    A glass-topped metal table and chairs with plush cushions dominated one end of the deck. Jason knocked at the French door and wandered over to study the large square tiles spread atop newspaper on one end of the table. Polished sea glass covered the tiles in a mosaic pattern, the scent of fresh glue heavy in the air. He rubbed his thumb over a bit of bright blue glass.
    “What are you doing here?” Ice coated Kathleen’s voice.
    He spun, hands tucked in the pockets of his uniform pants. She stood in the doorway, legs in an open, aggressive stance. A pair of low-slung denim capris clung to fantastic legs and a pale pink blouse tied at her waist revealed an inch or so of a flat stomach. Following the direction of his gaze, she crossed her arms over her midriff.
    Jason lifted his gaze to her face. “I owe you an apology.”
    One eyebrow arched. Her stance didn’t change.
    “I was completely out of line the other night.”
    She didn’t reply, but continued to watch him with those gold-flecked eyes. Jason swallowed, tempted for a moment to spill his guts, tell her everything, reveal his true self.
    Yeah, that would go over real well with his Bureau chief. This whole crazy idea of getting close to Kathleen to keep her safe was guaranteed to get him called on the carpet, but, really, what could they do? As Calvert said, he was it. The only one they could get inside.
    Still she watched him. He swallowed again and rocked back on his heels. “My behavior…my attempt to intimidate you…was inexcusable.”
    She shrugged. “Fine. You apologized.”
    The dismissal was plain. “I told you the truth. I didn’t see anything the day before yesterday. I arrived the same time as Calvert. I saw nothing .”
    Her hand on the doorknob, she stepped back. “I doubt you’d know the truth if it jumped up and bit you.”
    He couldn’t let her go, not until she understood the seriousness of the situation. Not until she really understood how far Jim Ed was willing to go. “I know about the snake in your door.”
    Her face flushed, and her entire body stiffened. “I’m sure you do.”
    “Kathleen, you don’t know what he’s capable of.”
    “Your cousin?” She released the door and stalked across the deck to stand in front of him. “Oh, I think I do. Maybe you’re the one who doesn’t want to see what he is.” She paused, her gaze searching his face. “Or maybe you do see and you’re willing to look the other way. Maybe you’re in this up to your neck as well.”
    “I’m…not.” Not the way she thought, anyway.
    She stared at him, minutes ticking away, and he wondered what clicked through her head. She stood close enough that he could see the pulse beating in her throat, smell the Ivory clinging to her skin.
    His stomach growled, filling the silence.
    Her eyebrow quirked again. “Hungry?”
    “I skipped lunch.” Breakfast had been a cup of coffee in the squad room. He lived on the actual salary paid to him by the department and, after his utility bill, he had three dollars in his pocket until Friday. Gas money for the truck that got eight miles to the gallon.
    She shook her head and turned away. “Come on.”
    “Excuse me?”
    At the door, she paused and sent him an inscrutable look over her shoulder. “I just