Art and Murder Read Online Free PDF Page A

girl.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” Liam spouted. “Things got a little carried away. We’ll make it up —”
    â€œShut the fuck up!” Jack snapped. He turned his attention back to Klaus and said, “Hasn’t anyone told you that you have really bad teeth? Don’t you ever go to the dentist?”
    Klaus’s look turned to pure hatred.
    â€œLie face down on the floor and put your hands behind your back,” Jack ordered.
    â€œI’ll kill you,” Klaus spluttered.
    â€œTrying to tell me I should kill you first?” said Jack menacingly.
    Klaus decided to obey, arching his shoulders to rest his forehead on the carpet before putting his hands behind his back. His movements were slow, but Jack didn’t know if it was in defiance or due to pain.
    Jack gestured at Clive and Liam with the shotgun. “You two goofs, lie face down on each side of your buddy with your heads in the opposite direction.”
    â€œThe opposite direction to who?” Liam asked as he got out of the chair and meekly crawled forward on his hands and knees.
    â€œTo your stupid friend who won’t be eating any corn on the cob for a while. Who do you think I meant?”
    â€œPlease, don’t hurt us.” Clive hobbled, bow-legged, across the floor while holding his scrotum with one hand. “We can make it up to you … honest.”
    â€œNo more talking from any of you,” Jack said. “If I hear as much as a whisper I’ll waste the three of you.”
    Jack saw Laura go to a closet to retrieve a hotel robe. When she glanced at him he said, “Give her the robe, then come out and cover me.”
    Jack used pillowcases to blindfold the men before yanking the belts from their pants and tying their hands behind their backs. Despite the loud music, he could hear Brandy crying as he worked. It did nothing to alleviate the anger he felt.
    When he was finished securing the men, he took the shotgun back from Laura and placed the muzzle of the barrel on the base of Klaus’s scull. “I’m going to talk to my girl and find out what you maggots did to her. I’ll be able to see the three of you from the bathroom door. If any one of you so much as hiccups, you’re all dead.”
    â€œMaybe you should gag them,” whispered Laura once they were out of earshot.
    Jack shook his head. “Klaus might suffocate if I do. It’s not only the blood, but a broken jaw means a loss of support for the tongue. Call me an old softie, but we should keep an eye on him.”
    â€œYeah, it’s always been a concern of mine that you’re a little too soft on people,” Laura muttered.
    As soon as Jack opened the bathroom door, Brandy rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around him. “I was afraid you wouldn’t come!”
    â€œKeep your voice down. Of course we came. I told you I would protect you.” He patted her on the back to calm her, then said, “Start from the beginning. Tell me everything.”
    Between sobs, Brandy told Jack and Laura what she had endured. Jack knew that her physical injuries were not life-threatening, but emotionally, she would have nightmares for years to come. “Why didn’t you call me as soon as Clive contacted you?” he asked.
    â€œIt was late when he called for me to meet him. He told me to hurry because he had some friends coming over after. I thought I would only be an hour and was going to call you when I left.”
    Jack nodded. “And it was Klaus who stole the money from your purse?”
    â€œYes. I should also have an ounce of blow. I don’t know if he took that, as well.”
    â€œGo into the room and get your money back.”
    As soon as Brandy left the bathroom, Laura whispered, “Are you sure you should let her do that? We could already go down for assault. Armed robbery makes it worse.”
    â€œIt’s her money.”
    â€œTell that to a judge. Even if