Beauty and the Chief Read Online Free PDF Page A

peaceful here not much more than a mile from the crime that wreaked havoc on his night’s sleep.
    He wondered if Jillian would sleep that night. He doubted it. Twice he almost found himself volunteering to stay with her. Luckily, his reasonable side had stopped him, reminding him about not getting personally involved with a case. After all, she was a victim. The last thing she needed to deal with was an amorous police chief.
    He opened the fridge, pulled out his dinner, and slid it into the microwave. At the bell, he took it out only to push the food around the plate while thinking over everything that had happened tonight.
    At least now, they had some evidence to work with. They would get this guy. But would it be before someone else died? He didn’t want to think of the possibility. Shoving a bite of food in his mouth, he found it cold again.
    He gave up and put it back in the fridge. He’d have to be up in a few hours to see Jordan off to school. It was a practice he had always tried to maintain no matter what the situation. He wanted his son to know that he was the most important thing in his life.
    Slowly he walked up the stairs, carrying his shoes not to make extra noise. He paused at Jordan’s door and looked in at the sleeping boy, his son. Jordan was the only good to come out of his four-year marriage. He had a lot of regrets about Felicity, but none about his son. There was no question Jordan was his son. They were the same in looks and in actions.
    Pride swelled within him. Turning away, he went to his room. After shucking his clothes, he stretched out on his bed. Unimpeded, his thoughts again went to Jillian Taylor.
    ***
    The water didn’t seem to be hot enough to wash the terrors of the night away. Shuddering at the feeling of the darkness peering in through the fan window high on the wall, Jillian slammed off the water. She pulled the large, soft towel around her flushed body. She wouldn’t be scared. This was her house. She was safe here, and she wasn’t going to let anything convince her otherwise.
    She was strong, strong enough to cut off the urge to plead with Chief Richards to stay with her awhile. She was safe. She repeated the phrase in her mind again. The windows and doors were locked. The alarm was on. Chief Richards had gone through the whole condo making sure it was clear before he left, but as soon as she watched him pull away, she wished she could bring him back. For some reason, safety and warmth had become synonymous with him.
    She pulled on another pair of old, warm sweats, curled up on the bed, and dragged the covers up around her. Willing herself to sleep was no good. Each noise, real or imaginary, had her bolting upright again. She wished Abby was there or maybe a police chief with a strong chin and broad shoulders.
    ***
    The shadow closed in on her. Jillian ran harder. She had to find Abby. She could hear her whining. Jillian called for her, panicking as trees lashed out at her, then the branches changed into knives swiping out.
    Jillian screamed.
    Abby’s whine. She was close. She could find her.
    Jillian burst through the mist and froze at the sight of the castle towering over her. It was no shimmering, fairy tale castle with sparkling towers and bright colored banners. It was dark, ominous with heavy turrets and deep shadows.
    A whine drew her forward against her will. “Abby.” Jillian stepped on the drawbridge and almost pulled back as something moved in the murky goo of the moat.
    Terror threatened to crush her, but she kept going on. The bars of the gate slithered under her hand. Jillian swallowed and pushed it open, forcing herself on. “Abby.” She turned toward the sound of barking. The scream ripped from her throat as she looked at the beast covered in darkness.
    “Scream for me, Beauty. Love me, Beauty.”
    “No!” Jillian sprang up in bed. Sweat drenched her body. Her heart fought for each beat. The familiarity of her room seeped in, but the terror refused to fade.