Blood in the Marsh Read Online Free PDF Page A

Nick touched her arm. “Lyra?”
    As she turned back to him, she saw him smile and raise his right hand. She looked down at his empty palm and a puzzled expression crossed her face. He smiled, closed his hand, and raised it to his lips to blow on it. When he extended it, again he reached beside her left ear and produced a single white daisy.
    She smiled as he offered her the flower. When she took it, he touched her hand lightly. “Thank you. It’s beautiful and you’re a marvelous magician.”
    Nick grinned at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow Lyra with a ‘y’.”
    “Bye,” she whispered, holding the flower up in front of her face.
    He smiled once more and left through the bar entrance. For a few moments, Lyra stared at the door, still mesmerized. Then a frown creased her face. “Damn! What am I going to tell Chelsey?”

Chapter Two
    Saturday —Sea Island

    Lexi and Leopold were sitting on the terrace beside the pool having a drink when Lyra got home. Lexi looked over at her as she walked by them without a word, heading for the house.
    “Where have you been?”
    “The gym.”
    “This early?” Lexi turned in her chair to regard Lyra.
    Lyra dropped her gym bag by the door and turned, going to the poolside bar for a bottle of water. “Four o’clock in the afternoon isn’t exactly early.”
    “Well it’s the crack of dawn as far as I’m concerned.”
    Sipping her water, Lyra took a seat across from Lexi. “I guess most people aren’t used to staying up all night and sleeping all day.”
    Lexi yawned and stretched. “Then I guess most people just don’t know how to have a good time.”
    Lyra made no comment but Leopold chuckled. “Most people do not have your energy and passion, my darling.”
    “Including some people right here we won’t mention.” Lexi cut Lyra a look. “Which reminds me, you could have been a little more sociable when you got home last night. Everyone was asking what was wrong with you. You barely said two words before you tore up the stairs and hid away in your room.”
    “I need to take a shower.” Lyra stood, wanting to avoid another argument.
    “Are you going out?”
    “Yes.”
    “With Chelsey?”
    “I have a date.”
    “You what?”
    “I said I have a date,” Lyra said as she walked to the door and picked up her gym bag. “Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I want to take a shower.”
    Without waiting for a response, she went in the house. Once she was showered, she wrapped a towel around herself and went into her bedroom.
    Maybe Chelsey’s right, she thought as she opened the closet door and looked through her clothes. All of my stuff is kind of drab and frumpy compared to hers.
    Turning her back on the selection in the closet, she took a pair of worn jeans from her dresser and put them on, sliding a baggy sleeveless T-shirt on over her head. She brushed her hair out then pulled it back in a ponytail and looked at her reflection in the mirror. An expression of distaste crossed her face and she turned away.
    Lexi and Leopold had moved into the den when Lyra returned downstairs. “So, tell me about this date,” Lexi said as Lyra walked in. “Who are you going out with? Do I know him? What time will he be here? Where are you going?”
    “No, you don’t know him, he’ll be here around five, and I don’t know where we’re going.” Lyra answered all the questions at once as she sat down on the other sofa.
    “Well shouldn’t you get ready?”
    “I am ready.”
    Lexi stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Honestly, Lyra! You finally get a date and you don’t even bother to make yourself look presentable. What is it with you? Do you purposely try to drive away anyone who shows any interest in you?”
    Lyra counted to ten silently before replying. “Lexi, I’d really appreciate it if we didn’t have to get into this again.” She cut a look over at Leopold, seeing him watching her intently. “Especially in front of your guest.”
    “Well, I’m sure Leo