Blood Ties Read Online Free PDF Page A

sounds like fun,” I said dryly; I hate d hovering.
    “I’ll just watch some TV or something. I’ve got some reports to fill in, so don’t worry. I’ll keep myself entertained.”
    “That sounds even better,” I said, pleased.
    I had a messenger deliver the manuscript, and Jared checked it twice before handing it over to me. He was very thorough and careful.
    We spent the rest of the day working. At around eight we had chicken with vegetables, and Jared praised me on my cooking. Of course, he was probably being polite, but he did have two servings.
    Instead of continuing with our work, we caught a movie on TV and then called it a night. I stirred in my bed for a while; as I’d slept unusual hours, I wasn’t sleepy. I put on my iPod and listened to a slow-songs playlist, and managed to doze off at around two am.
     

3
    Images of Susie flashed before my eyes: playing hockey, eating a burger, throwing up at a party, drinking champagne on New Year’s Eve, attempting to play tennis on the beach, flirting with a guy at a bar, trying on dresses before going out dancing…
    I opened my eyes and removed my earphones; they weren’t too comfortable to fall asleep with on. I looked around, dazed. I hadn’t really rested, so after confirming that the sun hadn’t risen yet, I fell asleep again.
    I opened my eyes as light poured into my bedroom. I hadn’t pulled down the blackouts completely, so rays shone on the floor, bounced off against a chest of drawers, and simply lit the place up.
    I went to the bathroom, then to the kitchen.
    Jared was reading the newspaper, his hair was wet and he was having coffee and some cornflakes with milk.
    “Glad to see you found your way around,” I said, and he smiled a very pretty smile that made me tingly inside.
    “I hope you don’t mind. I waited but I got hungry and didn’t want to wake you up,” Jared replied apologetically, and he got up and poured me a mug of coffee.
    “No problem; thanks,” I said as I served some yogurt and cornflakes for myself.
    “Did you sleep alright?” Jared asked.
    “Not really…I couldn’t get Susie out of my mind. Memories just showed in my head. I woke up at around five. I managed to fall asleep again but I didn’t really rest.”
    “I understand. I’m sorry to hear that, but it’ll get better over time, Sam.”
    “I know, thanks Jared. I’ll have to deal with it, let time go by. Anyway,” I changed the subject, not wanting to get emotional so early, “what will you be doing today?”
    “ Aidan will come over, we’ve got some things to go over from the case, and then, I’ll hang out.”
    “Okay . I’ve got to keep on making some corrections on the manuscript and then you can fill me in, once Aidan has left.”
    “Excuse me?” Jared asked, a smirk on his handsome face.
    “I want to know what’s going on, and Aidan is reluctant to tell me, or he only lets me in on the basics. But you, dearest, will fill me in on everything, without sparing any details, okay?” I half-asked, half-stated, trying to be both sweet and firm.
    Jared sniggered and nodded. He was much better than Aidan at being my accomplice. Although I was pretty sure he’d keep confidential information to himself if he thought I shouldn’t know it.
    We finished having breakfast and Aidan arrived. After acknowledging my existence, he went to the living-room with Jared and I went to the study and worked.
    At noon I cooked some meat with mashed potatoes and pumpkin, and the Davies brothers joined me for lunch. We ate quietly and Jared did his best to start conversations, but Aidan would answer with short sentences so Jared gave up. Aidan prepared a fruit salad and added some cream for dessert. After eating so much, I needed a nap.
    By the time I woke up, Aidan had left and Jared was asleep. I took a shower and tried working, but my thoughts drifted back to the case and to Susie, so I couldn’t concentrate on the manuscript.
    I sat behind my desk and stared aimlessly.