Deadly Abandon Read Online Free PDF

detectives on the Mallard Bay force. I’m sure they’ll have a few choice words to say about me.”
    “Horse hockey. Who cares what they say? This is your chance to have the case reopened and set the record straight.”
    “I do want Miranda to have justice, Dad.”
    “That’s my girl.” He kissed the top of her head and tossed his napkin to the table. “I’d better get going. You know where to find me if you need me.”
    Cody returned from the kitchen as her father pushed away from the table. “Leaving so soon, Gramps?”
    “It’s been fun, folks, but I have to get to work. Laura will tan my hide if I’m not there in time for the evening appointments.”
    Besides being her father, Jack Forest was also her partner at the veterinary clinic. It was a family affair. Splitting the work schedule allowed her adequate time for Cody’s many activities, while her father used his spare time for playing golf and “Old Timers” hockey.
    “I’ll stop by with Bruiser on my way home tonight.”
    ****
    Breeana’s nerves were wound tighter than a Slinky by the time Cody went to bed. Her father had dropped Bruiser off hours ago and left her alone with her snarly mood.
    She paced the length of the living room, her mind honed razor-sharp by a sense of foreboding she couldn’t ignore. Frustrated, she gave up the pacing before she wore a hole in the carpet and headed for the shower.
    A half hour later, she pulled on boxers and a T-shirt and slumped in front of the wide-screen to watch Ghost , a favorite DVD. Two wine coolers later, she nodded off to dream about Patrick Swayze.
    Except Swayze’s face soon became the police lieutenant’s, and the passion of those kisses escalated into a pornographic dream fest. Breeana stirred in her sleep, her body heating with the expertise of her phantom lover.
    A chiming sound broke into her dream and almost shot her off the couch. She glanced at her watch—eleven o’clock. Shoving the mop of hair out of her face, Breeana rubbed her eyes as the chime vibrated again. The doorbell? Who would drop by at this ungodly hour? She stumbled to the door, Bear and Bruiser beside her launched into a vicious guard dogs’ routine. Poor Bruiser . While he tried hard to look the part, his limping gait was a dead giveaway.
    “Not quite ready for action yet, eh buddy?” She stroked his head.
    Breeana glanced out the hall window and recognized the lieutenant’s Tahoe parked in the circular drive out front. Holy smokes! The smooth muscled male with a flirty smirk on his lips leaned against the porch rail. She stood there half naked while he signaled her to open the door.
    What should I do? A futile attempt to paste straying hair into some semblance of order had little effect. She resembled Sasquatch on a bad hair day. Added to that, her emotions were in an uproar, percolating about Miranda’s and Rainey’s senseless deaths. And the phone call from her pervert had not helped matters.
    God, the lieutenant will think I’m a nutcase if I don’t pull myself together fast.
    She inhaled a steadying breath, turned the handle, and swung the door wide.
    ****
    Sully was used to a certain degree of hostility from reluctant witnesses, but Breeana seemed unreasonably put out to find him on her doorstep. As he considered why, he knelt to give his attention to the killer beasts who seemed eager to lick the aftershave from his chin.
    “Hey, pups, at least someone’s glad to see me. Whoa, is this Bruiser? I can’t believe he’s doing so well.”
    “His wounds were superficial; it’s amazing what a lot of love and a good meal can do. He’ll be fine. Speaking of which, how is your arm?”
    “Almost as good as new,” he lied, eyeing the bandage taped from his wrist to his elbow and feeling the ache throb beneath it. “It just needed a few stitches and some antibiotics.”
    “I’m glad you had it looked at.” She frowned, and he tried not to notice the adorable pucker between her brows. “Is it normal for you