Hatfield and McCoy Read Online Free PDF Page A

intense round of questioning. Julie could tell that the Nicholsons had already been through it all; their answers were becoming mechanical.
    The Nicholsons knew that Tracy hadn’t run away. She was a good girl, she loved them both, she was an only child, and they were a very close family. She had been right out front, and then suddenly she had been gone. All the wonderful people out in the yard had searched the house, the lawn and the streets beyond, and they had even organized block searches. The police had come by, and now Mr. McCoy and Julie Hatfield were here.
    Julie was surprised to find herself distracted momentarily as she watched McCoy. He had the ability to be kind, to be gentle. He spoke to the Nicholsons with a depth and understanding that startled Julie.
    She had thought him all business, cut and dried. But there was a heart pumping in that broad chest.
    He was a very handsome man. Those steel-gray eyes were direct and powerful in a handsome face that was strongly, ruggedly sculpted.
    He probably chews nails for dinner, Julie thought.
    He didn’t really look like a G-man, not in that black leather jacket of his. G-men were supposed to wear three-piece suits.
    Maybe he did wear suits on occasion. He would be just as tall in a suit. His shoulders would be every bit as broad. Maybe he’d be even more intimidating.
    He wasn’t intimidating. Yes, he was. But he did have a heart in that rock-hard chest, she had determined. Either that, or he was just so professional that he could make his voice sound as if he were caring.
    Something suddenly flashed briefly through her mind.
    He cared too much. That was it. He cared too much. He took every case right to his heart …
    Julie turned toward the window and started. They were still talking behind her. Suddenly, she could see what had happened. She could see it all.
    There was Tracy Nicholson. She was a tall girl for seven, maybe four feet three inches. And she didn’t look a thing like her parents. She had bright red hair and a cute spattering of freckles across her nose. She was wearing nearly brand new blue jeans and a white blouse with a Peter Pan collar and a pretty navy sweater. She had been rolling a ball down the steps. The ball had rolled out into the street. It was then that the car …
    The car. She couldn’t quite see the car. All Julie knew was that it was some kind of a sedan, and not a compact car. And it seemed to be a darkish color. It drew near the curb.
    The driver was calling to Tracy.
    Julie inhaled and exhaled slowly. She could feel her heart thundering, just as Tracy had felt her little heart pound ferociously.
    Tracy had been taught by her parents never to get into a car with a stranger. She had been taught to be polite, but careful.
    And now there was this someone …
    Julie tried to see into the mist surrounding the car and driver. She couldn’t. She just couldn’t.
    Not even when the driver swore because Tracy would come no closer. Swore, and leaped quickly out of the seat, rushing for Tracy.
    Tracy tried to scream, tried to run. She could do neither. Julie could feel the little girl’s terror. Her feet had felt like cement. She couldn’t budge them. And her scream … her scream had caught in her throat. And just when it might have burst out, something was clamped tightly over her mouth. Something with an awful, strong odor. Tracy tried to fight then. She tried very hard, and her shoes dug into the dirt. But that stuff on the cloth made it harder and harder to move. She couldn’t even think anymore. It was something awful. Something that stole the light …
    It was gone. A flash of blackness appeared before Julie’s eyes, and she knew. The little girl had lost consciousness then.
    â€œâ€¦ white shirt, and jeans,” Louisa Nicholson was saying. “And her high-top sneakers.”
    â€œAnd her navy blue sweater,” Julie said softly.
    â€œWhat?” Louisa said.
    Julie