Hunter's Way Read Online Free PDF

case, I’m sure, although she won’t admit to it. It eats at her. She doesn’t have anyone in her life, Kennedy. No family, no friends that I know of. Just this job and old memories. And she’s reckless beyond words because deep down, she doesn’t care if she lives or dies. So she makes her own rules and lives by them.”
    “I’m sorry,” she murmured.
    “She’s angry, Samantha. Angry at life. So if she takes it out on you, it’s not personal.”
    Samantha nodded. Jesus, now what? How could she possibly be annoyed at the woman?
    “If she ever finds out I told you that, it’ll be hell to pay. No one knows. That was twenty-five years ago.”
    “How did she survive? I mean, mentally?”
    Malone smiled. “Some would say she didn’t. She’s a very strong woman. Apparently, she was a very strong girl. She lived with her aunt down in Houston after that. Came back up here after college. She’s managed. She’s a good cop. I think that’s why she won’t let a case rest until it’s solved. I’ve seen her work twenty-four hours straight on numerous occasions. But then, I don’t think she sleeps much, anyway. She said she still has nightmares.”
    “I can’t believe she opened up that much to you. She barely speaks to me and then, only when I ask questions.”
    He nodded. “I got her drunk one night in a downtown dive. I think she was embarrassed by it. She wouldn’t speak to me for a week afterward.”
    “I won’t ever bring it up, Lieutenant. But thank you for telling me. Her… attitude at least makes more sense now.”
    Samantha was still visibly shaken as she walked back to her desk. She couldn’t even begin to comprehend the pain a twelveyear-old girl felt after seeing her family murdered. After nearly being a victim herself, only to be left behind, alone.
    Tori Hunter’s chair was empty and Samantha noticed the scribbled note on her own desk.
    “Gone to lab.”
    “Great,” she murmured.
    “Good morning, Detective Kennedy.”
    Samantha turned as John Sikes made his way over to her. His light blue shirt accented his eyes and he flashed her a charming smile. For some reason, it did nothing for her.
    “Morning, Sikes.”
    “Where’s your partner?”
    “She went to the lab.”
    “Taking off without you already? Get used to it.” He again sat on the corner of her desk and sipped from his coffee. “So, has she hit on you yet?” he asked casually.
    “Excuse me?”
    “As pretty as you are, I figured she’d try the first day. Donaldson said she’d wait a week, at least.”
    “What are you talking about, Sikes?”
    “Come on. She’s a lesbo. A dyke.” He bent closer to her. “I told her you were way out of her league, though. You have nothing to worry about.”
    Samantha leaned back, away from him. She didn’t know what to say. Actually, the thought that Tori might be a lesbian had not even crossed her mind. She’d been too busy being angry with her to be curious about her personal life. But then, so much more made sense now. The guys didn’t just hate her because she was a woman. It was because she was a gay woman. An attractive gay woman who wouldn’t give them the time of day.
    “Sikes, why do I get the feeling that you’re the one hitting on me? I mean, I thought you were the one who was gay,” she said with a smile.
    He jumped off the desk, nearly spilling his coffee.
    “What the hell? I’m not a goddamn fag! Where’d you get that?”
    She smiled at him. “There’s nothing wrong with it if you are,” she said.
    “Well, I’m not!”
    She shrugged. “It’s just the way you dress, you know. So neat. Everything matching perfectly.”
    His retort died as Malone stuck his head out of his office.
    “Sikes, Ramirez, got a domestic over near Fair Park. Murder-suicide. A detective from Family Violence is already on the scene.”
    “Yes, sir. Right on it,” Ramirez said. “Come on, Sikes.”
    John looked back at Samantha. “We’ll finish this later.”
    “Sure.”
    Samantha