Ice Shear Read Online Free PDF

“I’ll keep you company.”
    Ray didn’t move until his brother nodded, yanking a Game Boy out of the overstuffed couch cushions and ambling out. I followed, stopping in the doorway. A heavily spiced perfume permeated the bedroom, not the light grassy scents popular with the girls these days, but something heady and dark. I watched Ray flop across the unmade bed, pausing to reach under his stomach and yank out a woman’s leopard-print sweater, which he rolled into a ball and tucked under his head. He saw me watching and buried his face in the sweater, inhaling deeply.
    Two diamond-shaped patches were sewn into the back of his vest: MC , standard fare for a motorcycle vest, and something I hadn’t seen since my FBI days, 1%.
    I got closer—surely I was mistaken. But no, there it was: 1% meant outlaw gang. Strands of white thread and small tears hopscotched across the leather, where an insignia had been sewn on and pulled off roughly. I was studying the outline when Ray looked up.
    â€œLeave me alone. Pig.”
    I wanted to pin him to the bed and make him tell me his club. Maybe later. Back in the doorway, I tried to give Dave the high sign, but his back was to me and I didn’t want to risk tipping off Marty.
    â€œI have rights,” Marty said. “You’ll tell me what happened to Dani. You have to.”
    â€œWe’ll tell you,” Dave said kindly. Perhaps Dave’s lack of knowledge was good right now. There were no immediate threats, and he could be the sympathetic ear, and one of us on full alert was plenty.
    Dave absently sat down in the recliner that jutted out from the corner, and promptly stood back up: it was covered with clothes. He settled on the couch.
    â€œHer death was suspicious, so we’re doing a full investigation,” Dave said. “Marty, can you give us a breakdown of your movements since you last saw your wife?”
    â€œWent out to eat.” Marty talked fast. “We do that a lot. Our landlord cranks the radiators so we don’t like to use the oven. All our plants died, you know? Plus, Dani isn’t much of a cook.” He unbuttoned his sleeves and pushed them up absently, revealing a flaming skull tattoo.
    I knew that ink from my time on the FBI’s Metro Gang Task Force. Abominations.
    The Abominations were one of the big five of outlaw gangs: Hells Angels, Pagans, Outlaws, Bandidos, and them. Mostly the Abominations stuck to the West Coast. Why was he here? I scanned the room for weapons, signs, anything.
    â€œAnyway, she wasn’t much of a cook. Not bad—not a problem—just no practice. So we ate over at the Purple Pub. Then she dropped me off at work. Then she took the car since she was going to pick up some shit . . . a new shower curtain, I think . . . at Target.” He breathed deeply, breaking up his rushed speech. “So where’d you find her?”
    â€œWhat time did Danielle drop you off?” Dave asked.
    Marty seemed to consider the question. “Nine thirty? Or thereabouts?”
    My suburban mom radar tingled. A lie, I thought. Target closed at nine.
    â€œAnd did she return from those errands?” Dave asked.
    â€œYeah. Ray said so. Want me to get him? Ask him?” A live wire exposed, Marty jolted into unfocused action. He barreled toward me, and I lowered my center of gravity, ready to intercept.
    â€œMarty, you’re the important one here,” Dave called, patting the seat next to him. “C’mon, tell me what you did next.” Reluctantly Marty returned. I checked Ray, who hadn’t registered anything, only the top of his head visible.
    â€œI’m security at the state capitol building in Albany.” Marty held up the sleeve of his blue shirt with the state insignia. “Ten P.M. to six. Dani picks me up.”
    â€œLast night?” Dave asked.
    â€œCouldn’t reach her.” Marty pulled out his phone and tabbed through the