Like a Knife Read Online Free PDF

killer. Where is Nick, by the way?"
    Rachel gritted her teem, holding onto her patience. Felice may have been her friend, but she had a wicked tongue and wasn't always careful about using it. "He's not a killer, Felice. Don't repeat that. And he's downstairs, packing."
    "You fired him?"
    "He resigned."
    Felice quirked an eyebrow, obviously surprised. "That was nice of him. Now if we can get the reporters to keep our name out of the paper, maybe Bill Hughes will leave us alone."
    Rachel sighed, her mind on the man in the basement with Nick. "Don't count on it."
    * * *
     
    As soon as the door closed behind Rachel, Martin Ferris flashed a tired grin and ruffled Nick's hair.
    "Hey, Nicky. Nick. It's me." He pulled Nick into a big bear hug. "God, you look terrible, you know that?" Holding Nick at arm's length, Martin examined him. "Who does your clothes? Man, whoever it is, they're choking you to death." He tugged at Nick's tightly buttoned collar, and Nick swatted his hand away.
    "What do you want, Marty?"
    Martin sighed. "What's wrong with you? Can't I look up the guy who's practically my brother?"
    "What do you want? Or should I say, what does Ren-nie want?"
    "Okay, so maybe he does want to see you." For a minute, a bone-weary look crossed Martin's face, etching deep lines into what Nick remembered as a normally placid facade. Six years was a long time between visits, but still, Martin looked old, as old as Nick felt. But then, killing the boss's wire could do that.
    "Forget it."
    "Come on-five minutes for an old friend." Martin roamed around the room, poking at the shelves.
    "Don't touch anything."
    The big man picked up a drawing from Nick's paper bag and unfurled it. Nick pulled it out of his hand.
    "I told you not to touch anything."
    "Jesus. Okay, okay."
    "Now, are you going to tell me what Rennie wants?"
    Martin sighed. "Better let him tell you himself, Nicky. Otherwise, he'll have my balls for breakfast."
    Nick clamped his jaw shut and indicated the stairs with a curt nod. Christ, if he had to put up with one more piece of crap today...
    Careful to make sure Martin left the building, Nick escorted the large man back up the stairs. Nick trudged behind, carrying the paper bag like a sack of groceries. The rolled-up drawings stuck out from the top like celery stalks. On the way out, Rachel stopped him.
    "Are you okay?" She eyed Martin suspiciously.
    "Sure," Nick said, "fine."
    Martin winked. "Look, why don't I wait for you outside?" He sauntered out, and that was when Nick saw the limousine, parked like a fat, black insect at the yard gate.
    A crowd of children pressed against the fence, staring at it. Something deadly snaked through Nick, and all the paranoia of his dinner with Rachel came back in a flood. Rennie close enough to see her, to see the kids.
    Rachel eyed the car. "Who is it?"
    He jumped at the sound of her voice. "No one. Nothing," He pushed her back. "Get away from the door."
    Uneasy, she glanced over his shoulder. "Why? What's the matter?"
    "Look, I gotta go." He plunged into the yard, knowing the only way to keep Rennie away from them all was to get in that car.
    "Wait a minute!" She ran after him, holding out a corner of recycled computer paper. "Here. It's my number at home. Go ahead, take it. In case you need someone to talk to."
    Nick stared at her outstretched hand, feeling Rennie's eyes on her. "Go back inside. Take the kids with you."
    "Fine, but here." She tucked the scrap of paper into his shirt pocket. "You don't have to use it, but I hope you will. At least let me know you're all right." She looked at him closely, her expression half worried, half exasperated, then went to sweep the kids away from the fence.
    His mouth was so dry he couldn't have responded even if he wanted to. Instead he forced himself to walk past her, waded through the sea of kids, and faced the limousine at the curb.
    Chapter 3
     
     
     
    Martin held the limo door open and bowed in mock servility. "Look who else came to see