No Ordinary Killer Read Online Free PDF

stepped closer to the door. “You think
you could manage to unlock it before I grow old?”
    “Why, Mr. Reynolds, I do believe you’ve got a sense of
humor.”
      Once he heard a
click, Cooper pushed the door in with her feet. “Reminds me of carrying Megan
over the threshold on our wedding night. Biggest mistake I ever made.”
    “You don’t really mean that, do you? Dang, it’s dark
in here.”
    “There’s a lamp by the couch. I know exactly—” He
heard the keys hit the floor before stepping on them. “Ow, damn that hurt!” he
shouted, then hopped twice before losing his footing with Dallas in his arms. Two more wobbly steps
brought him crashing into, then onto, the couch, settling on top of her. “I’m
sorry … I’m damn sorry. Let me find the light.” Reaching around, he finally
felt the cold metal of the end table beneath his fingertips. A quick reach up
brought breaking glass. “I found the lamp, not sure it’ll work now.”
    Her laughter told him she didn’t think him the
complete fool he not only felt like, but knew he looked like. Of course no one
could see him, thank God. “I promise you I didn’t do this on purpose. Let me turn
on a light in the kitchen.”
    “You sure you can find it before you kill yourself?”
    The tease in her tone made him smile. Several strides
in the dark, some simple fumbling brought the switch beneath his fingers. He
flipped it on. “Ta da,” he shouted, opening his arms wide.
    “You sure know how to show a girl a good time. You’re a regular Indiana
Jones.”
    “I’m definitely not without skills.” He laughed before
wondering when the last time he’d let go like this. Longer than he cared to
admit. “How are your legs doing?”
    “Actually, they’re coming to and I must admit they
burn and tingle like hell.”
    “You want a beer or a glass of wine? It’s old
fashioned Pabst Blue Ribbon or a Columbia Crest Chardonnay.”
    “A glass of wine sounds fabulous. I think your lamp is
totaled. I think I owe you.”
    “Not really. I’ve hated that beaded disaster the day
Megan brought it home. She left it for me because she knew how much I hated it.
You did me a favor.” He grabbed an open bottle of wine and two glasses before
sitting on the couch next to Dallas.
    “Sorry your marriage didn’t work. I’m sure you had
some good times.”
    “At first it was great. The best part was the twins. I
love being a dad.”
    “How old are they?”
    “Tina and Tucker are three. They’re great kids and I
hate not seeing them every day. As soon as this case is behind me, I’m going to
take Megan back to court and get full custody this time. All I need to do is
prove she’s an unfit mother, and that shouldn’t be too hard.” He handed her a
glass of wine.
    “No chance of reconciliation?”
    The distant light cast softly on Dallas. Her long red hair complimented the
many freckles that spread across her cheeks. She was beautiful. “Being a
detective’s wife isn’t easy, but she could have tried. She hated being
pregnant, and even more, she hates being a mother. Staying faithful might have
helped.” Usually private, he didn’t mean to pour out his marriage secrets like
a confession.
    “I draw the line at infidelity, too.”
    “You married?” He hadn’t meant for the question to
sound cold and accusing … but it did.
    “Once. A hundred years ago. Three years of fighting
whose job was more important. Then I wanted kids and he never wanted any. Now
he’s remarried with three kids, a cat, and a dog. Go figure.”
    Absently, Cooper rubbed her foot. He didn’t remember
pulling her legs across his thighs. It somehow seemed comfortable, even
natural. She didn’t seem to mind and he found it relaxing. “I question if there
really is such a thing as a good marriage.”
    “I’m fool enough to believe if two people really love
each other, they can make it work with laughter and passion.”
    “I think the key word there was fool.” He smiled back
at