Out of Sight Read Online Free PDF Page B

from the bed. “Do you need to lie down?”
    “Don’t be silly.” She sat on the edge of a straight-backed chair. “I’m just fine. I love being pregnant and I never felt better.”
    “Good.” He blinked several times and looked hard at his sister. “Who told you what…how do you know about the party last night? Not that it was really a party.”
    “It was a campaign kickoff,” Marley said. “That’s obvious. They have those at some sort of party, don’t they? Not that I’ve ever been to one.”
    Sykes scrubbed at his eyes. “Where’s Gray? Won’t he be worried about you?”
    “Gray left for his office two hours ago,” Marley said. “Why don’t you just tell me to leave, Sykes? You don’t have to be kind.” She gave a short laugh.
    “Hell, I’m confused,” he said. “I don’t know what the…I don’t know what I’m feeling or why. This isn’t me. You know me. Mr. Cool.”
    “You’ve got it,” Marley said. “The Ice Man.”
    He scowled at her. “Okay. That’s it for the sensitivity session. I got a lousy night’s sleep. I need coffee.” He gave her a significant look. “If I’m allowed to get out of bed, that is.”
    A stricken expression came over Marley’s face. She put a finger to her lips and came to prop herself on the edge of his bed. “Poppy’s out there,” she whispered inhis ear. “I don’t know what’s going on and you don’t have to tell me but you’d better not be rotten to her if you don’t want Ben on your tail.”
    Poppy was out there? “What the hell are you talking about?” he muttered.
    “She’s already been to St. Peter Street. She came to me because she thought I could help find you—maybe. Why would you be angry at her over what Ward Bienville said?”
    “I’m not mad.”
    “Yes, you are. I can see it.”
    He looked around the plain old room with its built-in, painted cupboards and slightly crooked wooden floors. This was a very old building and he liked it here. He would probably be here every night if the whole curse business hadn’t turned him into an angry man. “You think you know me so well,” he told her. “Sykes is the even one. He accepts anything. Rub his nose in it and he just breaks out a new box of tissues.”
    “What?” Marley’s face screwed up with confusion. “What are you talking about?”
    “Forget it. Just get rid of Poppy and let me get on with my day. I’ve got a lot to do.”
    “Poppy said you’re working on something new.”
    Now he really stared at Marley. He never discussed his work. “That’s all I told her,” he said.
    “Sykes, will you tell me why you’re so angry? I’d tell you if something was wrong with me.”
    For an instant he considered it. Then he shook hishead. “Nothing.” This wasn’t something he could share with anyone. He’d supposedly made his peace with being as good as disinherited over the color of his hair and eyes. If he started bellyaching now he’d feel small. “Why would Poppy come to you?”
    “She told you we’ve become good friends.”
    “Good friends who made sure I didn’t know about it.”
    Marley pressed her lips together. She pulled Winnie close beside her. “Poppy didn’t think you’d like it. And before you ask, no, I don’t know why. She’s a really wonderful person but she’s hurting. I think it’s something to do with Ben but she won’t tell me.” She squinted at him. “Now I think it’s something to do with you, too.”
    “Marley?” Poppy spoke from the hall. “Where did you go?”
    Sykes looked at the ceiling. “She’s been standing out there all this time. I’m being tested, but I don’t know why. I’ve lived a good life. I’m a good man and I deserve better.”
    “You’re not and you don’t.” She turned toward the door. “In here, Poppy. Come on in.”
    “Marley!”
    “She’s got brothers. She must have seen them in bed before.”
    “I am not her brother.”
    Poppy stepped through the doorway and stopped, her eyes popping