Paying The Piper Read Online Free PDF Page B

Jane?”
    “You blame Scott for Nicholas Rooker’s death, don’t you?”
    “It was an error in judgment on your husband’s part.”
    She frowned. “Don’t play coy. I blame him too.”
    Her remark shocked him, but he respected it. No one, not even a spouse, could turn a blind eye to what Scott had done.
    “Scott let his ambition get the better of him and it cost that boy his life, but he didn’t kill him. His mistake was thinking he could deliver the Piper. The Piper killed Nicholas. He knew you would catch Redfern. He could have waited, but he didn’t. He killed that boy for no reason other than spite.”
    It had been a long time since someone had shamed Sheils. He regretted his outburst in the kitchen. “I’m sorry. I deserved that. I do hold Scott responsible for what happened to Nicholas, but I hold Redfern and the Piper responsible too. They all made bad choices.”
    “Don’t you think Scott knows that? A day doesn’t go by without him blaming himself. He wouldn’t be human if he didn’t.”
    “Again, I’m sorry for my earlier behavior. I’ll apologize to Scott in the morning.”
    “I don’t want your apologies. I want you to get my son back.”
    Sheils liked this woman. She was strong. “You have my word.”
    “Good.” She smiled at him. “Can I make you any coffee? Sleep isn’t going to come easy tonight.”
    “Thanks, but no thanks. I was about to go home.I want to check in with my family.”
    He wrapped up for the night and saw himself out. The drive didn’t take long at that time of night. He drove with the window down to refresh himself. The night was mild, the air cool.
    Sheils pulled up in front of his garage and let himself into his house. He loved coming home. Being with his family shut out the cruelty he had to deal with on a daily basis. Years ago, he’d made a conscious decision that when he closed the door to his home, he would slough off the pressures of the job. But tonight it wasn’t working. He’d closed the door, but Sammy Fleetwood’s abduction remained tied around his neck.
    Angela emerged from the living room to embrace him. She smiled at him, but there was pain behind it. “Is it him?” she asked.
    He nodded.
    She sighed. “Why now after so long?”
    “I’ve been asking myself the same question.”
    “Have you eaten?”
    “I grabbed something earlier.”
    “I’ll make you something.” She released him and went into the kitchen.
    He followed her. “It’s too late to eat, and you’ve got work in a few hours.”
    She raided the fridge, pulling out eggs, cheese, vegetables, and sausage. “You won’t be on a nine-to-five for a while. You’re going to have to eat while you can.”
    He surrendered to her good sense, and she put together one of her massive scrambles. It was protein on a plate—something she’d been making for him since before they were married.
    While she cooked, he stripped off his gun, phone, and jacket. He fell into the chair at the kitchen table to watch her cook. He couldn’t remember the number of times he’d told her not to stay up. He didn’t bother anymore.
    She set the plate in front of him andwatched him eat. “So he went after Scott Fleetwood. This is going to be messy.”
    He put down his fork. “Yes. I’m frightened he’s going to kill that kid just because of what his father did.”
    She shook her head. “He won’t even be able to hide in hell if he does.”
    “No, he won’t.”
    “How much is he asking?”
    “Two million.”
    “Do they have that kind of money?”
    He shook his head. “They’re liquidating their lives as we speak.”
    She looked around their home. “I can’t imagine what that would be like. They should make an appeal for donations. This city would give to stop this bastard.”
    “Considering who Sammy’s father is, I can’t see many people donating.”
    She frowned. “How are you with Scott?”
    If he said fine, she’d call him a liar. She’d listened to his rants after Nicholas