Pushed Too Far: A Thriller Read Online Free PDF

felt like an idiot.
    She was being too sensitive to Olson’s deference to the chief. Oneida’s, too. With only forty-eight hours, she didn’t have time for ego. She couldn’t allow hers to get in the way. “I appreciate the help, Jeff.”
    “Happy to give it. To tell the truth, I’m a little sick of retirement. Never thought playing cards would get old, but I guess you live and learn.” He reached out a hand and patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure it out.”
    She had to smile at the we. They only needed Olson here, and it would be just like old times. “I hope you’re right.”
    “Me, too.” His smile faded before hers. “If we don’t come up with anything, and Dixon Hess gets out …” He shook his head. “After seeing what he did to that girl in Nebraska, I doubt a lawsuit will be enough to satisfy him.”

Chapter
Five
    B y the time Val reached the morgue, the numbness in her hand had inched to her elbow, and the sun was already in the western sky. She was late, she was cold, and she was teetering closer and closer to the edge of desperation.
    Monica Forbes stood beside the ridiculous old hearse Harlan had bought from a local funeral home for his personal vehicle, her arms wrapped around herself as tightly as the scarf wrapped around her head.
    Slipping into an empty space, Val unlocked the passenger door for the assistant district attorney.
    Monica slipped into the seat, closed the door, and shivered. “I know this is going to feel warm by the time we get to January, but I’m freezing.”
    “You should have waited inside.”
    “Can’t stand the smell. Besides, I wanted a chance to talk to you … unfortunately
not
about the sex I had last night. Have you ever used a rabbit vibrator?”
    Monica had been discovering the overabundant joys of sex since she’d met a man three months ago, a guy she was now engaged to marry. Val used to tease her about it, at first, now Monica tried to beat her to the punch and brought up some new experience every time they talked. “What happened?”
    “Well, it’s ribbed and—”
    “With the case, Monica.”
    She shot Val a fleeting grin, then became dead serious. “Tamara Wade filed a habeas corpus motion on Hess’s behalf at three o’clock yesterday.”
    “That’s less than an hour after we found the body.”
    “Makes you wonder, right? I mean, did she have a draft ready to go? Was she just waiting for Kelly Lund’s body to be pulled from the lake? Maybe you should find out if she has an alibi.” Monica arched an over-plucked eyebrow.
    Of course, they didn’t yet know if Kelly’s death was homicide. It could always be suicide or even a drunken accident. At least she could hope.
    The thought of having two murder investigations on her hands made Val’s head spin. It wasn’t that she doubted her department. Lake Loyal had a damn good PD, and she’d worked her ass off to make sure it had only gotten better in the past six months. But Lake Loyal was a small town. Her department was set up to enforce traffic laws, defuse domestics and crack down on drunk drivers, not investigate multiple homicides.
    Val didn’t have a clue how she was going to come up with the manpower. She’d have to go to the county for help.
    “You have Jane Doe?” Monica glanced into the back seat, the slight flinch on her face suggesting she was hoping not to see the bones loose on the back seat.
    “She’s already in the morgue.”
    “Then I’m sure Harlan has identified her and we can just wrap this up.” Monica shot her a grin. “I’m an optimist.”
    “At least one of us is.”
    The sunny expression slipped from Monica’s face. “I also wanted to warn you that I’ve heard rumblings.”
    “Let me guess. Lawsuit? Investigation?”
    “Everyone expects Hess to sue. There’s a cap as to what he can get from the state, but I don’t think anyone’s worried about the money. Not really.”
    “They want someone to blame.”
    “And you and I are in their