Retribution Read Online Free PDF Page B

together. And the way the big man looked at her, something zinged between them.
    “I just thought—”
    “Well, just quit thinking.”
    The disagreement fed Roger’s tension. If there was one thing he did well, it was observe. Any other day and he might have challenged Bill, but not today. He couldn’t risk an out-and-out argument and have to leave the house. Not with Lillian on her way.
    Vibrations as Ted bounced his leg radiated across the porch floor. The iced tea on a stand at Ted’s side rippled, as though a beast approached each time Ted’s heel struck the floor.
    Roger stared at the ripples; in a way, a beast was approaching.
    Ted glanced at his watch. Again.
    “She’ll be here soon,” Bill murmured.
    “I know, I know.” Ted pushed thin strands of blond hair off his forehead. “But Trina’s so much better at this than I am. She usually greets new guests, not me. I just wish she were home.”
    Bill chuckled. “Can’t expect her to miss her own baby shower.”
    “Trina’s having a baby shower today?” Roger asked.
    “You might know these things if you showed up at church now and then.” Humor ringed Bill’s eyes, but Roger knew the man was serious.
    As Roger ran a hand across the dark hair on his chin, he knew to let Bill’s second challenge also go unanswered. Going to church had been his way of meeting Ted and Trina, nothing more. Some may have regretted the trouble the young couple would soon experience because of their guest, but not him. Regret wasted energy and time, both commodities he held close to his chest. At least he had worked out the details to protect them. Killing the family would be wrong.
    He mulled over his personal metamorphosis from a man who pleased into a man who killed. When had it happened? He didn’t see himself as a bad person. There was no lust for blood. And this would be the last time. One more death. That’s all he needed to be finished.
    ~*~
    With the blue light reflecting in her rearview mirror, Lillian eyed the sandy soil beside the road, clenched her teeth, and pulled off. If the car sank to its rims, it wouldn’t be her fault.
    She lowered the window and waited for the smug grin of the small-town cop. So this is my new home, population 6,500. Transported to the 21 st century, complete with speed traps.
    “Ma’am, do you know how fast you were driving?”
    She turned and stared, her eyes level with the officer’s belt buckle. “About 45.”
    “The speed limit’s 30.”
    “But the sign said…”
    The officer bent over and quickly perused the interior of the car before resting his attention on Lillian’s face. “The speed limit changed back down the road a ways, about half a mile. I followed you to see if you’d slow down, but you didn’t.”
    Lillian melted at the sound of his southern drawl, and then chided herself for the stupidity of her emotion. “I missed the sign,” she said, still trying to get a handle on her unexpected attraction. “I’m sorry.”
    The lanky officer returned to his cruiser, carrying Lillian’s driver’s license and car registration.
    Through her rearview mirror, she watched the patrolman’s long-legged stride. Definitely not what she had expected. And cute, too. Shame flamed her cheeks.
    Thirteen hours on the road. I’m almost there. No wonder my mind is acting crazy. And now a traffic ticket. She felt the hardness of the seat against the back of her head. Is it too much to want a quiet life, maybe a house someday and—
    She sucked a lung-full of air as a large hand reached through the window.
    “Sorry ma’am. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    Two deep breaths, and she grabbed the documents secured between the officer’s gloved fingers.
    “I have to give you a ticket, you know.” His breath smelled like mint.
    Passing cars slowed. Their occupants stared.
    “You’re from out of town.”
    She looked up at the officer, shielding her eyes against the pulsing light. “I’m from Ohio, Cleveland, actually.”
    He