Shadows Read Online Free PDF

her into the small living room, “and I’ll tell you.”
    She insisted on fixing them each a glass of iced tea first. His sweet, the way he liked it.
    Impatient, he sat in the old armchair where she used to read to him. His parents smiled from a silver-framed photograph on a shelf. That was how he had always remembered them. Would it ever be the same after what he’d seen today? His own picture stood near theirs. Age five, posed in front of a vintage television set, wearing a little navy blue suit, saddle shoes, and an uncertain expression. In another, he stood tall in uniform, Gran pinning on his badge at the academy graduation.
    He focused on his parents’ faces. They’d hoped so hard, looked forward to so much. At last he was in a position to make it right—as right as anyone could ever make it.
    She insisted he taste his tea to be sure it was sweet enough, then sat herself down on the little wicker settee facing him. She sipped from her glass and smiled.
    â€œOkay, Sonny. Tell me now.”
    â€œIt’s really good, Gran. You’re gonna be so happy.”
    She leaned forward, face alight with anticipation. “Stop your teasing and just spit it out.”
    â€œWe’re gonna do it, Gran.” His voice was tight with excitement. “We, me, the Cold Case Squad, we’re gonna investigate Momma and Daddy’s murder.”
    Her lips parted but she didn’t speak.
    He gestured toward his parents’ photo. “It’s gonna be hard, but we’re gonna find the SOBs who did it and send them to jail, or to death row. That’s where they belong.”
    â€œYou watch your mouth, boy.” She tried to stand but dropped her glass, splashing the contents onto her skirt. The tumbler fell to the floor, scattering ice cubes as it rolled across the carpet.
    â€œNow look at what you went and made me do!” She seemed near tears.
    â€œSorry. Sit still, Gran. Sit still. I’ll get it.”
    â€œYou’ll cut yourself!”
    â€œNo, I won’t.”
    He scooped cubes back into the broken glass, took it to the kitchen, and returned with a fistful of paper towels. He placed several on her lap, then blotted the carpet and wiped the floor with the others. Unlike her to fuss about a broken glass, but only natural that she’d be startled.
    He disposed of the wet towels and returned. She scrubbed vigorously at her wet skirt. He couldn’t see her face.
    â€œRealize what this means, Gran?” He paced the small room, fueled by pent-up energy.
    â€œOfficially, on paper, I can’t be lead investigator. But it will be me, I’ll be the catalyst.”
    She rose abruptly, wavered for a moment, unsteady on her feet, then left the room.
    â€œGran?” Frowning, he followed her into the kitchen. “We need to talk about everything you remember from that night. Your take on it all. Everything you heard and thought. All the details. Stuff we never really talked about.”
    She picked up a sponge and began to wipe the stainless-steel sink he had installed for her last spring.
    â€œYou and me. We’ll work on it together.”
    â€œNo point digging up old ghosts,” she muttered, scrubbing harder. The sink gleamed, already clean.
    â€œI do that every day, Gran.” He grinned. “It’s my job. We’ve always wanted justice—”
    â€œNot me,” she snapped.
    He stared in disbelief. “Gran, we’re talking about your son, and my mom. Your children. You always said Momma was like a daughter to you.”
    Focused on some invisible blemish on the sink, she refused to meet his eyes.
    He crouched in front of her, took her hand. “What is it? What’s wrong? I need you to help me.”
    Her eyes flooded and he saw something in them, something he had never seen before.
    â€œNo.” Her voice was firm. “The people who did it are still out there. Still evil. The world changes, but they never