Shattered Dreams Read Online Free PDF

natural, he noted, glancing at her and taking pleasure in the view. He couldn’t get over how much she resembled Crystal. Like her twin, Claire was stunning with show-stopping beauty that prompted men to pause and take notice. The two sisters together could cause accidents.
    Totally fascinated, he watched while she scanned the horizon with beautifully shaped jade eyes, her best feature on that heart-shaped face with its faultless, creamy complexion. Her hair whipped about in the wind, thick and wavy with a rich auburn color. And he’d have to be dead not to notice the curvaceous and generously endowed figure standing at the helm.
    When the boat heeled over, slicing through the water at a good clip, her sad smile crept into place and his curiosity soared.
    “I see you’re a seasoned sailor,” he said as he plopped down across from her.
    “I’ve loved to sail from the first moment my dad took my sister and me out.” She placed a hand in front of her eyes, blocking the sun. “We were both five. Crystal’s not into it . . . tends to get seasick.”
    “What about your husband?”
    Claire’s gaze wandered to a pelican flying overhead. Her smile faded.
    “Does he enjoy sailing?” he asked.
    She reached for her sunglasses but hesitated to put them on. Jason couldn’t help noticing her unsteady hands as she slid them into place. She was definitely uncomfortable.
    “This is my boat, not Carl’s. He hates to sail.” He didn’t miss the irritation she projected in her voice. “He’s into power and speed, even on the water. He was only along on our sailing trip to please me. Like I said, we were in the process of working out some problems.”
    When Jason remained silent, simply watching her, she looked away again. She closed her eyes and took a breath, but it did nothing to stop the bit of red stealing up her face.
    “Is this part of your tactics?” she snapped, eyes blazing anger. “Pumping me for information on my marriage to see if I stabbed my husband?”
    “Part of the job. You seem evasive.” He shrugged. “As if you have something to hide. And when I feel someone’s hiding something, I ask questions.”
    She snorted but didn’t reply.
    “I’m only looking for motivation into why your husband might disappear.”
    “Motivation . . . such an interesting word,” she said softly. “Carl couldn’t have done this. That location?” She nodded in the direction they’d come. “It’s one of my favorite spots, has been for years. It’s why I keep Solitude in Key Largo and make the long drive south on weekends. I like my solitude. I anchor there a lot, usually by myself. Yesterday was the second time Carl’s been on the boat. He had no idea where we were anchoring.” She studied the horizon intently. “Of course, those little details don’t bode well for me now, do they?”
    “No. I’d say we’ve got a real mystery on our hands. And too many questions. Starting with where is he, and ending with why you don’t remember what happened. And we can’t forget the blood and the knife.”
    She sighed. “God! Maybe I did do something.”
    “Do you have a violent temper? Or any history of violence in your past?”
    “No.”
    “There you go. Past behavior is a good indication of future behavior. Let’s talk about Carl.”
    “Can we do this later? I have a horrendous headache. I really don’t want to go into Carl and his past behaviors right now, if you don’t mind.”
    Wondering about her tormented tone, Jason focused on her until she looked up. Once she did, he held the connection to try to figure her out, as if peering into her eyes could tell him what she wouldn’t. Then he broke eye contact and turned his head toward the water.
    • • •
    Without his penetrating stare, Claire breathed a sigh of relief. For the hundredth time, she asked herself — where in the hell was her husband, and what in the hell happened last night?
    “Let’s wait and see what the investigation turns up, shall