The Investigator Read Online Free PDF Page A

worked. The room was pleasantly warm, cozy even. Clad only in her underwear, she curled up in a ball and replayed the afternoon’s events.
    He’d known she lied about calling Darryl. She’d seen it in his eyes and in the subtle turning down of his mouth. It wasn’t like she hadn’t tried to build up the courage. She just hadn’t been able to bring herself to do it. Each time she picked up her phone to dial Darryl’s number, panic had stiffened her fingers and nausea had choked her throat.
    Even now, congealed fear moved in the pit of her stomach, sliding with insidious intent through her veins. For almost a decade and a half, it had been ever present inside her, but from the moment she realized she’d have to return to Watervale, it had intensified into cold, stark terror.
    Rage exploded inside her, white-hot and searing. She hated the power he still held over her. She thrashed against the feelings of helplessness and panic, rolling across the bed with her arms locked hard around her waist. She wasn’t a child anymore. She wouldn’t let him best her. Not again.
    Never again.
    Fierce determination surged through her. Pushing herself upright, she reached for her phone before her courage withered. Her heart hammered against her chest. She could almost smell her fear.
    She’d do it. For her mother’s sake, she had to. It was obvious the police weren’t going to help her. Just as she’d always known, she was on her own. She dialed his number with fingers that trembled.
    * * *
    Riley strode through the doorway of Watervale’s local drinking establishment and waved to Sonia from across the room. Although there was a golf club on the hill that catered to a more upmarket clientele, he preferred the dimness and casual camaraderie of The Bullet. Besides, he could always catch up with Sonia here. She worked the bar four nights a week. Her friendly brown eyes lit up as he approached.
    “Hey, there,” she greeted him. “How was your day? It looks like you could do with a beer.”
    He smiled his thanks and pulled out a stool, resting his elbows on the bar. “You know me so well.”
    “Not as well as I’d like to.” She winked and her gaze lingered on the open expanse of skin at the base of his neck and then moved lower. “I’m always happy to extend our acquaintance.”
    He grinned and returned her once-over. The low-cut black top she wore was covered in sequins that sparkled under the overhead lights, drawing attention to her generous cleavage, as it was no doubt meant to. A short black skirt molded to a sweet ass and was complemented by a pair of black fishnet stockings.
    They’d first swapped stories over the scarred wooden bar on his second night in Watervale and Riley couldn’t deny he’d felt a spark of interest. It had been months since he’d parted ways with Iris. His ego might have taken a bruising, but he was still a man with physical needs that he’d ignored for far too long.
    Sonia’s cute button nose and spontaneous smile was just the medicine he needed after the uptight austerity of his ex. Iris had even controlled their most intimate moments, directing the how and where and when until most of the fun and all the impulsiveness had been taken out of it. Looking back, he couldn’t believe he’d put so much time and effort into the relationship. He almost felt sorry for the man she’d left him for.
    Pushing the memories aside, he picked up his glass and took a healthy swallow. The beer was cold and refreshing and slid easily down his throat—a welcome feeling after the day he’d had.
    Images of Kate Collins immediately clamored for attention. She was beautiful, in a cool ice-blonde untouchable way. But then she’d gotten angry and her controlled facade had cracked. Passion, albeit anger, had flamed in her eyes—eyes so wide and blue he’d felt lost in them. Even now, the thought of her made his pulse race. His response to her hadn’t helped his objectivity and that had irritated him all