The Killers Amongst Us: Chimera Dawn Chronicles Read Online Free PDF

calling back at the
vets later,” Shaw said.
    “Who is it?” Amy asked.
    Shaw covered the mouthpiece.
    “Old Mrs. Fletcher.”
    Amy wrinkled her nose.
    “Well, I just think she should phone her customers if she
has other business,” said Mrs. Fletcher
    “Maybe you can suggest that to her when she arrives.”
    Shaw heard a grunt and the line cut. He shook his head and
replaced the handset.
    “What’s her problem this time?” Amy asked.
    “The vet hasn’t opened up and she has an appointment with
her cat, Montague.”
    “Look on the bright side, at least you won’t be climbing
ladders,” she said, and then laughed.
    “You can laugh. Anyway, how did your sleepover at Louise’s
house go?”
    Amy’s cheeks flamed, and she shuffled on her seat.
    “I... I passed the vets earlier and her bedroom curtains
were closed. Maybe she’s overslept. Anyway, got to rush, I’m going camping over
the weekend with the gang.”
    Her avoidance of his question didn’t go unnoticed, nor the
fact that Ted Carter had driven her home and was waiting outside. He found it
hard to remember she wasn’t a little girl anymore. Perhaps she detected a look
of hurt that he felt, he couldn’t be sure, but Amy walked around the desk,
threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek.
    “Are you sure you’ll be okay on your own?” she asked. “I’ll
be taking Gyp with me.”
    He knew what she meant, but they never talked about it, just
as she never talked about her not wanting to celebrate her birthday again.
    “I’ll be fine, you enjoy yourself, sweetheart.”
    She released her hold, then walked out of the office with Gyp
in tow. He heard them running up the stairway to their apartment. The pull of
the JD beckoned, but a more powerful urge rolled over him. He took the
opportunity of Amy collecting her camping gear to head outside to Ted Carter’s
SUV.
    “Mr. Shaw.”
    “Ted. Where is it you’re going camping?”
    “Breakers Lake area, sir.”
    “I take it you have your own tent?”
    “Yes, sir. I’ll be collecting it on the way past my cabin.”
    “I don’t have to remind you that that’s my daughter you’re
dating?”
    “No, sir.”
    “Good. Just think on, you’ll have me to answer to if... you
know... anything should happen.”
    Shaw rested his hand on his pistol handle and sent Ted a
stare.
    “I’ll make sure she comes to no harm, sir. I promise.”
    Shaw wasn’t happy that she was running with someone three
years her senior, but he hoped that he got the message.
    “What are you two talking about?” Amy asked, as she opened
the back door of the SUV and threw in her tent and backpack. Gyp jumped on the
back seat and Amy closed the door.
    “Just saying, black bears are around this time of year, so
don’t leave food scattered about. Have you got your cell phone?”
    “Don’t worry, Dad, yes, I have my cell phone and it’s fully
charged. There are six of us and Gyp. We all know to be careful. Besides, Ted
has his rifle.”
    He followed her around to the passenger door and opened it
for her. Amy gave him a cuddle.
    “I’ll be fine, Dad. It’s you I worry about.”
    “Don’t worry about me, I’m sure I’ll find plenty to keep me
occupied.”
    Amy climbed onto the passenger seat and he closed the door
for her. Shaw tapped the roof of the car and stood back. She blew him a kiss as
they set off. His eyes moistened as they drove away. He stood watching them until
the SUV was out of sight. Shaw walked back to the office entrance, where he
stopped. He slapped his thigh.
    “Damn, Ted doesn’t live in that direction.”
    He wished Cath’s sister were around as he entered his office.
He wondered if maybe should give Mary a call for advice. Ted was Amy’s first
serious boyfriend, and he was finding it hard to let go. Ted had lied to him
about the tent. More to the point, Amy had lied to him about the sleepover.
Maybe they were white lies to save everyone’s embarrassment, but a lie was a
lie in his mind. Passing