The Rhythm of Rain Read Online Free PDF

hand over his face. He sat down beside her again.
    "Look, all I want to know is why," he said.
    Jaron was unable to keep the tone of his tortured voice even. For years she was all he had thought about. He had been bewildered at first. Then he grew hopeful. She had been a child; she had been scared; but as she grew older she would tell them. All Jaron had to do was wait a little longer… just a little longer . Until he finally realized she would never come forward. But why hadn't she?
    "I swear, Jaron, I don't remember that night."
    "Your dad was shot. The apartment was set on fire. Your mother escaped with you. It was storming. She ran into the street screaming for help, but no one wanted to go against Carver and his gang." Rain was shaking her head no. "Damn you, remember it!"
    "What happened after you left me?" Rain said. Her voice was small.
    "I led Carver away. Police cornered us. Carver told them I killed your mother. He said it was my initiation into his gang. Her blood was all over you so it was all over me when I picked you up. The gun was never found. No witnesses ever came forward to dispute Carver. My mother had no money for bail. I had a shit lawyer who hated pro bono work but did it to impress some woman who left him halfway through my trial. I was tried as an adult and was found guilty. I got fifteen years. Carver got twenty for killing your dad and starting the fire, but he was paroled two weeks ago."
    "If you got out three years ago, why didn't you ask me then?"
    "It takes money to track someone down. You think anyone would hire me? Your grandfather made sure you disappeared off the face of the earth. I became a private investigator."
    "You found me for Carver?" she whispered.
    "I found you for me, on Carver's dime," Jaron snapped. "Why the hell not?"
    "What does he want? Who is this Mr. Carver?"
    "Hell, he's no mister," Jaron said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "He's called 'Carver' because he likes to slice people into itty-bitty pieces." Rain shivered. "The bastard wouldn't tell me what he wanted with you. When I found out Carver was getting out of jail, I offered him my services. You never said a word to spring me and he knows it ate at me—even more than his lies. His I understood; he was a shit then and still is. Why not take the bastard's money? But I swore to myself before I let him kill you I wanted to know why you never said anything."
    "Did it ever occur to you if I saw my parents murdered I might be traumatized?" Rain snapped.
    "I don't believe you," Jaron said angrily. "You and I are going back, Rain. We're going to retrace that night, and if you don't remember now, you will. There's something more to this. Something Carver wants and knows you have it or can find it. I want it. Consider it payment for services rendered."
    "What services?" she asked, glaring daggers at him.
    "For saving your life twice and giving up half of mine."
    Jaron tied her ankles together and gagged her. For a moment he stared openly at her exposed breasts. He saw a red hue creep up over her jaw line. The last time he had seen her she was little more than a baby. She was all grown up now in all the right places.
    Jaron's heart was pounding. Ever since he had seen her dance in the studio after he had looked through her purse for her address, he had felt his hands sweat. She was a beauty; she had met her beast.
    "We're going back tomorrow," Jaron told her quietly. "You either miraculously remember what it is Carver needs, or he'll help you remember when I hand you over to him."

Chapter Five
    The car bounced over the potholes and uneven pavement. This part of the city was so poorly kept Rain was amazed it had pavement at all. It was obvious Jaron had a destination in mind. The sky was darkening overhead as another day came to a close. Jaron parked the car in a seedy back alley and faced her.
    "Ring any bells?" he asked.
    Rain didn't answer. For most of their trip Jaron had regaled her with prison exploits. She could see