Twisted Hunger Read Online Free PDF Page B

into law enforcement because of a misspent youth or to try to do something about Pablo’s murder, but that was what Luke believed. Either way, Terrell hadn’t taken the coward’s way out, as he had. Terrell faced real danger every day of his career and always kept an eye open to any clue that might have a connection to what Luke had seen so long ago.
    Of course, Terrell had repeatedly insisted the whore could have mistaken Pablo for Luke in the dark, but that wasn’t remotely possible with him, so he had nothing to fear from her. The genetic combination of his black father and Mexican mother had resulted in very dark skin, soft features and a broad-shouldered, six-foot three-inch frame.
    “The Lakers could drown your lame-ass Hornets before they figured which end their stingers come out of. I can’t believe you’re still rooting for a team that left Charlotte years ago!”
    “It’s the team, not the city.” Luke’s mood improved the instant he heard Terrell’s voice. “I thought you got off the night shift.”
    “I did, but I’ve got a new case… Oh, that’s why you’re calling, isn’t it?”
    “Yeah. I was wondering if you thought it would do any good for me to come out there and see you for a while… if there’s anything I could do to help.”
    Terrell was silent for a long time. “You’ve never wanted to talk about it before, even with me. What’s up?”
    “I don’t know. I just feel like I have to do something now.”
    “I’m not sure what you could do, but it would be great to see you. When does the school term end?”
    “My classes are finishing up this week. I was thinking of flying out next Wednesday, after Memorial Day. Will Nita mind my camping out at your house for a week or so?”
    Terrell laughed. “I doubt it… since she doesn’t live there anymore.”
    Luke didn’t know whether to laugh or offer sympathy. “What happened?”
    “I’m not really sure, but she had me served with divorce papers here at my desk a few weeks ago and was moved out by the time I got home.”
    “Which probably wasn’t ‘til several days later if you were on a case. Jesus, Terrell. That makes three now, doesn’t it? When are you going to learn that you don’t have to marry the tree to enjoy the fruit?”
    “What can I tell you, man? I’m an optimist when it comes to romance. I just haven’t found my soul mate yet.”
    “And you probably won’t as long as a good murder case can make you forget about the rest of the world.”
    “You sound like Nita… or was that Rosalie? Or Debra? Anyway, I’ve got another call. Let me know when you’re landing and I’ll pick you up.”
    Luke snorted, knowing that Terrell would probably forget that promise as well if he got busy.
    * * *
    Terrell surprised him the next week by not only remembering but being on time. “I have the day off,” he explained. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t call me if something comes up. If we just weren’t so damned shorthanded all the time…”
    As they headed for the baggage area, Luke asked, “Do you think you’d work this hard if you could nail Pablo’s killer?”
    “Huh?” Terrell looked at him as if he’d lost one or two important marbles.
    “I’ve been thinking about it a lot the last two days. You know, why you and I do some of the things we do. If I had come forward back then, and if they had caught that crazy broad, would you have still become a cop and would I still be jumping out of airplanes and hanging off cliffs?”
    Terrell smirked at him. “First you’re nagging at me like one of my wives and now you’re playing amateur shrink. Don’t go there, man. It’s a no-win situation to rethink what’s already past. Just make up your mind about what you want to do today then do it.”
    “Okay. I want you to line up every hooker in L.A. and let me look each one in the eye until I find the one I saw that night.”
    With a slow shake of his head, Terrell said, “It’s been a hell of a long time,