Cast the Cards by Shyla Colt Read Free Book Online

smaller office on the opposite side of the room.
    “Welcome
to my office.” The mid-sized room boasted a black desk with a name tag, two
chairs, and a filing cabinet. “Have a seat.”
    She
sank into the seat and he circled the desk, pulling a key from his pocket.
Sitting down, he unlocked his desk drawer. He removed a manila file, placing it
on top of the desk.
    “Are
you sure you’re ready for this?” His face softened and he lowered his voice.
    Gulping,
she braced herself. “As ready as I could ever be.”
    “Is
this the first time you’ve seen the file?”
    The
abundance of compassion made her squirm. If this continued she wouldn’t be able
to get through it. “Yes.”
    “Do
you want to be alone?”
    “No. 
You’re fine. This has to be done correctly. I’ll make sure that happens.” With
you here the chances of tears is much less. I’m not about to be some blubbering
mess in front of you.
    Her
hands were clammy. The file felt cool in her hands, like Clark.  The
impossibility of the situation had her reeling. Taking a deep breath, she put a
tight grip on the meltdown lurking just around the corner in her head and prepared
for the gruesome sight that awaited her.
    She
peeled open the folder, ignored the pictures gathered at the back with a paper
clip. Glancing at the General Report she read.  Savannah M. West. Words she
could handle.  Be objective. The generic jargon listing cause of death,
suspected motives, and eye witness reports told her more of what she all ready
knew.
    Coroner’s
Report . Tension flooded her body. Her mouth salivated.  She
sucked in air through her nostrils and let it out slow. Heart was removed from
the body by a jagged instrument pre mortem. Wings carved onto the back of his
skin with a precise instrument, like a scalpel.  Interlocked symbols
representing the male and female were carved into his wrist.
    Jesus
Clark, what did these bastards do to you?” The imagery
tugged at her brain, but she couldn’t focus. It was like a snowball rolling
downhill. Now that she started on the file, she had to finish, and that meant
viewing everything.
    ***
    Carey
felt like a peeping Tom. The emotions that crossed Savannahs’ face were
powerful. Grief poured off her in oppressive waves, its  tendrils reaching out
in an attempt to ensnare, wrap up him  up  in its binding grip. He pushed back
from his desk and walked to the window. Peering out at nothing, he regulated
his breathing. Automatically his mind began to replay that night. The same way
it always did.
    Summer,
2001
    “Savannah
and I are going to the carnival tonight. Do you want to go?”
    Carey
looked up at his brother from his twin bed and smiled. How could he be so
clueless? The way Savannah looked at him was not sisterly. Perhaps if he
gave them some time alone nature would take its course. God knew Clark talked
about how he felt enough.
    “No,
I think I’ll hang back here. See if there’s a party going.” Give you a
chance to make your move.
    Clark
sighed. “More partying?”  The disappointment in his voice stung. It wasn’t like
his brother to judge.
    “What?”
Carey placed his hands behind his head on the bed. “We’re only going to be
young and free once.”
    “Yes,
but some mistakes can follow you for a lifetime.” Clark stood from the desk and
grabbed the jacket he had draped over the back of his chair.
    “Really,
Clark? You preaching to me now?”  He rolled his eyes.
    “No,
just stating the obvious.” Clark pulled on a brown leather jacket over his
shirt. It got cold here at night.
    “Noted,
but I’m fine.”
    “Your
grades say otherwise.”
    The
matter-of-fact statement raised his hackles. It’s not like I’m failing
everything.
    “Come
on, math was never my best subject. I can make it up later.”
    “You
need to get a handle on your partying and buckle down.”
    “Since
when did you become such a stick in the mud?” Carey sat up in bed, disgusted. “Look.
You do what makes you happy and