A Whisper in the Dark by Linda Castillo Read Free Book Online Page A

but I have no earthly idea.” She watched him compare the letters. “What do you think?”
    “I’ll tell you what I don’t think. These letters don’t have anything to do with your father. These letters are about you.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “These messages are too personal, with too much focus on books and writing. That leads me to believe it has to do with you or your shop.” His gaze met hers. “Someone put some thought into these letters. Someone who knows old books and wants to convey a message to you.”
    Julia suppressed a shiver. Not because his words were a surprise, but because she’d already drawn the very same conclusion. “Who would do something like this? I mean, who would go to this kind of trouble?”
    “Someone who’s fixated. Obsessed. To him, it’s not trouble. It’s a compulsion. Judging from the dates on these letters, that compulsion is pretty powerful. See the dates?”
    He was right. The last two letters had been delivered just two days apart. “Why is he doing it?”
    “Evidently he’s unhappy with you because of something he perceives that you’ve done.” Intensity shone in his eyes and for a moment he looked very much like a cop. “Any idea what that might be?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You sure?”
    “Of course, I’m sure.” She pressed her hand to her stomach. “Do you think it’s someone I know?”
    “Most stalking victims know their stalkers,” he said. “I would venture to say this person has at least met you. We’re probably talking about a male.” He shrugged. “Could be a customer. A vendor. Someone you’ve come in contact with through the shop. Anyone come to mind?”
    She shook her head. “I can’t imagine anyone I know doing something like this.”
    “Has anyone shown an unusual amount of interest in you? In the shop? Spending an unusual amount of time here?”
    “No.”
    “What about boyfriends? Neighbors? Any suspicious people hanging around the shop?”
    “No and no.” She laughed, but heard the tension in her voice. “And half the people in the Quarter are suspicious-looking.”
    He smiled, but the humor was thin. “No recent falling out with anyone? Disgruntled employees? Have you fired anyone recently?”
    “Claudia and Jacob are my only employees.”
    “Who’s Jacob?”
    “He’s my part-time clerk.”
    “Is he religious?”
    “He goes to church.”
    John pulled out a small pad. “What’s his last name?”
    A rise of annoyance had her shaking her head. “There’s no way he’s involved in this,” she said.
    “Won’t hurt to run a background check on him then, will it?” he asked and waited.
    “Brooks,” she said after a moment.
    “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
    “I’m not trying to be difficult. I just know he isn’t involved.”
    “Yeah, well, that remains to be seen.” Frowning, John looked down at the letters, his brows knitting. “There’s a common theme to these letters.”
    “I’ve noticed,” she said. “They appear to revolve around sin and redemption. Punishment. Revenge. Absolution.”
    “And death.” The muscles in his jaws worked as he seemed to consider that. “Do you carry any risqué or controversial books?” he asked. “Anything that might offend someone? Anger someone?”
    “Well, I have a first edition of Sir Richard Burton’s translation of the Kama Sutra . Some Victorian erotica. Oh, and I have a copy of Fanny Hill that was published on the black market in 1898. First edition.” A priceless book and one that had caused plenty of controversy over the years, but Julia knew in her heart it wasn’t the book that had angered the letter writer.
    “Do you have a Web site with an inventory of books?” he asked.
    “I’m working on it, but the site isn’t up yet.”
    “If a book or author you carry is, indeed, the reason behind the letters, that means the letter writer has been in the shop or somehow knows your inventory.”
    Gooseflesh raced up her arms at the