Assassin Deception by C. L. Scholey Read Free Book Online Page B

you were always eating…everything. I used to hide my hair ribbons. I’m surprised your father has any furniture left.”
    “Hey, I left him a few bookends and the dining room table. Besides, the hair ribbons were too chewy, and the white ones had no flavor at all.”
    “Are we headed back to the house or will you spring for lunch? Remember, I’m unemployed now, no cash flow,” Chloe said, looking at him dryly. He still had the same old humor.
    “Liar! I know very well Dad adds to an account regularly that he has set up for you. You are so spoiled.”
    Chloe smiled up at him sweetly. “I guess I’ll just have to add James to the new list of men I’m going to marry, since he takes care of me so well.”
    “Oh, no you don’t! I’m finally at the head of the line for once,” Damien said, chuckling. He then grew serious. “Listen, babe, we need to do lunch at the house. Dirk wants you close until he can figure out what’s what. You know he’s like a big, ugly dog with a bone when something doesn’t add up.”
    “In other words I’m his prisoner until he’s satisfied no one will eat me,” Chloe grumbled, annoyed. She wasn’t a child, after all. She had gotten by without contacting them for six whole months.
    “Not necessarily. We do have a Wolf at our house,” Damien said cheekily. He snapped his teeth together, then growled at her.
    Chloe punched him in the gut. Damien groaned and laughed heartily, then pulled her into his arms, snuggling her. “Humor me, please? Just until Dirk’s satisfied it was a one time deal, please, please, please. ”
    “Fine,” Chloe said on an expelled breath, annoyed, though somewhat mollified. “But can I make tacos? Your dad’s idea of lunch and mine differ substantially.”
    “I was hoping you would say that,” Damien replied on an air of excitement, rubbing his hands together. “I love your cooking. Pheasant under glass is fine once in a while…but tacos are decidedly better!”
    * * * *
    Chloe had been staring at the cover of the black book for over an hour while in her room. She paced back and forth, agitated, across her spacious bedroom. The hour had grown late and she had retired for the night. Dirk was still away and Chloe had grumbled once more at not being allowed to wander the town. She was, after all, a grown woman. She wished Dirk would hurry up. Sighing, she realized Damien was right. Dirk wouldn’t be satisfied until every stone had been overturned and examined beyond critically.
    Finally, and with some misgiving, Chloe picked up the black book and settled into bed with it. She gathered the covers around her, huddling under for the protection they seemed to give. She pulled a velvety, old floppy-eared dog under her arm, a long ago birthday gift from Dirk. Taking a deep breath, she opened the book and began to read.
    January, what a roller coaster of a month. Five hits already. Every mark worse than the last. Some so damned young. Iron Hand is merciless. He nags about my drinking, but man oh man, with what I’ve seen and done, he’s lucky I’m not in the nuthouse.
    That last chick was a real shame, pretty little thing too. I hated to see her cry. She was so scared and helpless, begging me not to hurt her, but hell, he wanted her done. I felt for her and did her quick after shooting her up so she would be asleep and not feel anything. I wonder if she told him no and he got pissed. Oh well, it pays the bills and I ain’t the kinda person stupid enough to ask dangerous questions.
    Chloe bowed her head into her hands . Her father had murdered women . What was next,cripples,children, babies?She knew she should throwthe book out. Give it to Dirk or Damien, flush it down the toilet, burn it. Why was she tormenting herself with it?
    Suddenly she had a terrible insight. She wondered if her mother had read it. Thinking hard, she had a vague recollection of the book being held in shaky, slender hands. Her mother had read it. No wonder she went crazy. Chloe was