Bayou Heat by Georgia Tribell Read Free Book Online Page B

they didn’t negotiate us down.”
    “That’s a definite plus.” Rob didn’t like this at all
because when LD skirted an issue, it was a whopper.
    “The firm can really use the extra cash flow.”
    “LD.”
    “Okay. This job is sort of a favor for a friend of my
father’s.”
    Great, Rob thought as the words sunk in. He was grateful for
the work the governor sent their way, but not the extra stress that always came
with those assignments. “Cut to the chase, LD. Who is bankrolling this little
nightmare?”
    There was a long stretch of silence followed by two words.
“Al Criswell.”
    Rob gripped his phone so hard he was surprised it didn’t
crack. “As in the self-made, ball-busting millionaire who has his finger in
almost every business deal that goes down in this town, Al Criswell?”
    “That would be the one.”
    Rob stood for a moment, letting that bit of news sink in.
“Let me guess, Criswell is Eris’ sugar daddy?”
    “No, she’s his granddaughter.”
    Rob closed his eyes. They could all but kiss their business
goodbye if anything happened to Eris. “That explains the money, but why all the
subterfuge?”
    “You’ve met Eris. Criswell says she’s more hardheaded than
he is. He tried to ship her off to Europe after Orbit’s death, but she refused
to go and told him to stay out of her business. If she gets wind he has
anything to do with this, she’ll decline our services.”
    Rob rubbed his eyes, hoping the pain he felt behind them
wasn’t the start of a headache. “Bottom line—is there any real threat to her or
not?”
    “There haven’t been any threats made, but as far as anyone
knows, there wasn’t one made against Orbit before she was killed. The police
seem to think Orbit stumbled across some information and before she could
contact them, she was murdered.”
    “And if the killer thinks Eris knows anything, he’ll be
coming after her.”
    “She claims to know nothing that the police haven’t already
been told, but she has been extremely vocal about finding the killer. She was
even quoted in the paper two days ago saying she wouldn’t rest until the beast
was caught and punished. To say the least, Criswell is worried about her.”
    “So Criswell went behind her back, pulled some strings,
twisted some arms and poof , here we are.”
    “Al Criswell isn’t someone any politician wants to anger,
especially when he’s friends with the current governor. So the chief of police
agreed to this little game of cat-and-mouse in hopes of keeping Eris safe and
not angering Criswell,” LD answered. “Look,” he added, “I need to get going,
but there is one other piece of information you need.”
    Rob knew before the words were said he wasn’t going to like
this. “What?”
    “Criswell will be calling you periodically for updates. I
gave him your cell number.”
    “You did what?”
    “Sorry, man, but Marie’s calling. Later.”
    Rob closed his cell phone and promised himself that tonight,
after Matt arrived, he would head straight to LD’s house and have a long talk
with his partner. But first, it was time to deal with the girl they’d found.
    He hoped Debra was dressed and ready to talk. Opening the
door, he stepped into the room and immediately his wishes went up in flames.
Eris stood next to the bed tugging on the cover while the girl held her ground
and refused to budge.
    “Debra, would you please get up and put some clothes on?”
Eris’ voice was tight and controlled.
    “Look, crazy lady, I already told you I’m not going with
you. I’m not going back to my parents’ either, they don’t get me. Now leave so
I can get dressed and get the hell out of here.”
    “Do your parents beat you?” Rob’s words obviously startled
both women because they stopped their battle over the sheet and turned to stare
at him.
    Debra blinked at him a couple of times before answering.
“No.”
    “Are you being sexually abused at home by either of them or
another person living in the