Before I Wake by Dee Henderson Read Free Book Online Page A

snow clears you can have a set of keys. Until then, we rough it in yours or take my Caprice.”
    “I’m upgrading the Lexus to something with less miles on it just as soon as I get settled in here. I didn’t want to pay the district tax.”
    Rae picked up a toothpick at the counter and a copy of the free town advertiser in order to read the ads later. She pushed open the door. She pointed to her car and dug the keys out of her pocket.
    “It’s going to take a while to adjust to a small town where everyone listens in. You were getting a lot of attention back there and speculation about that bruised face.”
    “You’ll get use to the attention. The best defense is to never explain; they add to the facts anyway.”
    * * *
    Rae drove at the speed limit through town and turned toward the highway. “So what do you see me doing this next week and month?”
    “Whatever interests you. This is a job, Rae, but it’s also a slice of freedom. You can acquire your own cases or share the work on mine. We’ll be partners all the way down the line. I figure it will take a couple weeks for you to decide on housing and get an office up and put together. Your work with your uncle is going to be event driven, so we’ll let that govern how you split your time during the week.”
    “They’ve got a murder/suicide cleanup to deal with; I figured I would join them Monday to help out.”
    “All I ask is that you carry a good cell phone so I can find you.”
    “I turn it off when I’m having an interesting discussion with someone.”
    “I remember. I can shout at your voice mail.”
    She laughed and sorted out change for use later on the toll roads around Chicago. “It’s good to be back, Bruce.” There was something so comforting about the oldest of friends. For the first time in months she was with a friend she knew cared more about her than a case outcome. And there was something refreshing knowing Bruce had already encountered most of her bad habits, and would be more amused than offended when they inevitably reappeared.
    “I’m glad you decided to say yes. I’ve missed having a partner who can talk through the cases, debate the details, and keep me company when the stakeouts last all hours. You’re going to let me pick up the tab for really nice office furniture too and not fuss about it.”
    “That kind of welcome gift I’ll accept.” And it fit his nature; he was generous with his friends.
    Rae glanced over at him. In years past she had been able to read him, but it was a skill she would need to reacquire. She felt a sudden uncertainty, that the gap between what she was certain of with him and what would have to be rediscovered after eleven years apart, might be vastly wider than she realized. People changed. Not allowing for that would be devastating if they took a misstep. “Bruce, one caveat? For now, it’s just business.”
    Bruce just smiled. “Noted. Give me a few months to catch up on your last eleven years and then I’ll think about changing your mind.”
    She wondered if when he knew the details, if he would still be of that mind-set. He had an image in his mind that was frozen from years ago, and so much about her had changed in those years. Maybe not in appearance, in habits, or in the memories they shared, but inside—she was nothing like the lady he remembered. She knew the changes had gone too deep in how she saw things in the world around her. Too many betrayals and hurts and failures had left their scars. The optimist he remembered had died a long time ago. “I hope you’re not disappointed with what you find.”
    “I won’t be,” he reassured.
    She studied the road and traffic ahead of them and smiled. That self-confidence fit what she remembered. He probably hadn’t changed as much as she had, which was a good thing.

5
    Rae strapped on her watch and reached for her worn tennis shoes. This hotel had to have some sort of exercise room with a treadmill or bike. She shoved her room key into her