Bikinis in Paradise (Tj Jensen Pardise Lake Mysteries) by Kathi Daley Read Free Book Online Page A

the sheriff’s office, and her good friend, Roy Fisher, had made a trip out to the resort for nothing.
    “ When Roy showed up, everything was already under control.” Tj giggled. “I really am sorry I didn’t think to call Hunter back right away to clear things up. My main concern at the moment was to get our furry guest out of the door before the cats noticed him. Any way you deal that hand, it wasn’t going to turn out well.”
    “I talked to Roy this morning. He said he almost had a heart attack when Hunter called in a panic. They both expected to find you dead on the floor .”
    “I think I owe Hunter big -time for putting him through that. Roy too. At least you weren’t on duty, so you were spared the panic.”
    “Yeah.” Dylan signed and leaned back. He took a sip of his coffee and stared out at the lake. Tj would give a week ’s pay to find out what he was thinking, but in the months she’d known Dylan, she’d learned it was better not to ask.
    “It really is a beautiful morning,” Dylan commented as he p oured his second cup of coffee, conveniently redirecting the conversation.
    “It’s a shame you have to go to Reno. It looks like we’re in for a spectacular day. Hopefully the weather will hold. Are you excited that it’s finally time for your sister’s visit?”
    “Honestly?” Dylan looked Tj in the eye. “I have mixed emotions. On one hand, I’m really excited to see Justin. I’ve missed him so much. And Allie too. It’s just that I know how important this visit is. If I can’t convince them to move here, I’ve pretty much made up my mind to go back to Chicago.” Dylan placed his hand over Tj’s. “I’ve built a life in Serenity that I love. I’ve met people I care for and are important to me. The thought of leaving fills me with sadness, but the idea of Justin growing up without me is unbearable.”
    “I’m sure Allie is going to love Paradise Lake .” Tj tried for a level of certainty she was far from feeling.
    “Yeah, maybe.”
    “The house looks fantastic. You spared no expense or effort in making both your sister and your nephew’s living space warm and inviting, and the property is right on the waterfront of one of the most beautiful lakes in the country; how could she not want to stay?”
    Dylan had bought a dilapidated yet large house right on the lake and had spent the entire winter fixing it up. The house had six bedrooms and five bathrooms , so there was plenty of room for his sister and nephew to move in with him and his dog Koda. It was a beautiful location, perched on the edge of an isolated cove. The beach, as all the others in the area, was considered public, but few sun seekers bothered to make the drive to this cove, which was situated a good distance from restaurants and public facilities.
    “We both know that for Allie , it’s more about security than comfort,” Dylan pointed out.
    “I know .” Tj felt tears start to form in the corners of her eyes as she stared into the flickering fire. “I suppose that arriving in the middle of a murder investigation isn’t exactly the situation you wanted to greet Allie with.”
    “I agree that the timing isn’t the best. Not that the timing of a murder investigation involving such a young woman is ever the best.”
    “Maybe we can find the killer and wrap it up today. Your sister might never even need to hear about it. It’s not like Allie knows people in town who might talk to her about it.”
    “Trust me when I say I know what’s at stake here. But I can’t lie to Alli e. She’ll find out about Tonya’s death. I think its best that I tell her right away so she doesn’t think I’m trying to hide things from her. I’m just hoping that she’ll fall in love with the place and look past the fact that Paradise Lake isn’t immune to tragedy.”
    “Look at it this way,” Tj said, trying for an optimism she was far from feeling. “You are making progress. It wasn’t that long ago that she didn’t want