Blackmail by Robin Caroll Read Free Book Online

blared at full volume.
    Caleb had come home from school.
    Quickly dressing in jeans and a T-shirt, she stuffed the blackmail letter into her pocket and headed down the hall. Even if her brother wasn’t responding to her attempts to bond with him, he was involved with what tormented her mind. It was time to seek his input. She couldn’t do this alone.
    She entered the living room to find Caleb watching yet another music video channel. “How was your day?”
    He grunted, his attention focused on the flashing lights on the television.
    She withdrew the envelope from her pocket just as the video spewed out a tirade of profanity.
    Gritting her teeth, Sadie fought to disguise her annoyance. “Caleb, you know the house rules—nothing with profanity.”
    â€œFine. I’m going to my room. At least there I can listen to what I want.” Caleb pressed the remote and moved to stomp down the hall.
    â€œWait.” Her voice echoed loud against the sudden silence. “I need to show you something. Talk to you about it.”
    Caleb let out a heavy sigh and faced her. “What now?” Belligerence creeped into those two words like a bar’s neon sign.
    With a trembling hand, she passed him the envelope. “I received this yesterday.”
    He scanned the letter, the obituary, and stared at the picture. “Who is this?”
    â€œA guy who worked for my company, but I didn’t know him personally.”
    What felt like an eternity later, he lifted his gaze to hers. The indifference he normally wore like a shield had morphed into something else. Hurt? Shock? “Where’d you get this?”
    Little pinpricks dotted Sadie’s arms. “It was in the mailbox yesterday.” She swallowed hard. “But I don’t understand. You just got here. No one knew you were coming to live with me.”
    He tossed the envelope’s contents onto the coffee table and ran a hand over his face. “I sure didn’t tell anybody and I don’t know anyone in this nothing town.”
    She eased to perch on the arm of the chair. “Then who knew you were here? What do they want?”
    He shrugged.
    â€œI’m open to any ideas.” Sadie clasped her hands tightly in her lap.
    â€œSorry, don’t have a clue.”
    â€œCaleb, we’re in this together.”
    â€œI don’t know what you want me to say.”
    What could she do? She gave him a shaky smile and rested her hand on his shoulder. He didn’t flinch away. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it.”
    â€œCan I go to my room now?”
    Tears burning her eyes, she nodded. He ambled down the hall. Moments later, his door slammed shut and earsplitting music once again filled the house.
    Sadie hauled in a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose.
    Dear Lord, I sure could use some help.
    Nothing but the thumping beat of Caleb’s music answered her, but she knew she wasn’t alone, and that knowledge comforted her. With a sigh, she shoved the letter, picture and clipping back into the envelope. She worried the corner with her thumbnail as she considered her options.
    She had no choice but to wait and be contacted again.
    A sensation of helplessness washed over her. Waiting. That particular virtue had never been her strong point. Now she had no choice but to wait and see what happened next.
    Wandering into the kitchen, she tossed the envelope on the counter and began to prepare supper. Caleb’s attitude about the letter gave her some hope—at least he talked to her instead of at her. Maybe they could create a normal sibling relationship after all. Hadn’t Pastor Bertrand told her to look for the blessings in every situation?
    A pounding on the front door rose over the beat of the music.
    Her heart quickened. Were the blackmailers here with their demands?
    Sadie shook her head, mentally chiding herself. Blackmailers were cowards who wanted something for nothing.