Blood And Bone by Dawn Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

wasn’t about to wait around for some psycho to rape and murder her at the side of the road. She threw the car into reverse, turned to look over her shoulder, but a large, square face pressed against the driver’s side window stopped her.
    Not Tic, but the man’s grim expression did nothing to alleviate her growing anxiety. He moved his fist in tight circles, motioning for her to roll down her window. At least she hoped that’s what he was doing, and not threatening to punch her in the face.
    “I have a message from Heddra Grey,” he said, voice muffled through the glass.
    Shayne nipped at her lower lip, her heart beating frantically. Still, this was the closest she’d come to actually speaking to Heddra Grey. She pressed the power-window button, lowering the glass a half inch. “What message?”
    “Mrs. Grey asks you stop work on your book. Her daughter’s loss was a painful event. She feels the past is best forgotten.”
    He couldn’t have told her this over the phone? Or approached her in a well-lit public place? She recognized an intimidation tactic when she saw it.
    “You work for Mrs. Grey, Mr.—?”
    “Hudson. My name is Hudson.”
    “Mr. Hudson, I have no intention of dropping this story. However, I would very much like to speak to Mrs. Grey about her daughter’s death. This could be an ideal opportunity for her to gain a sense of closure. Perhaps I could arrange an interview. I have a card here.”
    Shayne leaned down to retrieve her bag from where it had fallen off the passenger’s seat and into the foot well. A metallic thud rattled the car. She jumped and glared at the man outside. Hudson stared back, his fist resting on the hood.
    He better not have dented her car. She started to tell him, but his lips pulled back from his teeth in a feral snarl that turned her blood cold.
    “I don’t think you understand—” he began.
    “No, you don’t understand,” Shayne cut in with a bravado she didn’t quite feel. “This story is going to be told with or without Mrs. Grey’s consent. If she would like to contribute, I’d be happy to speak to her. Tell her she can reach me through her family’s realty office. Now. Move. Your. Car.”
    For a long moment, Hudson peered at her without speaking. Shayne tried to swallow, but her mouth had gone dry. At last, he straightened and turned away. As he marched past the front of her car, he swung his leg out. A hollow pop followed by tinkling glass reached her ears, and one of her headlights went dark.
    “Son of a bitch!” She didn’t dare get out of the car, though. She was mad, not stupid.
    He folded himself into the Rolls, pulled the car forward and drove away. Shayne stayed where she was until his taillights disappeared into the darkness. Once certain he’d gone, she climbed out to inspect the damage.
    The rain had tapered off to a fine drizzle, the droplets clinging to her hair and skin. She barely noticed as she ran her fingers blindly over the wet hood. The smooth metal sloped in a distinct dip.
    The bastard had dented her car.
    She trudged to the front end, her feet sinking in the mud. The remaining headlight cast a faint glow over the splintered plastic edging the dark hole of the broken lamp like jagged teeth around a gaping mouth.
    Great. The perfect end to her day.
    The sucking slop of footsteps in wet mud rose from the surrounding black. The hair on the back of her neck bristled, and a chill tickled along her spine.
    Was it Hudson coming back to finish her off? Tic?
    What was she doing standing around out here anyway? A woman alone, late at night, on a deserted country road, during a thunderstorm? The scene had slasher flick written all over it.
    She started for the driver’s side door, but a low moan rose up from the darkness.
    The wind? Had to be. Still, she picked up her pace.
    The moan came again, louder this time. Shayne stopped and turned. A dark, hunched figure staggered toward her.
    “Christ.” She gripped the door handle and yanked