Blood Bond (Anna Strong Chronicles #9) by Jeanne C. Stein Read Free Book Online

right. Your father and I love each other. Very much. And I love you, too, and I hope you’ll let me become a real part of your family.”
    John-John throws his head back and holds out his arms to his father so that in the next instant we’re tangled in each other’s arms.
    I can’t remember ever being so happy.
    * * *
    IT TAKES HARRIS TO BRING US BACK TO EARTH.
    After breakfast the three of us trek to the office so I can officially introduce Frey and John-John to David and Tracey. A fishing boat is coming back to port and we’re all on the deck, watching seagulls dip and swoop for chum, when the front door to the office opens.
    David glances in, then gives a low groan. “Shit. It’s Harris again. Remember what I said, Anna, tell him you’re about ready to sue for harassment.”
    I leave everyone on the deck and go inside. “What is it now?” I ask.
    He’s looking through the slider to the group outside. “Good. I see Daniel Frey is here. I have some questions for him.”
    “How did you know he’d be here?”
    But even as I ask the question, I can guess the answer and the idea of a harassment suit becomes more appealing.
    “You’re having me watched?”
    He holds up his hands. “All legal and aboveboard. After all, we’re investigating two open cases and you admit you and Frey were around for both.”
    John-John bounds in and runs up to me. “Anna, Anna—come back out, the birds are catching fish right out of the air.”
    Harris bends down. “And who is this?”
    I have to fight the impulse to physically place my body between Harris and John-John. Instead, I do the next best thing. I pick him up. “John-John, this is Lieutenant Harris. He’s a policeman. Lieutenant Harris, this is Daniel Frey’s son.”
    Harris looks surprised. I guess the fact that Frey has a son slipped his mind. I set John-John down and turn him back toward the deck. “Go get your daddy, will you, John-John, and ask David to come here a minute?”
    When he’s scampered off, I direct my fury to Harris. “I’m going to ask David and Tracey to take John-John for ice cream. Don’t you ask a single question until they’re gone, do you understand?”
    Harris returns my glare but does as I ask. I tell David what’s going on and he and Tracey leave to take a giggling John-John to the ice cream shop at Seaport Village. Then Frey and I face Harris.
    “Does he know why I’m here?” Harris asks, jerking a thumb at Frey.
    “He does,” Frey answers, and I’m suddenly glad I took the time last night to fill him in. “So if you have questions for me, ask them.”
    Harris plops himself down on David’s desk chair. I take my own. Frey pulls the visitor’s chair to my side of the desk.
    “Judith Williams,” Harris begins. “What do you know about her?”
    “Nothing.” Frey leans back in his chair. “Anna and I ran into her in Monument Valley. Anna introduced us. It was the first time I’d ever seen her.”
    “So you didn’t know her personally?”
    “No. Should I have?”
    “What were you doing in Monument Valley?”
    I wonder how Frey will answer but he doesn’t even hesitate before telling his story. “Anna and I went to visit my son. He lived on the Navajo reservation with his mother. While we were there, John-John’s mother was killed in an accident. I stayed on to care for him. Anna came home.”
    Harris’ eyebrows jump. “Another accident?” He makes a show of taking a notebook from his pocket and scribbling a few words.
    I shake my head. Our friend, Kayani, will be getting another call, I’m sure. Harris’ next words confirm my suspicions.
    “While you were both there something else happened, too. Judith Williams went missing. I understand you were questioned about her disappearance by an Officer Kayani of the Navajo police.”
    Frey nods. “I was. Briefly. But since I couldn’t help with the investigation, Officer Kayani didn’t question me again.”
    Harris shifts in his chair. “What about Warren