Blood of Cain (Sean O'Brien (Mystery/Thrillers)) by Tom Lowe Read Free Book Online Page A

be anywhere.”
    I watched her staring at my hands, her thoughts remote. Then she raised her riveting eyes up at me like she was looking through me. She lowered her eyes to the pendant that hung from a chain around my neck. “What is it, Courtney?”
    “The pendant you’re wearing … can I ask where you got it?”
    “It was a gift from my mother. The last thing she gave me before she and my father were killed in a car accident. That’s been many years ago.”
    “It’s great that you still wear it.”
    “I’ve worn it so long I don’t even think about it.”
    She was quiet, her eyes narrowing and falling to just above my heart. I said, “When I offered to help you, it was to give you a ride into town. You really need to take all this to the police. Tell them what you saw when your friend was killed at the carnival. If you run, it’ll look very suspicious in the eyes of a county prosecutor. Tell them what you know.”
    “I don’t know anything, especially like who killed Lonnie. You did more than offer to give me a ride to town, you saved my life. Those two men would have killed me. I do know that. Maybe it's some kind of weird destiny thing, but I don't believe you just happened by last night.”
    “What do you believe?”
    “That sometimes, in some places, stuff happens ‘cause it was supposed to happen. I believe there was a reason we met on the road in that forest. I don’t know what it is, but I think the reason might be bigger than you pulling those men off me.”
    I was silent, watching her body language, fingernails bitten down, red nail polish chipped. She looked up as a white pelican alighted on the canvas top of an adjacent boat. I could see the frightened young girl's face in the pretense of the bold disguise she tried to wear.
    She said, “But I don't know the reason I'm here. Maybe it's because I have no place else to go. Maybe it's because you might be the only one who believes I didn't kill Lonnie, and somewhere inside of me something tells me that you might help find who did. Lonnie, was a carny, so the cops won't do much, except say I did it.” She bit her lower lip for moment. “You found me in the forest walking in the dead of night. Maybe you can help me find my uncle. He took something from me, but he took something from my grandmother, too. I'll never replace what he stole from me, but I might get back what he took from her, the gold Celtic torc she wore all her life. I feel so freakin' self-conscious even coming here. I'm sorry.”
    “I wish I could help you, but I’m not a police officer. I’m not a private detective. I’m just a guy teaching part-time at a local college.”
    “What do you teach?”
    I started to change the subject, and then said, “Criminal justice.”
    “Were you a cop?”
    “Once.”
    “My instincts were right.”
    I said nothing.
    “I’ll pay you. I don’t have much money now, but I have strong principles and work ethic. I’ll pay you for your time.” Max jumped up next to Courtney and rested her chin in the girl’s lap. She scratched Max behind the ears and said, “This little dog is smart. I wish I’d had a dog when I was a girl. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come here. I apologize for wasting your time.” She stood to leave.
    “Just sit still a minute,” I said, looking to her left, down the dock toward the Tiki Bar parking lot. Two police cruisers and an unmarked car pulled into the lot. “Sit back down, Courtney.”
    “Why?”
    “Unless you can swim across the bay, there’s no place for you to run. The police just got here. And they're coming this way.”
    “I don't know what to do?”
    “Yes you do. Tell them the truth.”

10
    Two Volusia County sheriff's deputies walked down the dock next to a detective. As the three men approached
Jupiter,
Courtney and I were standing in the cockpit waiting for them.
    “Here, Courtney, take this.”
    “What is it?”
    “My business card.” I handed it to her. “It says Sean O’Brien …