Clarity by Kim Harrington Read Free Book Online Page B

avoided them at all costs. Anytime Stephen got into trouble, Cecile dealt with it by pretending it had never happened.
    She took off her oversized Hollywood sunglasses and peered at the small crowd that had formed in response to Stephen’s outburst. Her eyes said “move on.” And they did.
    She whispered something in Stephen’s ear, and he immediately slunk over to the nearest bench and sat down.
    She turned back to us and spoke softly. “You’ll have to excuse my son. I think the election has put all of us under stress lately.” She smiled delicately.
    Then, as quickly as she had materialized, she was gone. What could have been a knock-down, drag-out fight (my money was on Perry, by the way) ended as quickly as it had escalated. Cecile came off as classy and mildly apologetic and before we knew it she’d steered Stephen away like a naughty little boy who had to go home.
    “Let’s head back,” Perry said, putting one arm around me and one around Mom.
    “You two go on,” I said. I wasn’t in the mood for a movie at home anymore. “I’m going for a walk on the beach, to clear my head. I’ve got to meet with Justin and Gabriel first thingin the morning and start working on finding Victoria Happel’s killer.”
    Perry’s arm fell from my shoulder.
    “What?” I asked. “You know Justin asked me to work with the police on this case.”
    He only nodded.
    What was his problem? Then, it hit me. Always the over-protective brother.
    I reached up and patted him on the head. “I’m not going to be in any danger, Perry. Stop your worrying.”
    With that, I turned on my heel and followed the sound of the pounding surf.
    I’ve always loved the ocean, the smell of salt in the air, the sand under my feet, the wind in my hair. Justin and I had spent many days at the beach. He’d given me my first-ever kiss over by the jetty. I had realized I was in love with him while we held hands under the boardwalk. Even in winter, we’d strolled across the sand, laughing as the wind whipped our hair into our faces.
    I could have stayed with Justin. He wanted to stay together, swore he would never cheat again. Things would have been easier on me if I’d stayed. But my pride wouldn’t let me. I broke up with him and returned to untouchable status.
    I didn’t go to the beach for a month.
    I was glad to return now. The first time was bad and I’d shed a few tears, but now the beach was mine again and Icould ignore the memories of Justin and focus on the beauty of the ocean.
    I sank down onto the sand and closed my eyes. I was so focused on the rhythmic push and pull of the tide that I didn’t hear footsteps behind me. I didn’t know anyone stood over me, until two hands squeezed my shoulders.

SEVEN
    I BOLTED UPRIGHT.
    Perry backed up, hands in the air. “I figured you heard me coming.”
    I put a hand over my heart. “No, I didn’t. You scared me.”
    “Sorry.” He sat on the sand facing me. He looked strange, his eyes dull, his face slack, as if he were in shock.
    “What are you doing out here? I thought you were going home.”
    He turned away and looked at the sea. The light of the half-moon shimmered on the ocean, giving the small waves a metallic look. “Kind of calm tonight, huh? Not that choppy.”
    Nice dodge. I paused and waited for him to answer the question. When he didn’t, I said, “You’re acting weird. What is it?”
    He turned back to me. “I was with a Vicki Saturday night.”
    I rocked back in surprise. “What? Who’s Vicki?”
    “I was with a girl Saturday night. She was eighteen. I never got her last name, but her first name was Vicki. Short for Victoria, I guess.”
    I swallowed hard. “A tourist?”
    “Yeah. She took me back to her motel room.”
    “Don’t tell me.” I put my hand up in front of my face. If he didn’t say it, then it wouldn’t be true. If he didn’t say the words, then maybe this wasn’t happening.
    “King’s Courtyard.”
    My stomach twisted. “Who was she here