Dark Passing (The Ella Reynolds Series) by Liz Schulte Read Free Book Online Page A

shape.”
    “Funny, I thought catching killers was more important.”
    Fagan shook his head. “Whoever killed her is a ghost. He’s gone. If we ever had a shot of catching him, we’ve missed it.”
    “That’s what they thought about my husband’s killer, too. Maybe you just haven’t looked at it from the right angle.”
    He leaned in close enough I could smell his faded aftershave. “You really think you can break this case?”
    Out of the corner of my eye I saw Victor lurking in the doorway.
    “Do you need something?” My voice was harsher than I intended, unnerved by Fagan’s closeness.
    “Um, have either of you seen Martha? I just remembered the funniest story.” Victor seemed nervous and fidgety, but I didn’t know him well enough to know if that was strange.
    I shrugged. “Maybe she’s in the kitchen or had to use the restroom.”
    “I’ll check.” He waved and walked out.
    I looked back to Fagan. “I can solve the case.” I spoke with more bravado than I felt. I had no idea what I could do, but I wasn’t going to admit that to him.
    He crossed his arms over his chest. “Care to put your money where your mouth is?”
    I perched a hand on my hip. “You want me to bet on a job you should’ve been able to do yourself?”
    “Sure. You can have full access to the case report at the police station; I’ll even give you an interview room to work out of. If you solve the case, you’ll get the satisfaction of solving the biggest murder Jackson has ever had. If you can’t solve it, I get editorial privileges on your book. I have a reputation to protect after all.”
    “Only where it comes to parts about you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Fine.” I agreed because I wasn’t planning to include his arrogant ass in my book at all. I was telling Mary’s story, not his.
    “Shall we seal the deal with a kiss?” His eyes had a mischievous glint, but I was in no mood to be teased.
    “I wouldn’t take another step near me if you value your reputation and your ability to procreate.”
    “I’m not scared of you.” He moved closer and brushed a hair off my cheek as I glared at him. I held my ground, clenching my fists until my knuckles ached.
    “Am I interrupting?” Gabriel’s voice came from behind me.
    I looked at him with mixed feelings: gladness at seeing him, annoyance about our fight.
    “Not at all. We were just coming to an arrangement,” Fagan said, ease dripping from his words. “The original deal still stands. I’ll see you in the morning, Ella.” He winked at me before he left, never looking at Gabriel.
    Gabriel’s eyes drilled into me until I met his gaze.
    I licked my lips. “What are you doing here?”
    “I didn’t like the note you hung up on, but maybe you had other plans.” He rubbed his hand over his stubble in a tired manner. “What are we doing, Ella?”
    “Is that really what you believe? That I had ‘plans’ with that creep?”
    He looked at the ceiling. “No.”
    I moved closer to him and spoke softly. “Are you trying to start another fight?”
    He shook his head. “It’s not like it’s hard to do.”
    I sighed.
    “I want you to come home where I can watch out for you. Protect you.” His tone matched my own.
    “I don’t need protection.”
    “I never met anyone in more need of protection.” He tilted up my face. “I care about you.”
    My heart fluttered a little, but I beat it down. I was still angry, damn it. “That’s no excuse for smothering me.” I stomped up to my room. Gabriel followed, closing the bedroom door behind me.
    Sitting on the bed, I massaged my temples and waited for the inevitable “me or the book” talk, in which I would choose the book and lose Gabriel. The grief that comes with loss was already welling up inside of me.
    “I love you, Ella,” Gabriel said, shocking me. “And I’m sorry if that makes me overbearing or protective, but I do. I know you don’t want to hear that. You aren’t ready, but I’ve been patient. I need you to