Dead Running by Cami Checketts Read Free Book Online Page A

“And no fingers,” Fine muttered.
    My throat tightened. I coughed once. “Excuse me?”
    “The man’s fingers had been removed. Add that to no facial features, no teeth, no match of his DNA to anyone in our system, and no missing persons reported . . .” Detective Fine’s voice trailed off as he was rewarded with a glare from his partner that would’ve frozen a barbecue grill.
    The room turned so cold I had to pull one of Nana’s afghans from the rack near her chair. Wrapping my legs underneath my body, I piled the afghan over me. It didn’t help much. “Why would somebody do such a thing?” I asked.
    The detectives exchanged a look. Detective Shine shrugged. “Who knows? Cassidy, did you notice anyone strange at the race?”
    “You think one of the runners killed him?”
    “Maybe. Approximate time of death was only an hour before the race started.”
    I shuddered from my grown-out roots to my chipped toenails. Neither of the detectives said anymore. I sat there and thought about the race. Anything unusual? Jesse and Damon both sought me out. That was unusual. But my police protectors wouldn’t be interested in either of them like I was. Then I remembered two other men.
    “There were two Nasties,” I murmured.
    Fine and Shine exchanged a look.
    I elaborated without their prompting. “You knowugly dudes who stare. The big one got too close and tripped me.” I burrowed deeper into the afghan. “I saw them at Café Sabor later that night. Just the way they looked at me.” I shivered again.
    Shine made some notes then focused on me. With much detail, I started describing Nasty Muscle Man. Near the end of my monologue, the back door popped open.
    “Hello,” Nana called out. “Are those good-looking detectives here to see us again?”
    “I’ll text you the rest,” I muttered, Nana did not need additional stress.  
    Detective Shine handed me a business card. “I understand.”
    Relief washed over me. Maybe I should rename him or maybe I could explain to him that Shine was for Knight in Shining Armor, not his shiny head.
    Nana floated into the room. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”
    Detective Fine stood and received the standard hug. “Just coming by to check on our favorite girls.”
    I marveled at their understanding of my need to protect Nana. Even though I dreaded seeing this pair of detectives, they really were wonderful men.
    Nana blushed. “Well, you must be hungry. Cassidy, why didn’t you feed the detectives?”
    “Waiting for you to come be the Happy Hostess,” I muttered.
    She frowned at me but lost her glower when she refocused on the detectives. “Well, you’d better come in this kitchen and let me take care of you.”
    Shine and Fine dutifully followed. I stayed behind to catch my breath. No face, no fingers, and no missing body reported. Had the Nasties killed that man? I prayed it was just coincidence that I'd run into those two twice, but feared I hadn't seen the last of them.

Searching for Support
     

    Raquel studied my training schedule with a wrinkled brow. “You have to start this when ?”
    I paced the length of her living room, needing my sister-in-law’s support, but somewhat prepared for her to second Nana’s opinionI was a nut job. I gnawed at a hangnail. Raquel usually believed in me, but this marathon idea was insane. At least that’s what everyone kept telling me. I squared my shoulders and pried my finger from my mouth. Nana and Tasha not supporting me just gave me more incentive to succeed. Impressing Raquel, and even though I didn’t want to admit it, my dead parents had been the initial motivation, but now I was determined to prove to everyone I wouldn't quit.
    “The race is on October 4 th ," I said, "so I’ll have to start the first of June.”
    Her head jerked up. “The marathon is on October 4 th ?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “I'm due the 15th.” Raquel gripped the sides of her chair. “What if I come early again? You were the only reason I got