Double Cross by DiAnn Mills Read Free Book Online

words tore at her heart, frightening and bold, a combination that unnerved her. “I’m here to discuss an FBI matter.”
    “Alone?”
    “I’m working on an elderly fraud case that implicates you.”
    “Impossible.”
    She unfolded the e-mail and pushed it to where he could read it. “The encoded message at the bottom is very much like the one you used with your men. Note the Greek numbers and Latin letters.”
    Not a muscle moved on his face.
    “I know you recognize it, and your memory hasn’t changed. What does it say?”
    “Not today, sweetheart. Besides you’ve already figured most of it out. I have no idea about any elderly fraud case.”
    She swallowed her ire. “Are you working a scam while praising God?”
    He pressed his lips together. “No.”
    “Why’s the encryption so much like yours?”
    He didn’t blink. Only stared.
    She kept her attention on him. Two could play this game.
    “I can’t help you,” he said.
    “Why? If you’re serious about the faith thing, then wouldn’t you want these innocent people protected? The victims are elderly with dementia. A man is dead, possibly because of this scam.”
    “I do care, but the situation’s complicated.”
    “Like your bank account?”
    He shook his head. “Some areas of my life are private.”
    “What can I say to convince you to cooperate?”
    He sighed. “Nothing.” He stood and nodded at the guard.
    “I’m prepared to make an offer.” Laurel was feeling desperate, grasping at straws.
    “What kind?”
    “Recommend parole.”
    He laughed. “And who will keep me alive? You? I’ve seen you in action, Laurel.”
    “You have my word. Help the FBI close in on the fraud case, and I promise to help shorten your sentence.”
    “You gave me your word when you said you’d marry me. What’s the difference now?”
    “This has nothing to do with back then. But if you won’t assist in the case, I’ll do everything in my power to block an attempt at parole.” She paused for him to consider her offer.
    “I’ll think about it. This would be the deal   —you don’t pull the trigger on me, and I’ll do my best not to pull one on you.”

CHAPTER 7
    6:50 P.M. THURSDAY
    Abby Hilton linked one arm with Earl’s and the other through Daniel’s before walking across the parking lot of the funeral home. All around her were old, blue-haired people wobbling in like it was their last day. A lot like her, though she’d never admit it. Seemed like they were attending more and more of these things, but then age had a way of catching up with you.
    Hadn’t she just talked to Tom earlier this week? He thought she was his sister, but that didn’t matter. He laughed. Drank lemonade. Talked about living on a farm and milking cows.
    Now he was in eternity, mind and body healed.
    As they entered the funeral home, Abby squeezed Earl closer to her. Maybe she could prolong the inevitable, the passing from one life to the next, leaving her empty and alone. Memories were supposed to suffice.
    Hogwash.
    A woman couldn’t cram seventy years into a thought that had no body. She couldn’t spoon up to a warm husband and feel his love from every pore of his skin. Smiles were priceless, and a camera could never catch the special ones meant only for her since she was a girl.
    Death. Who needs it? She lifted her chin. She and Earl would go together. Daniel shouldn’t have to take care of them likechildren when he needed his own wife and kids. She swallowed the emotion threatening to dissolve her. Life and death were a part of human existence. Birth came with joy, and most deaths were a celebration of life . . . when they occurred naturally. That ushered in again her fear that Tom’s heart attack had assistance. Had Russell Jergon collected on a life insurance policy?
    She shivered. If that were so, then who’d be next? Jerks. She might go after them herself. All her life, she’d faced challenges with faith and resolve, but this was different. She couldn’t