Heart of Lies by Jill Marie Landis Read Free Book Online Page A

off in the direction of New Orleans and wondered what was keeping the twins.
    She was headed back inside when she heard someone shout hello. Maddie walked through the house, picked up her shotgun, and made sure it was loaded before she went out the back door. She wouldn’t hesitate to use it.
    A stranger stood on the small trail behind the house that led through the marsh and out to the road to Clearwater. He was leading a fine chestnut horse that was worth a pretty penny. His eyeswere hidden beneath the shadow cast by the wide brim of his low-crowned hat. Dark stubble covered the lower half of his face. All she could tell from a distance was that he had a straight nose, even features, full lips, and the slightest cleft in his chin. His looks gave her pause, and she studied him carefully. He was handsome, she’d give him that. She’d married a man with similar dark hair and eyes — but the last thing she needed or wanted right now was a man.
    “Hold it right there, mister.” She aimed the gun at his chest and held it steady.
    He slowly raised his free hand to his hat and pulled it off in a move that gave her a better look at his face. His hair was black; so were his brows. They had a slight cynical arch to them. His eyes were dark, and even though he was a few yards away, his gaze held hers longer than she liked. Long enough to make her uncomfortable. His eyes kept his secrets well hidden.
    His smile was slow in coming and fleeting when it finally appeared. He took her measure as sure as she took his. His expression was unreadable.
    “Are you the Grande twins’ sister?” He put his hat back on, his gaze returning to the shotgun in her hands.
    “Who wants to know?”
    He sure didn’t have the look of any lawman she’d ever seen, but a body couldn’t be too careful. His jacket was raggedy, his trousers worn and stained at the hems. His brown, watermarked boots had seen better days, and there was a rusty spot on the front of his shirt that very well could have been blood. She made note of his sidearm. Even without a weapon, he posed a threat.
    “My name is Tom Abbott,” he said. “Lawrence told me where to find you.”
    “He’s not here.”
    “I know. That’s why I’m here.”
    Maddie’s heart stumbled. “What about?”
    “Terrance is in jail.”
    Terrance in
jail
?
    “What about Lawrence? Where is he?”
    Still clutching the reins in one hand, he took a step toward her.
    She leveled the shotgun. “Hold it right there and start at the beginning. I’d just as soon plug you as not, sir. The gators around here are not particular about what they eat,” she warned.
    He stopped moving.
    “Mind if I at least tether my horse?” He studied the cabin behind her and then met her gaze again. She shifted the weapon, using it to point out a hitching post to his left.
    “Throw down your gun first,” she ordered.
    He nodded to show he understood. Her hands tightened on the shotgun as he slowly reached for the handle of the Colt and slipped it out of its leather holster. Bending his knees, he sank low, stretched out his arm, and carefully set the weapon on the ground.
    “Go on, then.” She indicated the hitching post again with a tilt of her head. “Tie up your horse.”
    He led the animal to the post, looped the reins, and then glanced again at the cabin. She ignored his curiosity.
    “Now start talking,” she ordered.
    “Your brothers were suspected of kidnapping. They were wanted for questioning by the New Orleans police.”
    She tried to hide her shock. The twins had always gotten away with their crimes. What he told her hardly rang true.
    “You keep saying ‘were.’ Did they confess?” Careful, Maddie warned herself. Be very careful. “Where are they now?”
    “Well, as I said, Terrance has been jailed.”
    “For kidnapping?” She hoped she looked disbelieving. She could see Abbott was hedging.
    Finally he said, “For resisting arrest, shooting a police officer, and murder. He hasn’t confessed