Keeley Thomson (Book 3): Mistress of Souls by P.S. Power Read Free Book Online

boxes of clothes and other things already set up. The sex books and toys that Keeley really didn't want to know about most likely. She could take those to the dump she decided. The Goodwill didn't need to see that either.
    On the edge of the bed Sherry sat, crying softly.
    "I don't... I tried to be what he wanted. I really did. I did everything. I didn't even have friends so he wouldn't worry. What else was I supposed to do? Why did I fail?" She wasn't really talking to her daughter, Keeley knew, but the words were said out loud anyway. She resisted giving the answer.
    It wouldn't help in the long run. Sherry knew what it was anyway. There was nothing she could have done at all. She'd done it all, perfectly. It wasn't about her, it was a problem that Charles had brought with him into the marriage and could never let go of.
    She sat on the bed and hugged her mother to her closely, trying not to notice the wash of pain and more complex emotions coming off of her.
    "It's alright. We'll be fine." She murmured the words for a while until her mother, exhausted, finally fell asleep hours later.
    Keeley finished the packing silently and moved everything to the garage by four in the morning. Then she took half an hour to pack up Freida the cream colored Volkswagen van and got everything situated. There was a lot of it, and the chair didn't fit at all, but she could set up someone to come take it away.
    There had to be a service for things like that, didn't there?
    Then she did homework until it was time to leave for the day, forcing herself to be cheery and awake with a few minutes of focused concentration. Then she made breakfast. There was a lot to do, but being hungry wasn't going to help her do it better. She made pancakes and eggs. A lot of them and ate enough that she almost took the edge off the constant hunger for a while. She'd stop for donuts too, she decided and on a whim decided to get enough to share with the police at the station, since it was on the way. It wouldn't hurt to make some friends there anyway.
    She left a bit of a mess in the kitchen, but ended up not having time to fix the room again. She felt bad leaving it that way, but had to go. The early morning took about as long as she figured it would, slowed only by the fact that she didn't know any of the police on the early morning shift at first. The desk sergeant looked at her like she was trying to poison him and tried to not take the three boxes she'd brought in. That lasted until another officer walked in behind her.
    It was the good looking one that Darla was grooming for something. The badge said his name was Richards, but they'd never been introduced.
    "Miss Thomson? Is everything alright?" He actually sounded concerned that it wouldn't be, so she smiled, forcing herself to really feel it.
    "It sure is. I saw you on television yesterday. You made it sound like that poor druggie practically killed me or something. It was more like he grabbed the purse, then hit his head on the ground. Not a lot between the two. How is he anyway, do you know?" She didn't really care if she hurt him, but looking like she did would make her seem like a good person. Appearances mattered.
    The officer grimaced.
    "Concussion. He had to spend the night at the hospital. He'll live but I bet he thinks twice before trying to do a snatch and run." He eyed the donuts and pointed with one finger, his face pleasant.
    "Those for me? From the good bakery too..." He was teasing, but still moved to take the top box.
    Keeley handed all of them to the officer, laughing as she did.
    "For everyone, but yes. Bavarian Cream in the top box, make sure the Chief gets one, they're his favorite. Now, are both of you coming to the Halloween party, the one for the whole town? I expect a good turnout from the force. Make sure everyone knows that or I'll... I don't know, come and pout at them I suppose. Kind of limited options as to what to do since I don't know them, but you're all expected." She included