Killer Dreams by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online

“Her name was in Sanborne’s files, both past and current.”
    “How do you know?”
    “Nate Kelly. He’s a good man. He doesn’t make mistakes.”
    “That doesn’t mean he might not interpret what he finds incorrectly.” He turned to Sophie. “Is Michael okay?”
    She nodded jerkily. “But there’s a dead man in my bedroom.”
    Jock looked at Royd. “One of your men?”
    “I don’t kill my own men,” he said sarcastically. “He got here ahead of me. He was going to take her out. I couldn’t have that. I needed her.”
    Jock’s gaze shifted to her. “Sophie?”
    “He killed him.”
    “Who’s the man he killed?”
    She shook her head. “I don’t know.”
    “Then I think I’d better take a look.” He took Sophie’s arm. “Come on. Let’s get off the porch. You don’t want the neighbors curious.”
    She didn’t move, her gaze on Royd.
    “He’s not going to hurt you,” Jock said. “It’s a misunderstanding.”
    “Misunderstanding? He killed a man five minutes ago.”
    “And saved your neck,” Royd said coldly.
    “Obviously for your own purposes.”
    “Absolutely.”
    “Royd, she’s not the target,” Jock repeated. “When I get the chance, I’ll explain it to you. In the meantime, back off.”
    Royd stiffened. “Are you threatening me?”
    “Only if you don’t back down. But it would be stupid for us to pit ourselves against each other. We’re on the same side. In fact, I’ve been trying to track you down for the last few days.” He made a face. “And I’m not sure I could take you. MacDuff has seen that I haven’t had any practical experience for a good while. And you’ve lived a life that definitely keeps you sharp.”
    “Don’t bullshit me. You were the best and you don’t forget.”
    “We’re on the same side,” Jock repeated. “Give me some time and I’ll prove it.”
    Royd didn’t want to give in to Jock, Sophie thought. She could see the tenseness, the violence brimming beneath the surface. For a moment she thought that violence would erupt and then he turned abruptly and started back down the hall. “Take a look at the body. If he was professional, he let emotion get in the way. He was so angry with her that he didn’t hear me behind him.”
    “I don’t want this Royd in my house, Jock,” Sophie said. “I don’t care what’s between the two of you. It’s not going to affect me or my son.”
    “The devil it’s not.” Royd whirled, eyes glittering. “You’re in this up to your neck and everything I do from now on is going to affect you. You’d better hope that Jock can make me believe what he’s telling me. It’s not likely.”
    “Easy.” Jock pushed Sophie into the house and closed the front door. “Sophie, go make a pot of coffee while we go check out your intruder. You look like you could use it.”
    “I want to go with—” It was a lie. She didn’t want to see that murderer with the bloody knife sticking out of his chest again. And it would be of no purpose. “I’ll go do another check on Michael and meet you in the kitchen.”
    Ten minutes later she was putting the coffee on and trying to regain her composure. Lord, she was shaking so badly she wouldn’t be able to hold a cup without spilling it. Reaction must be setting in. She’d be fine in a minute. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After her parents’ deaths she’d had months of periods when she’d lost control. But she was strong now and that man meant nothing to her but a threat.
    Blood gushing from that bloody wound. Senseless. Senseless. Senseless.
    No, she wouldn’t lose control. She was fine now.
    “Sophie?” Jock was coming into the kitchen.
    She opened her eyes and nodded. “I’m okay. I guess it brought back a few memories.”
    “What memories?” Royd asked as he came into the room after Jock.
    She gave him a cool glance. “None of your business.”
    “Go to the bathroom and get cleaned up.” Jock handed her a white blouse he was carrying.