Lethal Legacy by Louise Hendricksen Read Free Book Online

Don't you?"
    With a sad smile, he nodded, started the car and pulled back onto the road.
    The road dipped into a rocky ravine darkened by pendulous fir and cedar boughs. The
     purple-shadowed forest reminded her of the hikes she and Nathan took while searching for
     her friend, Simon.
    â€œDo you ever see Kittredge?"
    Amy flung him a startled look. Had he read her thoughts? “Almost every week. He's staying
     at Dad's house on Lomitas Island."
    â€œI see.” Nathan veered through the last switchback, came out on the crest of a hill, and
     headed down into a wide, flat valley. “Still working for Global News?"
    She shook her head. “He's taken a leave of absence to write a book.” A wan smile spread
     across her face. “Weekends, he and I build a fire on the beach and talk half me night.”
     She swallowed into a dry throat. “It's a good thing our place on Lomitas is secluded.
     The arguments we have would wake the neighbors."
    Stony-faced, Nathan peered out the window. “So you're still mothering him."
    She regarded him for a long moment. “Sometimes, I just need someone I can talk to.” She
     pointed ahead. “The lot where we're meeting Dad is on the right."
    Nathan parked the car near B.J.'s van and cut the motor. “You can always reach me at the
     lodge, you know, or at Dr. Chamber's cabin."
    She stared at him, anger heating her cheeks. “You and your wife are living in the cabin
     where I stayed?” Where they'd met and talked and made love ...
    â€œAngela kept her apartment in Orofino. She teaches second grade.” He reached into the
     backseat and lifted out a large duffel bag. “I go home weekends."
    Amy steadied the trembling inside her. “Why are you staying at the cabin?"
    â€œIt's the only place I can fall sleep,” he said, then got out of the car and closed the
     door.
    She took a second to pull herself together. The only place he could fall sleep. Did that mean he could only find peace in the bed in which she'd slept?
    She trudged over to the van. B.J. had already situated Nathan on an overturned box in the
     rear. On either side of him ranged built-in compartments holding forensic supplies. A
     collapsible gurney slid into a metal slot. Light and camera tripods lay in a tangle held
     in place by both her and B.J.'s medical bags and their respective forensic kits.
    She hoisted herself into the black vinyl bucket seat next to her father and without
     thinking let out a sigh. “Let's go."
    B.J. gave her a long, level look. “You okay?"
    She managed a weak smile. “Of course. I'm strong as an elephant and twice as
     healthy."
    â€œLike hell you are.” He maneuvered the van onto the potholed roadway and a stiff silence
     settled around them.
    Amy swung around to Nathan. “Wheeler was founded in 1910,” she said, hoping to lessen the
     tension. “The town nearly died before the Southeast Asian families moved in and leased
     these places."
    She gestured to weathered two-story houses bordering the street. Instead of lawns, long
     rows of rich, black, cultivated earth bracketed each building. “The tenants raise
     flowers for the florist trade. Make use of every inch of soil.
    â€œThe whole valley is a patchwork of glowing color during spring, summer, and fall.
     Hundreds of people come.” She kept up her rambling, tour-guide patter until Nathan
     rested his hand lightly on her shoulder. Amy took the hint and subsided.
    The street widened, became better paved as shops crowded out the houses. A blue sports
     car with a middle-aged man at the wheel darted out of a side street and B.J. slammed on
     his brakes. “Stupid idiot ran a stop sign."
    â€œPatience, Dad.” She caught a glimmer of amusement in Nathan's glance. “As you can see,
     Nathan, some of the Caucasian locals have gotten rich off the tourists."
    â€œDo Kampucheans work in any of the stores?"
    â€œMostly in the restaurants,