Linda Lovely - Marley Clark 02 - No Wake Zone by Linda Lovely Read Free Book Online Page A

A security
breach inside a DoD contractor’s organization. ”
    I paused to consider the types of secrets Jake’s firm might
hire Thrasos to hush up. “Jolbiogen’s a pharmaceutical firm, right?”
    Darlene nodded.
    “That opens other possibilities. Maybe some gang in Chechnya
is counterfeiting pills and selling them as genuine Jolbiogen cures. Patients
swallowing harmful fakes isn’t good for business. Or maybe someone’s selling
trade secrets.”
    My friend frowned. “I know Jolbiogen has a big military
research contract. Jake said the project made him nervous because something
horrific could happen if the research fell into the wrong hands. He never
talked specifics, but it had something to do with DNA sequences.”
    Darlene’s eyes widened. “Do you suppose that’s it? That Jake
kept documents about that research here, and that’s why Hamilton’s being such a
bastard?”
    “I honestly don’t know. That man doesn’t need a reason to be
a bastard.” I stood. “We’re not going to solve this tonight. Let’s go to bed.
You have to be exhausted.”
    She nodded. “I am tired though I doubt I’ll get much sleep.”
    An unwelcome thought popped into my head. “Do we need to
worry about Eric pulling some stunt tonight?”
    She hesitated. “I always activate the alarm.”
    Sensing a note of depression in her tone, I regretted
mentioning Eric.
    She tapped a key on an alarm panel. “If a door even cracks
open, the guards swarm. Don’t roam outdoors once the house is locked. Last
fall, Julie ventured out and found herself facing three drawn guns. Security’s
tight. Unfortunately, that applies to everyone but Hamilton.”
    Darlene led me upstairs to an exquisite guest suite. A large
bay window offered a panoramic lake view. An inviting down comforter graced the
elegant four-poster bed.
    My casual perusal froze when I spotted my very own suitcase
on the bedside luggage stand.
    Darlene followed my gaze. “Oh, Harvey arranged for someone
to run to your aunt’s house and pick it up. I thought you might have
prescriptions or want clean clothes for morning.”
    The gesture would have been sweet if she’d asked. Instead it
left me uneasy. I had no plans for an extended stay.
    “Thanks.” I forced a smile. “It’s always nice to sleep in my
own PJs.”
    “It’s the least I could do. Make yourself at home. You
should find everything you need.”
    She flicked on a light in the adjoining bath. Lace-edged
towels hung with military precision, and soaps carved into miniature fish
perfumed the vast marble sanctuary. A far cry from the accommodations I offered
guests. When visitors surprised me, I crossed my fingers they wouldn’t notice
the free-range dust bunnies roaming the floors.
    “It’s lovely. If you need me—or my snoring rattles the
walls—shake me awake. I sleep like a log.”
    “Goodnight.” Darlene hugged me. “Thanks again. I’d have gone
nuts tonight without your company.”
    After she left, I set a bedside alarm for seven a.m. Ross
was due to pick me up at nine, which would get me out before Darlene’s daughter
arrived at ten.
    While the bed beckoned, the hypnotizing view drew me to the
bay window. Curled up on the window seat, I drank in the West Okoboji scenery.
A full moon floated on the horizon, painting a pale silver path across the
velvet lake. Pastel in-ground lights transformed trees and bushes into exotic,
disturbing sculptures in the lush landscape.
    Was there a glimmer of light in the deserted cabin, or was
my imagination on speed? I didn’t even know if the relic had electricity. Might
be worth checking out tomorrow afternoon when I promised to return and help
with funeral arrangements.
    Reluctantly, I abandoned the view. Snuggling beneath the
down comforter, I sighed with pleasure. Tomorrow had to be an improvement.
First I’d take steps to erase my name from the list of murder suspects. Then
I’d see if I could get through the rest of the day without a surprise