Not Quite Clear (A Lowcountry Mystery) by Lyla Payne Read Free Book Online

Anything like that would help.”
    The lawyer raises her eyebrows at Amelia, as though waiting for an answer, but her blue eyes quickly fall to me again. They flicker, as though maybe if we were good friends I’d be able to discern some secret message, and then they’re gone.
    “I’ve heard plenty,” Amelia starts, slowly. “But Jake never said a single word against hisparents, and they certainly never let me close enough to get any sort of proof.”
    It clicks then, as Phoebe stifles a sigh with a smile that does nothing to reassure anyone in the room that we have more than the barest chance of keeping my cousin’s baby away from those people. If she talked to Beau, if she did any sort of digging on her own—and she doesn’t seem like the type of woman to leaveone single thing to chance—then it’s possible she knows about my proclivity toward snooping.
    It may usually have to do with some pushy spirit, but in this case, I’m more than willing to put my newly acquired skills to work if it means helping my cousin put her life back together. No problem.
    “You’re saying you want dirt on the Middletons.”
    “I’m saying we need dirt on the Middletons.”

Chapter Five

    There’s no time to contemplate how I’m supposed to get dirt on one of the most prominent families in the state, because Travis has decided it’s time for us to have our little tête-à-tête regarding the recent break-ins in Heron Creek. I knew the confrontation couldn’t be avoided forever, not even with Beau throwing a bit of weight around, but my limbs feel like lead and mymind races, then stumbles after our meeting with Phoebe this morning.
    So much for a relaxing day off, even if Beau and I are supposed to have a chill night in at his place later. I’m thinking about changing venues. Amelia shouldn’t be alone, and we have so much to think about and try to plan that taking an evening off is a luxury we can’t afford. It sucks that Beau and I still struggle to findtime just for the two of us, but there’s nothing that can be done about it.
    Tendrils of smoke waft through my head, curl around my overworked brain. It smells of incense and earth, and refuses to let me forget about Mama Lottie and the decision that needs to be made about the curse.  
    It may not matter soon whether Beau and I have time for each other. If I help a powerful madwoman put a curseon his family, there probably won’t be a Beau and me at all.
    I shake off the dread, face the police station, and do my best to clear my mind. I’m not nervous about talking to Travis, mostly because I didn’t do a damn thing but also because the other balls in the air require all my focus. The break-ins around town—at the hospital and then at the bank—can’t compete with Beau and Amelia.
    Travisis at his regular desk out front and one of the twins—Tom, I think—blinks up at me. He shoots a wary glance at his boss and, finding himself watched, doesn’t move. Apparently they had a talk about not manhandling me every time our paths cross and maybe especially not when they’re on the job and I’m a suspect in one thing or another.
    Which is the majority of the time.
    “Miss Harper,” Tom saysin a serious voice that’s at least two octaves too deep.
    I roll my eyes, unable to stop a giggle, and perform the world’s most awkward curtsy. “Mr. Ryan.”
    He snorts, we crack up, and then he trips me on my way past. It only makes us laugh harder, and by the time I plop into the seat on the side of Travis’s desk he’s exuding a massive amount of exasperation.
    “You know, you’re not helping.”
    “Not helping with what?” I ask, my eyes too wide and my tone too clueless.
    Travis shakes his head, Tom covers a louder snort than the first one, and I’m pretty pleased with how this so-called interview is going.  
    “I have a few questions for you about the bank robbery last week.” Travis puts on his business face, which isn’t all that different from the