Peril by Jordyn Redwood Read Free Book Online

days?
    He sat next to her on the bed and pulled her hand into his. “I’m asking because I’m curious about what happened. To have a conversation with you.”
    Tears leapt from her eyes and she pulled her hand from his. She closed her eyes tightly and buried them under the palms of her hands. Would this ache for her daughter ever go away? Did she regret the decision she had made? Is that why this void was never filled—because there was nothing of her daughter left to give hope to anyone else?
    Tyler eased his arms around her back and pulled her tight into his embrace. He rocked her gently, but instead of comforting her, it only intensified the pain in her body, and she pushed back against him.
    He held his hands up. “I’m sorry.”
    Morgan rolled on the bed away from him. “Do you hate me for what I did?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œFor refusing to donate Teagan’s organs.”
    She could hear the rush of his breath fill his chest and stop. He laid a heavy hand on her shoulder. “Honestly?”
    Morgan nodded. This was the elephant in the room between them since Teagan had died. The coroner had given permission to release the body for donation, and Tyler had assumed, considering her background, she automatically would be on board.
    â€œHate is too strong a word. Disappointed, I guess.” His hand tightened. “I know it would have helped my grief to know that part of her was helping another child.”
    â€œEspecially now that we can’t have any more.”
    He rubbed her arm slowly. A response when he struggled to find the right words to say.
    â€œMorgan, I love you. That hasn’t changed. There are these issues we need to work through. What I don’t know is how you feel about me. Do you want to stay in this marriage?”
    She buried her face under her arms.
    The bigger question is, do I even want to stay alive?

Chapter 5
    Evening, Monday, June 11
    B RETT THREW HIS CAR INTO park and flipped off the headlights.
    â€œI shouldn’t have called you,” he said. “I knew it would get your detective radar into overdrive. Lilly is going to kill me.”
    Nathan was in the seat next to him. In between picking bits of lint off his pants, he’d been reviewing two case files. One was of the aggravated assault case of Zoe Martin, and the other was the one on Dr. and Mrs. Tyler Adams. Brett’s partner closed the folder and looked in his direction, the light from the streetlamp shading his face like the Phantom of the Opera.
    â€œCome on,” Nathan said. “I know you missed our witty repartee, and Lilly is working in the ER tonight anyway.”
    â€œGuess I’ll need to keep you out of the line of fire for sure then. I don’t want Lilly killing me for letting you catch a bullet. I’d have to start my own list of unforgivables.”
    Nathan patted his breast pocket where he kept the worn piece of paper. “Maybe you should create such a list.”
    â€œAbout things I can’t forgive myself for? Honestly, I got enough to be depressed about already.”
    â€œYou haven’t talked much about your mother since her death.”
    Brett loosened his tie. “Aw, man. You know I hate to talk about touchy-feely stuff. Let’s focus on you. Any new list additions?”
    Nathan settled his knee against the door. “Since losing those hostages and delaying public disclosure too long in Lilly’s rape case? I did add Raven Samuals to the list. I shouldn’t have stopped watching over her. Maybe I could have prevented her descent into revenge. Maybe those officers would still be alive.” The car was quiet for a few moments.
    The silence made Brett uncomfortable. “Let’s get this interview done.”
    â€œI am glad you called me about it.”
    â€œOnce I saw your name on Teagan’s file and the connection to the little note I found—I had a hunch you’d want to be