Prelude of Lies by Victoria Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

as her sister did, but couldn’t find it. What she did feel worried her.
    Graham was handsome, in a perfect GQ kind of way. Not her type, so why did her stomach flip when he leaned forward in his excitement? For a brief moment, she could only think of kissing him. Sydney would have a heart attack.
    And then there was Tucker. Flirting and making outrageous comments. She wanted to ask him about the baby, but every time she opened her mouth, one of the crew appeared. Who would have thought their quiet campground life would suddenly fill up with more testosterone than either of them could handle? She wondered how Sydney managed her interview with Marshal. Daisy wished Sydney would get over herself and jump Marshal’s bones. Maybe Daisy should do the same with Graham.
    Daisy held the extension cord for Marshal as he connected the equipment. Setup was always exciting and she realized how much she’d missed working with these guys.
    “Sorry I didn’t make it over to talk to you this morning.” She gave him the slack he requested and moved forward.
    “No problem. Your sister gave me a lot of information. She’s not like I pictured.” He didn’t look up, and Daisy wished she could see his face.
    “How did you picture her?” Good, he straightened and turned toward her.
    “I don’t know. Stern, bitchy, and ugly. One of those tight-bunned, gray-flannel-suit wearing matronly types. And fat, too.” He grinned and bent to wind the cord around the base of the tree so no one accidentally unplugged the setup.
    She grimaced. “That’s quite a bad image. I guess I only told you the frustrating stuff. She’s definitely not any of those things.”
    “Definitely not. No matter what she says to you, she has an open mind and she’s interested in what we’re doing.”
    “Maybe her opinions changed after her experience in the cabin? She’s fair. Her personal beliefs don’t affect how she treats people.”
    “Are you saying she’s only being nice?”
    “Maybe. I don’t think so. She is nice. Except where Graham is concerned. Why didn’t you tell me you two are in cahoots?” She should kick him for lying.
    Marshal shrugged. “He wanted to see what happened and since it kind of helped with the investigation I let him.”
    “Why?”
    “He’s my brother. Well, half-brother. We grew up together. Until his mom left my dad when I was sixteen. I hadn’t seen him for a long time. We kept in touch, but not often, you know? He’s a good guy. Kind of prissy, always was.”
    “Prissy is Sydney’s type.” Oops. She shouldn’t have said that. Marshal seemed a little shocked and disappointed. “She hates him, though.”
    Marshal didn’t say anything. When was she going to learn to keep her mouth shut? She’d probably just blown Sydney’s chances with Marshal.
    “Lights out in ten.” Dave breezed by, taking his job seriously as usual.
    “We’re ready.” Marshal stepped around her.
    Somehow, she managed to be paired with Graham for the first shift. They were only supposed to keep an eye on the computer monitors set up in the empty cabin and take care of troubleshooting. In two hours, they’d switch jobs with another team and head out with one of the other crew members and see what they could record.
    This part was boring, watching the others record their impressions and experiences. At least their conversation wasn’t being recorded like everyone else’s. She’d made sure she told Sydney that before her shift started with Marshal.
    Graham filed his fingernails in an irritating pattern. She’d love to see him with two-day growth on his face and zero hair gel. A pair of jeans and no shirt. She wondered if he worked out or if that fantasy would disappoint in real life.
    She liked him and she didn’t. He was cute, too fancy, and hard to read. Daisy didn’t think she was seeing the real him.
    “So. Is your sister still pissed at me?”
    Her fantasy deflated. She tried not to be disappointed and remembered Graham was more