Siren Rock by Laurie Keck Read Free Book Online Page B

I now have all I need, all I want.”
    Larina kissed him on the forehead. “We both do.”
    Grant took a seat as he asked Case, “So how is Robust?”
    “He’s doing great. Larina’s the best. Thanks for sending her to me.”
    Grant gave a wink. “Glad it worked out.”
    Larina sat beside Case. “Daddy, I told Case most everything… but not about the notes.”
    Case exchanged glances between them. “Note?”
    Grant reached over to light Case’s cigar and then lit his own pipe before he spoke.
    “Yes, both Larina and I received a note that threatens to tell our family secret.”
    Case drew on his cigar, never taking his eyes off of Grant.
    “Larina got hers while in the Keys. Mine arrived here at the house, only a day before. This is why Larina came home.”
    Case sat up quickly, and as he held his cigar in one hand, he pounded his fist in his other. “It’s Annette. It has to be.”
    Larina furrowed her eyebrow and shook her head. “No, she couldn’t possibly know. No one knows.”
    Grant sipped his drink and then said, “Sadly, someone knows. Case, tell me why you think it’s her.”
    Case pounded his fist into his hand with each point he made. “I think she hurt Robust. I think she stole my work. Hell, I think she poisoned the animals. Cut down the tree. I just don’t have proof. I even recently installed a camera on the stall and an alarm on the house. But I have nothing.”
    Grant stood and tended to the fire. “If this is true, she’s quite dangerous.”
    Larina held her hand up. “Wait, I’m definitely not a fan, but that doesn’t make any sense. I was away four years; why would she lead me back here? She must know I would be back, Daddy, if you were in danger. And besides, she would’ve had to have physically followed me to see me swim or to suspect anything.”
    Grant said, “I would like to share your theory, dear. However, as I see it, as long as you remain even a possibility, she felt she would never have Case. Near or far, it didn’t matter. And who’s to say she hasn’t seen you?”
    Case held his hand out toward Grant. “You’re right.” He then spoke to Larina. “He’s right. She always believed you were the only thing in the way of us being together.”
    Grant said, “At the very least, if Annette learned of our secret, and was able to reveal it, Case could never have a life with you. Think of the notoriety she would have in revealing our truth. Larina, you and I would become the subject of many tests and complete isolation. I think it’s a real possibility.”
    Case said, “It’s hard to know what someone like her is capable of.”
    Grant took a puff. “Still, she would need proof. My guess is she doesn’t have it.”
    Larina stood, and as she paced, she felt her mind race. “If it’s her, why not just burn down the house, stable, studio? Why not just start a massive fire? Do it all at once?”
    Grant narrowed his gaze. “Arson? No, she wants Case and the life he offers. That means land, his belongings. The animals, to someone like her, are just in the way. They take too much of his time, and she doesn’t want to share him. No, besides, I suspect she would also rather do it slowly, with torment while creating trepidation.”
    Larina asked, “So what do we do?”
    Grant said, “We wait. She’ll slip up. We just need to remain mindful, and we definitely all have something to think about.”
    Larina held her hands up. “I won’t be caught in anyone’s net. So, you both really think it’s her? What happened to the other people you suspected?”
    Grant and Case exchanged glances as they got more comfortable in their chairs. Grant puffed on his pipe while Case puffed on his cigar.
    Larina then slumped into her chair. “Guess you both have it all under control,” she said with sarcasm.

 
     
     
    Chapter 6
     
     
    After several minutes of silence, which to Larina felt like an eternity, Grant got up and walked over to the barbeque pit. “Now, who would like