Spencer-3 by Kathi S. Barton Read Free Book Online Page A

got him in the heart.”
    “Oh, Caitlynne, I’m so sorry.”
    “My mother had never liked him being a cop, especially in a city as big as Chicago. She had told him that if he ever was killed, she wouldn’t go to his funeral and would leave me to the world. She did too. The day after the men came to the house to tell us what had happened, she went into their room, filled the bath tub, climbed in, and slit her wrists. I found her. I knew then that I could never fall in love. Never marry, and never leave others behind as my parents had done to me. I can’t hurt him, Mr. Grant. And I will. I love what I do, and I’m damned good at it. I’m sorry.”
    “You didn’t tell him this, did you? You know my brother isn’t as weak as your mother, nor is he stupid. He would understand what this means to you and support you. You need to tell him before he finds out from someone else.”
    “Are you threatening me? It doesn’t matter. I know he’s not weak, and I’m well aware of the fact that he isn’t stupid. But what happens when I’m killed?
    Because we both know it’s a good possibility. How could I do that do him?” He pulled out a file and handed it to her. He picked up his briefcase and walked toward the door. “You’ll never know, will you, if you don’t tell him? The pre-trial is the day after tomorrow. I’ll need you in the courthouse at seven o’clock. If you have any questions, call me. My number’s in the file there.
    Goodnight, detective.”
    The nurse came in about twenty minutes after Devin left and gave her the paperwork she would need to leave. The nurse told her that the doctor told her if she could get a ride tonight, then he would appreciate it if Cait left his hospital, the sooner the better. She called her uncle Paddy.
    After calling the department and telling them she had been released early and would no longer require the guard, she went to the bathroom to change. Her uncle arrived at midnight and with the help of the now off duty officer, she gathered up her things and left. A hospital administrator came in and talked to her about Patterson before she left as well. He seemed to think she was right about him, but did not come out and say so.
    “Hungry, Caddy-did? Your aunt’s been cooking up a storm since you called.
    She said that you needed to fatten up after all that hospital food. I got some of that chili left over, too, and there are a couple of subs in the icebox. I even picked up some of that tea you been drinking, that nasty unsweetened shit you drink by the gallon. I was supposed to pick up some ice cream too, but I didn’t know what kind. I know you like chocolate, but they got about fifty kinds. What the hell happened to just plain old chocolate is what I want—”
    “Its okay, Uncle Paddy. I’m fine. As soon as this is over, I’m going back to Chicago and you and Aunt Dee can come and visit me for a few weeks. Okay?”
    “You can’t keep doing this, darling. I’d miss you, and your Aunt D, she would be devastated if you were to go like your daddy. You have to stay safe. If not for me, then for her.”
    When they pulled into the drive, she reached over and hugged him. She loved this man more than he could ever know. He had been her solid foundation in a rocky life and she felt she would never be able to repay him.

    She had no more than walked in the door tonight when Aunt Dee was making her a plate. The food was delicious, but she just wasn’t all that hungry.
    After playing with her food for an hour and trying to stay cheery for her aunt and uncle, she begged off and went to her room.
    She walked into the large bathroom and stood in front of the mirror for several minutes just staring at her face. She had to do this. She had to do it now or she would never be able to. Cait took off her shirt and stared at the bandages that covered most of her chest. Peeling back the tape under her right breast, she watched what she was doing and not what she was unveiling. After taking