Sweet Justice by Christy Reece Read Free Book Online Page A

while, it had worked. After years of being immersed in a world of filth, slime, and murderers, a thick layer of grime had coated his soul. The fresh salty air and sunshine were just the cleansers he’d needed.
    Once Clemmons went on trial, Seth disappeared. The man might’ve suspected that he was the one who’d betrayed him, but he couldn’t prove anything. By the time it was all over, they’d had more than enough to convict the bastard and Seth had never needed to testify. For all Clemmons had known, Seth had just jumped ship to avoid being arrested, too.
    Handling it like that had worked out well, with one major exception. He had finally been able to tell his family the truth, but they had been unable to share the information with anyone else. Full disclosure was too dangerous. So, to the public at large, Seth had still been a well-known restaurateur who’d dabbled in sleaze on the side. His reputation had never hurt his restaurants, though … probably even helped, especially when he put them up for sale.
    At first, having his family know the truth changed nothing. Then, slowly, one by one, forgiveness and understanding had dribbled in. His mother, his staunchest defender even when it didn’t appear he deserved her loyalty, had been the first to offer her support. To hear his mother tell it, Seth was a hero. Though he knew he was anything but, the deep ache he’d felt for so long had been eased by her defense.
    His brothers and sisters had been a different matter. Never had he seen such division in his family. To know he’d caused that dissension only made the guilt go deeper. The last family dinner he’d attended, it’d been like a dam had been unplugged. Shouting, accusations, and anger had spewed. And while it had only been his brother Joel and sister Sandra who’d been the mouthpieces of anger, he’d hated the discourse he’d brought them.
    Seth had walked out of his mother’s house, figuring it’d be better if he never returned. He shouldn’t have tried to come back into the fold and act as if nothing had happened. The easy camaraderie he’d once had with his family was gone. Leaving town seemed a hell of a lot better for everyone than sticking around and pretending things could go back to the way they were.
    Dropping his feet to the floor, Seth stood and stepped back into his bedroom. To hell with regrets. He had a hankering for clams casino, and the freshest clams always came in around this time. When he got back, maybe he’d go for an afternoon run on the beach. Then he’d come home and spend a couple of hours in the kitchen. His new stove had arrived last week and he’d barely scrambled an egg on it. Time to christen it with something worth his time.
    He was almost to the door when the cellphone on his nightstand vibrated. He was tempted to ignore it since it was probably somebody wanting to rent his boat tomorrow. And since tomorrow he’d be using the boat, why pick up?
    Shrugging, Seth stalked over and grabbed it anyway. “What?” he barked.
    “Seth?”
    Not immediately recognizing the voice, Seth said cautiously, “Yeah. Who’s this?”
    “It’s Joel … you know, your brother.”
    His legs suddenly weak, Seth dropped down onto the bed. Someone in his family had died. That was the only explanation; the only reason Joel would call would be to share bad news. Seth closed his eyes. Before he’d heard who or what, grief and regret already gripped his heart. He forced words from his frozen mouth. “What’s wrong?”
    “It’s Kelli.” The thick hoarseness in his brother’s voice was unmistakable.
    “What’s happened?”
    “She’s missing.”
    “Missing how? Where? When?”
    “From her college. She hasn’t been seen in over a week.”
    And no one had called him? What the hell? Had they thought he wouldn’t care? Hell, she was his niece! His mind already working in cop mode again, Seth surged to his feet. Crossing the room, he opened a dresser drawer and began to pull out