The American Soldier Collection 3: Amazing Grace (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Dixie Lynn Dwyer Read Free Book Online

and then some. So was Detective Jim Warner as far as Frank could find out. Sandstone also had files connected to his name that were coded and top secret.
    “Well we discussed it downstairs. They have you in their program for the next couple of days while I’m in New York. I’m going to see what I can find out there. Then I’ll be coming back this way. The agency is setting up our main base in the Houston Police Department. A few of my guys will be helping the detectives deal with the media coverage and go over all the evidence there is so far. When I get back, I might have a few more questions for you. Keeping you and your family safe and alive is important to me. Hopefully you won’t need my protection, Miss Thompson.”
    “No offense, Investigator, but I hope I won’t either,” Grace replied and Frank felt his gut clench. Why is this happening to my family? Why?

Chapter 3
     
    “So what’s up with this new case, Sandman? We haven’t seen you in days,” his brother Big Jay asked.
    “It’s complicated. I may need you and Duke. Can you let Duke notify his commander so he can take off if needed?” Sandman said.
    “Shit, it’s that bad? You haven’t needed both of us in a while. What’s the deal?”
    “You been watching the news, Big Jay? You heard about the serial killer and the eleven murdered women?”
    “Oh shit, that’s the case you’re working on? That’s some pretty brutal shit, bro. What the hell kind of monster cuts up gorgeous women, tortures them, and then kills them?”
    “Exactly what I’m trying to find out. Jim Warner had called me. There was this latest case.”
    “A model right?” Big Jay asked, and Sandman knew that his brother had been paying attention to the news.
    “Exactly. The killer left a picture of a woman there. His next victim possibly. Anyway, it turns out that this woman has been out of the country for nearly three years. Gorgeous photographer who left Texas and headed to Europe at twenty-two years old. She had found her missing dead sister.”
    “Shit, I heard about that. Are you in charge of protecting the woman?”
    “If things get worse before they get better, I just may need you and Duke to help me out.”
    “Hey, are you into this chick or something?”
    “What?” Sandman asked, surprised that his brother would ask something like that. They weren’t even face-to-face. They were conversing over the phone, with a bad connection before Sandman boarded another plane home.
    “You heard me. You sounded differently when you described her. You sound like you care.”
    “Oh, fuck you if you don’t think I care about potential victims or victims’ families. It’s my fucking job.”
    “You do care. But you’re also a hard-ass, a quiet, keep-to-yourself ex-Marine. Don’t give me any of your bullshit. What’s the deal?”
    “No deal. She’s in danger right now and I’ll know how deeply once I return to Houston. Just be prepared.”
    “I’m always prepared. Later, bro.”
    “Thanks, Big Jay. See you in twelve hours.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Grace insisted that she leave her mom’s house. She didn’t want to put her through any more upset or danger. Her brothers agreed but decided that Grace should stay with one of them.
    They wanted to be sure she was with someone most of the time, so John decided that Grace should stay with him and his roommates in a house they rented down by the local marina.
    She wasn’t too happy about living with the four bachelors but the marina was beautiful and drew in a lot of tourists with its little boutiques and specialty shops.
    Grace had been there for two days and she already loved the little place on the corner that made funnel cakes and fried zeppoles as well as the coffee hut next door to it.
    Charlie had gone with her for a jog this morning and they sat together on a bench down by the water.
    “It’s going to be hot today. It’s only 6:30 a.m. and that thermometer over there is reading eighty-eight degrees,” Grace