The Killing Edge by Richard; Forrest Read Free Book Online Page B

hands over the slightly rounded protrusion of her stomach and down over the long sheen of her legs broken only by the scar on her thigh. Exception for the accident, the years had been kind to her physically. She still had the body of a young woman.
    She laughed aloud at what she had decided.
    It had been five years, and now there had been a full year dating Will … although they hardly seemed like formal dates, but meetings between two lonely friends who enjoyed each other’s company. The sexuality was there, it had always been present in his looks, his jesting remarks, and his attempts to make love to her. He had tried, in gentle ways that retreated quickly if she showed the slightest resistence.
    Her self-imposed continence had been born out of senseless deaths, and perhaps it should end fittingly on the night of another senseless death.
    Yes, if would be so.
    She rummaged through the bottom drawer of the small dresser until she found the red peignoir that had never been worn. She selected matching bikini panties and decided not to wear a brassiere.
    There was a dull but not unpleasant ache in her lower stomach and her hands began to tremble. She went into the bathroom and dabbed a small amount of perfume behind her ears. As she looked in the mirror an apparition of Eddie Bennett leaned against the doorway and stared insolently at her. She put the perfume back in the medicine chest and slammed the door to break the hazy fantasy.
    It would be an act of love, and it would cleanse them of the horror they had witnessed at the Bridger house.
    She opened the bedroom door and saw that he had stretched out on the couch with his pants neatly folded on a nearby chair. She walked softly over toward him and knelt on the floor.
    Will Barnes was in a deep sleep. With a bemused shake of her head, L.C. crossed the room, sat down and began to mend his trousers.

Chapter Four
    The alarm went off at seven.
    L.C. awoke to find herself clutching a pillow tight against her chest. She pummeled the pillow in frustration a moment and then reached across to the bedside clock to click off the alarm. She felt chilly, and realized that somehow during the night she had squirmed out of the peignoir. She clasped her hands over her bare breasts and ironically smiled. Five years to make a decision and then …
    There was a hesitant knock on the bedroom door. “You awake, L.C.?”
    â€œI’ll be right out, Will.”
    â€œI found some instant coffee and made two cups. Can I come in?”
    She laughed. “Why not?” As the door opened she hastily pulled the sheet around her neck and lay back on the pillow.
    Will handed her a cup of coffee and sat on the edge of the bed. She tried to hold the sheet against her neck with her chin and hold the coffee cup at the same time.
    â€œOf course you know that under the laws of this state, two people who occupy the same domicile for an entire night are presumed to have.”
    â€œHow little the law knows,” she replied with a small laugh. “You fell asleep on me.”
    â€œI’m sorry, I was really beat. I drank the brandy, and then when you didn’t come back I thought I’d close my eyes for a minute—and that was it.”
    â€œI took a while because I had decided something.”
    He ran his hand over her hip. “Oh, what’s that?”
    â€œThat 710 needs a new voltage meter.”
    â€œJesus!” He stood and spilled coffee over his fingers. “Are you telling me that you’re thinking of voltage meters when I thought you had decided that if I hadn’t fallen asleep …”
    â€œI’ll need a ride to the shop.”
    â€œSure. Can we leave by eight? I want to make a quick stop on the way to Headquarters.”
    â€œI’ll leap out of bed as soon as you’re back in the living room.”
    â€œI can rustle up some breakfast.”
    â€œYou’re handy around the house.”
    â€œSure,” Will said