To the Grave by Carlene Thompson Read Free Book Online

looked down to see long dark hairs still trapped under her fingernails and trailing from her hand. Repulsed, she immediately began rubbing her fingers against the rough weave of the blanket. “The paramedics say you’re okay, physically at least.” Eric smiled encouragingly.
    â€œYeah. They said I should go to the hospital for a more thorough checkup, but I had a feeling I was getting the standard recommendation. I think I’m just fine.”
    â€œThat’s good.” Eric glanced at Robbie and the male deputy Jeff Beal. “You two secure the crime scene.”
    â€œWe’re on it,” Jeff said snappily, and Catherine expected him to salute. He was three years older than Eric, but he didn’t seem to resent Eric’s senior position.
    When Marissa joined Eric, Catherine said to him, “I’d just like for Marissa to take me home now. Please.”
    Marissa looked at Eric. “She’s free to go, isn’t she? There’s nothing else she can tell you and—”
    Marissa broke off as a fire truck pulled onto the lawn and two men spilled from the vehicle. Catherine knew they’d come to retrieve the body and she shrugged the blanket off her shoulders. “Oh, I really want to go now. Please don’t make me stay for this, Eric.”
    â€œI don’t want to”—Eric looked at a silver Lincoln Town Car slowing down in front of the cottage—“but James is here.”
    James Eastman carefully pulled his car to the side of the asphalt road, out of the way of the official vehicles, then flung open the door and hurried toward Catherine, who sat at the open rear doors of the ambulance. He wore jeans and a pale green shirt with long sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms. His black hair, short on the sides, longer on top, and brushed to the side, gleamed in the sun. As he drew near, Catherine saw that James’s dark brown eyes looked even more intense than usual.
    An abrupt wave of guilt swept through Catherine, as if she’d set out to cause him trouble. She controlled it by straining to act composed. “How did you get here so fast? I thought you were playing golf.”
    â€œI had work at the office I decided was more important than golf. You know I don’t even really like golf—I was supposed to play with some friends of Dad’s.” Suddenly, near panic washed over James’s handsome face. He grasped her shoulders and peered into her eyes. “My God, Catherine. I don’t think I’ve ever been as scared in my life as I was when Eric called me. Are you all right?”
    â€œY-yes.”
    â€œYou don’t sound sure.”
    â€œEveryone is asking me the same thing.” She gave him a weak smile. “I’m going to put a sign around my neck making the announcement.”
    James’s grip tightened. “Catherine, don’t try being okay about this. Be honest. Are you all right? ” She nodded vehemently and stared at him, unable to speak. “I know about the body and I don’t want details. You don’t have to talk about anything now.” He went silent and then suddenly burst out, “But why are you here at the cottage, for God’s sake?”
    Catherine’s guilt returned accompanied by embarrassment. She felt like she’d done something sneaky. “Your mother talks about what a pretty place this is or could be without the cottage. I wanted to show it to Marissa.”
    â€œShow it to Marissa? Why?”
    â€œWell … I don’t know.” Catherine hesitated. “To be honest, I thought you might want the land. For a house. A house for yourself. I know you hate living in that crappy place the owner calls a town house.”
    James looked at her closely. Catherine longed to shift her gaze away from his probing eyes, but she knew she’d look evasive. She forced herself to look innocent.
    â€œI know I’m not getting the whole story about this