We'll Never Tell (Secrets of Ravenswood) by Jannine Gallant Read Free Book Online Page B

the gut. Sam doubled over. The thought that the man was someone she’d
passed on the street, maybe spoken to, had never occurred to her. He was a dark
figure, far removed from reality. Certainly not a part of her everyday life.
    “I suppose he could be,”
she said slowly, “though that isn’t what I meant. Someone local could have
spread the word. If he knows anyone who lives here…” She swallowed.
    “What’re we going to
do?” Juliette’s voice was thick with tears.
    Sam straightened. “I’ll
ask Ken if they’ve identified the body yet. Until they do, our story isn’t
going to help much in an investigation. Let’s keep quiet for now and see what
Darby thinks. She’s the one he hurt, so she has a stake in any decision we
make.”
    “How can you sound so
calm? I want to crawl in a hole—a really deep hole—and never come out.”
    Sam stared at the broken
carafe. “I’m doing my best not to freak out, here.”
    “We have to go to the
police.”
    She let out a slow
breath. “I know, but will the authorities protect us—and Darby—after we report
what we saw that night? Darby has a right to be forewarned before we do
anything to incite this nutcase further.”
    “I’d rather tell her in
person.” Juliette’s breath whooshed out on a gusty sigh. “This isn’t the kind
of news you share in a text message.”
    Sam snorted. “Is there
an abbreviated way to text Killer on the prowl—beware? How soon can you
be ready to go?”
    “Half an hour. I’ll pick
you up.”
    Her lips formed a tight
line. “Bring coffee. I’m going to need a new pot.”
    ****
    Darby’s blue eyes
flashed fire beneath the white, gauze bandage taped to her forehead. He did this to me. You’re sure?”
    Sam glanced around the
pale green, generic room. Her friend perched on the edge of the bed dressed in
the torn pants and dirty blouse she’d worn into the emergency room the night
before. Darby’s mother, Alice Kincade, was down the hall filling out the
paperwork to spring her daughter from the hospital before she carried out her
threat to take drastic action to insure her release.
    “He referred to your
accident as a reminder of our deal.”
    “I’d like to kick the
rat-bastard in the balls. These scrapes hurt , and my head is still
throbbing, despite the pain killers.”
    “At least you weren’t
badly injured.” Juliette’s smile shook, and she squeezed Darby’s arm. “If we
talk to the police, next time he may not be content with a warning.”
    “There won’t be a next
time.” Darby grimaced as she eased off the bed. “He won’t catch me unawares
again.”
    “You can’t be on guard
twenty-four seven, Darb,” Sam informed her. “Maybe you should take a vacation
until this is cleared up.”
    Darby pushed a strand of
mink brown hair over her shoulder. “You make murder and aggravated assault
sound like a rash. What about the two of you?”
    “Juliette could go with
you. You can drink mai tais on some tropical beach while the cabana boy rubs
you down with tanning lotion.”
    A broad grin stretched
Darby’s cheeks. “As enticing as that sounds, I’m in the middle of a big
research project.”
    “And I have a ballet
school to run.” Juliette fisted her hands on her hips and stared at her friend.
    Sam let out a breath. “I
didn’t figure you’d agree, but I thought it was worth a try.”
    “You were planning to be
a martyr and deal with this psycho alone?” Darby scowled, her brows lowering.
    “I have friends with
connections. Ken would raise holy hell with local law enforcement if he knew I
was in danger.”
    Juliette’s innocent
brown eyes contrasted sharply with the sly smile curving her lips. “I bet Ethan
would be happy to offer you round the clock protection.”
    Darby turned to face
them. “Ethan who?”
    “Thorne. He’s a few
years older than us. Raises dogs. I’m sure you’d recognize him if you saw him.”
    “Tall, dark, and
handsome—I remember.” Darby eyed Sam. “You’re