AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Forty-Four
Joel
It turns out a couple of grand doesn’t buy much loyalty. That’s how much I’ve given Gina’s father. First to marry his daughter and then to keep her from having to go back to Tennessee to take care of him. “I just want you to know,” she says as we watch the police cruiser park in our driveway, “I didn’t make those cookies.”
“Great.” I have to admit, I’m not really listening. I’m more concerned with how to get rid of Edward Baker, Pine Lake’s infamous police chief. Preferably before he sees his wife lying on my kitchen floor, dead.
“What I’m saying, Joel, is it wasn’tmetrying to kill you.”
“Okay.”
“I just thought you should know.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Are you even listening to anything I'm saying?” I watch as Ed Baker comes striding up our walkway. I’ve known the guy since I was a kid. He’s a shrewd cop, misses nothing. Not unless he wants to, and I guess you could say he and I have always had an understanding. Probably not enough of an understanding that he’d be willing to overlook his wife dying in my house under mysterious circumstances, but you never know. Maybe he has that kind of marriage.
“Joel,” Gina huffs, tugging on the sleeve of my shirt. “Have you heard anything I’ve said?”
“Um. Sure.” Maybe we should just pretend like we’re not home. Sneak out the back. Make a run for it. Go with Gina’s plan in theland of dreams. Maybe hit the beach. I don't know.
It’s a nice thought, but I don’t have time for nice thoughts. This is my home. I’m not leaving. “Wait here,” I say to Gina. “And whatever you do, don’t let him inside.”
She nods eagerly, and I see the fear in her eyes. “I love you,” she says.
The slam of the screen door is the only response I can give.
