Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
“Martha, the medical examiner, did find what appeared to be a bite mark under Ray’s arm,” Raine said. “It looked suspicious to her, although she couldn’t easily identify the punctures as a snakebite. As always, she did a toxicology report on Doug, Ray and Malone and the fourth victim, Tammy Dailly. So far, she’s run into the same thing she did when Lawyer, Helen and the others died. She couldn’t find what caused the toxin in their bodies.”
“And the last victim? Tammy? How did she die?” Harlow prompted. That bad feeling she had returned with a vengeance. Something was very off in the town of Knightly.
“She was twenty-six and was meeting her fiancé in Yosemite. Her fiancé, Tim, thought the camping trip was some kind of test for him to see how he did camping and hiking. She was avid about both pursuits and had been introducing him to the things she loved most. She told him she couldn’t do without a regular visit to Yosemite twice a year to reset. Tim had to work until early yesterday morning. He drove straight to the campground and found her,” Raine reported.
“Something is really off,” Stella said. “How can that many people die of the same thing, but we can’t figure out the cause? I’m beginning to think a lab experiment gone wrong or a hybrid snake might really be a thing.” She paused and lowered her voice even more. “Or a serial killer.”
“Rafferty knew those deaths had nothing to do with Shabina’s café,” Zahra said. “He was trying to make amends to Bale. His sister must have a lot of clout with him.”
“But does she with Bale?” Raine wondered aloud. “His reaction to women he perceives as being from other countries says something different.”
“I’ve had enough therapy for a hundred people,” Shabina said. “Raine’s right. The fact that Bale targets every woman that he even thinks might be from another country would say he has mommy issues.”
“Who would have thought?” Vienna said.
“But what about Rafferty? Why would he bend over backward for his sister when he didn’t for Bale? He knows he’s being looked at by the FBI,” Zahra pointed out. “Yet for his sister, who doesn’t even live in this country, he takes that risk.”
“I didn’t read the ME’s private notes. She has an online journal where she writes down her thoughts and speculations if she thinks her victim was murdered. I thought it better if we first came up with our own theories. We seem to do better that way,” Raine said. “And Shabina, stop worrying. I did damage control immediately on the internet and somehow old negative articles written on the sheriff surfaced all over again.”
Shabina made a face. “I just don’t understand what the point was. He eats here all the time. Does he think I’m going to welcome him?”
“A better question is,” Raine said quietly, “does he think Rainier won’t retaliate?”
Shabina slumped back in her chair. “Great. Now I have to worry about my man getting in trouble with local law enforcement.”
“Your man would never be seen or identified,” Raine said, “and you know it. You just don’t always agree with his methods of protecting you.”
Shabina sighed. “I’m kind of annoyed at Rafferty for putting me in a position where I have to confront my husband and let him know I’m not down with his idea of protection. It’s so time-consuming.”
They all looked at her. “No, it is. If we don’t agree, the rule is, we have to talk it out. I thought that was a great rule at first because Rainier doesn’t like to talk. I thought for certain I would run circles around him with arguments. I’m very inventive.”
Raine burst out laughing. “I know exactly what you’re talking about. Rush is the strong, silent type. When we’re at odds over something I can only pray he’ll remain silent.”
“Rainier suddenly decides he’s some kind of statesman and waxes lyrical for hours on end. He can come up with more arguments than you could possibly conceive of. It’s insane how good he is at debating.” Shabina put her head on the table, looking very much like Zahra for a moment. “That man.”
Harlow had to smile. Even when Shabina issued her soft “that man,” as if she was so exasperated, she spoke in the most loving tone imaginable.
“He’d better not be walking on you,” Zahra said. “We talked about this. You told me if something really meant a lot to you, he backed off.”
“He always backs off, unless it’s a matter of health or safety. Then we discuss. This, unfortunately, would come under the heading of safety. At least he thinks so.”
“He’s right,” Raine said. “And I don’t back him lightly. Unfortunately, Rush has decided he needed to move in with me to ensure his hard work on my leg isn’t compromised. He’s just like Rainier. I argue with him just for the practice most of the time because when it comes to my health, he’s right. Just don’t ever let him know I admitted that.”