Dead Man's Hand Read Free Page A

face.
    A blond e , blue-eyed angel.
    He slid beneath the sheets, growing numb and weary as the Percocet kicked in and the pain began to subside . A strand of hair covered Rachel ’ s mouth and he inched it away from her face.
    He marveled at her. She ’ d survived years of abuse from her stepfather. How such a petite woman had escaped and recovered—for the most part —inspired Calvin. And he had taken it upon himself to pay her step father back, even though Rachel knew nothing about it. The man now knew what pain was all about.
    Calvin had to collect enough to take her with him when he got out.
    He was well paid for his gruesome work and he spent only the bare minimum to cover basic expenses and bills. And to cover those special purchases spread out over the last three years that were his investment for the future. His cheap, rundown apartment and dilapidated workshop, as sparsely furnished as a prison cell, were all ways to reduce costs.
    He stared at the ceiling and thought about how he ’ d had to force himself to do the job on Pierce. How much longer could he take it?
    He shook his head against the pillow. I just want a life.
    T he Percocet sank in deepe r and he drifted into unconsciousness. He fell asleep with his leg hanging over the edge of the bed, dreaming about one more chance.
     

 
     
    Chapter 2
     
    “ Dale, we need to talk. ”
    Dale Dayton bounded down the staircase still wet from his shower. He thought he knew what his wife wanted, but he ’ d give anything to avoid the discussion.
    “ I ’ ll be back in a minute, ” he said, kissing Betty on the cheek.
    He noticed the coffee pot half-filled and realized his wife must have been up early drinking coffee and waiting for him. He poured a cup and went outside to retrieve the morning paper, delaying facing her a moment more.
    “ Dale , ” she hollered from the doorway.
    He had thought a baby might help “ the problem , ” though he ’ d always known his job was the real issue.
    But Betty kn e w what she was getting into marrying a cop, did n ’ t she ?
    Dale had always been a cop and always would be. And he was a damn good one at that. What he found more difficult was being a good husband and father .
    When he came back into the house, she was waiting. Without making eye contact with her, he picked up Sammie and gave him a hug and kiss before settling his son back into his highchair.
    Betty ’ s mouth turned down in a pout. “ I ’ m serious. This is important. ”
    “ Okay, okay. What is it? ”
    “ I think that― ”
    His beeper went off.
    “ Don ’ t take it , ” Betty said, her voice rising.
    Ignoring her, he checked the number. “ I have to, honey. ”
    He picked up the phone and dialed the number . He listened for a long moment and then hung up. Grabbing his jacket an d holster, he threw Betty an apologetic look. “ Sorry, I gotta go. Jimmy ’ s on his way. I promise we ’ ll talk tonight when I get home. Love you. ”
    He kissed her on the cheek and ran down the hall .
    “ I won ’ t be here when you get back . ”
    His backbone stiffened. Her words stopped him , frozen, his hand still on the door knob. Hi s insides tightened. He turned around. Betty stood r ight behind him now , an intense gaze in her eyes . The ambush was premeditated and even though he w as a gifted investigator, he had never seen it coming.
    “ What do you mean? ”
    “ You know wh at I mean, Dale. T his is n ’ t coming out of the blue. ”
    A car horn honked .
    He glanced toward the door and then back to his wife . “ Damn it . Let ’ s talk about this tonight. ”
    She slid a white envelope out of her housecoat pocket. “ Her e. Like usual, I knew you wouldn ’ t have time to talk. So I took the libert y of writing it all down . ” She handed him the letter.
    “ Don ’ t do this, Betty. ”
    “ This is a long time coming . We both know it. It ’ s all there . ” She pointe d to the letter in hi s hand. “ Read it whenever you want. But