If It Walks Like A Killer (The Carolina Killer Files #1) Read Free

Ackles’ divorce. I tried to keep them separated but they’ve had me running all day. That was the last thing on my To Do list.”
    “Okay, thanks. Looks like we’re set then. It’s getting late. You look exhausted, you should head on home.”
    Blaire touched her hair defensively. “You saying I look bad, Caide Abbott?”
    “You never look bad, Blaire,” he said honestly, placing the stack of papers on his desk.
    “You’d better say that.” She tossed him a playful wink as she headed for the door. “Hey, you want to go grab drinks after this? I mean, if you’re getting ready to head out too.”
    He glanced at his watch again. “No. I can’t tonight. Rachael’s expecting me home. I should’ve been home hours ago but I have a few more phone calls to make. You go on though, don’t wait for me. I’ll lock up.”
    “Rain check?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
    He sighed, already dialing a number. “Yeah, rain check.”
     
    ***
     
    It was just after ten when Caide finally walked into his dark house. It was silent, not even a TV going. He tiptoed across the living room, walking into the kitchen to grab something to eat. The table was made, set for one. She’d made his favorite pasta and garlic bread. She’d even bought good wine. He walked over, sticking his finger into the cold pasta and trying a taste. There were two drawings, one from each of his children and a new watch lying beside his plate. Great, I’ll have three helpings of your world famous guilt, Mrs. Abbott.
    The light in the kitchen flipped on suddenly. He turned around, his wife stood behind him, an icy look on her face.
    “It’s probably cold. We ate hours ago.”
    “Thanks. I’ll warm up some leftovers.”
    “There are none.”
    “Okay then, I’ll find something else to eat.” He walked to the refrigerator.
    “I bought you a watch. Apparently yours is broken.”
    “Alright, here we go. I’m sorry I’m late.”
    “Why don’t you just record yourself saying that? You could replay it every time we have this fight and save yourself a lot of effort.”
    “I’m not fighting. I had to work to provide for this family. Sometimes that means I’m going to be late, and that’s a sacrifice we just have to make.”
    “That’s a sacrifice we make, Caide. Your children. Your wife. We sacrifice life without you.”
    “Oh, don’t be dramatic. I come home every night.”
    “After we’re in bed. After they’re asleep. This has to stop, Caide. Our kids need to see more of you.”
    “I’ve told you, once work slows down I’ll be home more. It’s just busy right now. Mason and Meachum is booming and I can’t slow down, they need me.”
    “We need you too.”
    “More than you need money? Or this house? Or this food?” He slammed the plate into the sink.
    “Don’t do that. Don’t come home in a bad mood.”
    “Can I just eat in peace?” He poured a salad into his bowl and grabbed his glass of wine.
    “Fine.” She twirled around, headed back down the hall. “Happy Anniversary.”

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Brinley
     
    Mommy has a bowl of cereal made for me and I eat it very fast because I am ready to go to the park. Mommy is getting Davis dressed, who looks funny because he is so sleepy.
    “Daddy, are you going to the park too?” I ask because I want to know.
    He brings his coffee cup over and sits beside me. “Of course I am, Peanut. Just like I said I would.”
    Sometimes Daddy calls me peanut even through it’s not my name. He kisses the top of my head. I am all done with my cereal, Bubba is dressed, and Daddy takes the last drink of his coffee so we can go.
    We walk to the car and I see a big puddle beside my door, which is funny because we are inside the garage and plus it hasn’t rained in a long time. Mommy and Daddy are too busy talking to see and I am excited because I loves to jump in puddles. If no one sees me jump I will not get in trouble.
    I walk up to the big puddle and