Indemnity: Book Two: Covenant of Trust Series Read Free

without speaking, Christine knew something had happened. Seeing the angry confrontation, hearing the raised voices, confirmed it was something extraordinary. She could only think of one person who could get that kind of reaction from Bobbi - Tracy Ravenna.
    Chad Mitchell, Chuck’s right hand man, passed through the lobby and caught her stealing glances at the couple. “What’s going on?” he asked, nodding toward Chuck’s office.
    “ I’m not sure.”
    “ But you’ve got a gut instinct, right?”
    “ I can’t say anything. I might be wrong.”
    “ I’d bet my life on your instincts.”
    “ Please don’t breathe a word of this, but Mr. Mitchell, I think Tracy is back.”
     

GAUNTLET
     
     
     
    Gavin and Rita Heatley pulled into the driveway at the Molinskys’ house. “You didn’t say two words on the way over here,” Rita said. “What are you thinking?”
    “ I don’t have enough information to think anything yet,” Gavin answered.
    “ Not even a feeling, an impulse?”
    “ That’s your job, not mine,” he said with a teasing smile.
    “ You think Chuck is telling the truth? That he didn’t know anything about this?”
    “ Rita, Chuck would have to be a pathological liar—”
    “ Oh, he would not.” Rita rolled her eyes in frustration, and got out of the car. “What if he was trying to protect Bobbi?”
    “ Would you lie to protect her?” Gavin waited for her to round the car and join him.
    “ I might. After all she went through, I just might.”
    He gave her his patented shame-on-you middle school principal headshake. “Lies never shelter and protect. Only the truth can do that. Shielding Bobbi is exactly what Chuck wants, what we want, and that takes truth and trust.” He took her hand. “Your job is to be the strong, supportive, big sister you always are.”
    “ You said it with a straight face.”
    “ I’ve been practicing,” he said, then rang the doorbell.
    Gavin may have been teasing, but Rita intended to take Bobbi’s side, no matter what.
     
     
    When Bobbi’s eyes met her sister’s, she felt a release that comes only in the presence of those who have walked through the fire with you and for you. Chuck wanted to talk, to reason, to think aloud. She needed bolstering, and vindication, not more words. Rita understood that.
    She pulled away after a long embrace, and Rita’s hands slipped down to hers. “Not even sweaty,” Rita said, as if that was some sort of bonus.
    “ It’s an act.” Bobbi stretched up to hug Gavin. “I’m counting on your judgment, Gavin. I don’t trust mine or Chuck’s right now.”
    “ Don’t second-guess yourself.”
    “ Easier said than done.” But even for Rita and Gavin, there were appearances to keep up. “There’s coffee.” Bobbi led them back to the kitchen. Two coffeemakers stood on the counter, plainly labeled after Chuck ended up with an exotic coffee one too many times. “Mine or Chuck’s?”
    “ What is yours?” Rita asked.
    “ Italian,” Bobbi smiled.
    “ That I can handle. Now when you do Turkish or Indonesian, those are too strong.”
    “ Gavin?” Bobbi poured a cup for Rita.
    “ No, thanks. It’s way too hot outside for coffee.”
    “ That’s why I have air conditioning.” Bobbi closed her eyes as she sipped from her own cup, savoring the aroma, enjoying the warming sensation, treasuring the momentary respite.
    “ Baby, you should make commercials,” Rita kidded.
    Bobbi held up her finger. “Coffee is my one luxury.” She heard a car door slam out in the driveway. “I think that’s Ann.” She gulped from the cup, and then set it by the sink. “Chuck wants everybody in the living room.”
    Chuck wants . Not “we want.” Somewhere between Chuck’s office and the retreat to their separate corners at home, their partnership dissolved subtly, reflexively. She had no doubts he’d battle Tracy until his last breath, but he’d leave her behind to do it.
    Bobbi met Chuck in the foyer. “You wanna