Killer Dreams Read Free

okay.” Jock Gavin looked up when she ran into the room. “I woke him as soon as the sensor went off. He didn’t get much of it.”
    “Enough.”
    Michael was sitting up, panting, his thin chest heaving. She flew over to the bed and gathered him into her arms. “It’s okay, baby. It’s over,” she whispered. She rocked him back and forth. “It’s all gone.”
    Michael’s arms tightened desperately around her for an instant before he pushed her away. “I know it’s okay,” he said gruffly. He drew a deep breath. “I wish you wouldn’t treat me like a kid, Mom. It makes me feel weird.”
    “Sorry.” Every time she swore to herself that she wouldn’t act this emotional, but she’d been caught off guard. She cleared her throat. “I’ll watch it.” She smiled shakily. “But some people would think you were a kid. Imagine that.”
    “I’ll go make you some breakfast, Michael,” Jock said as he headed for the door. “Get a move on. It’s seven-thirty.”
    “Yeah.” Michael got out of bed. “Cripes, I’ve got to get ready for school. I’ll be late for the bus.”
    “No hurry. I can drive you if you miss it.”
    “Nah, you’re tired. I’ll make it.” He looked back over his shoulder. “How’s that little baby?”
    “One episode. I think it’s one of the meds she’s on. I’m going to try to substitute.”
    “Great.” He disappeared into the bathroom.
    And when he closed that door, he was probably leaning against the sink and giving himself a minute to fight the nausea the terror brought. She had taught him how to do that but lately he was closing her out of the process. Perfectly natural reaction and there was no reason for her to feel hurt. Michael was ten and growing up. She was lucky they were still as close as they were.
    “Mom.” Michael had stuck his head out of the bathroom, a grin lighting his thin face. “I lied. It doesn’t really make me feel weird. I just thought maybe it should.”
    He was gone again.
    Warmth and overpowering love poured through her as she headed for the kitchen.
    “Nice kid.” Jock was standing at the counter. “Guts too.”
    She nodded. “Oh, yes. Any other episodes last night?”
    “Not according to your instruments. No significant increase in heart rate until just a few minutes ago.” Jock turned away. “Tell Michael that I made him toast and orange juice. I’ve got to go make a phone call. It’s time I checked in with MacDuff.”
    She smiled. “The first time I heard you say that I thought MacDuff was your parole officer instead of a Scottish Laird.”
    “In a way he is.” His eyes were twinkling. “If I didn’t check in every now and then, he’d be on my tail to make sure I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. We have an agreement.”
    “Because you grew up in a village on his estate doesn’t mean that he has any right to tell you what to do.”
    “He thinks it does. He grew up being very responsible and possessive about everyone in our village. He considers us all his family.” He smiled. “And sometimes I still think so too. He’s also my friend and it’s hard to tell a friend to go to hell.” His smile faded as he looked at her. “You have a scratch on your cheek.”
    She kept her hand from flying to her face. She’d cleaned up at a gas station but there was no way to hide the scratch. She should have known Jock would notice. He noticed everything. “It’s nothing.”
    His eyes were narrowed on her face. “I expected you an hour ago. Where were you?”
    She didn’t answer directly. “You could have reached me if there had been a problem with Michael.”
    “Where were you?” he repeated. “The facility?”
    She wouldn’t lie to him. She nodded jerkily. “He didn’t come. He’s shown up by seven on Tuesdays for the last three weeks. I don’t know why he didn’t come today.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “Dammit, I was ready, Jock. I was going to do it.”
    “You’ll never be