Lillian Duncan - Until Death Do Us Part Read Free Page A

paranoid doesn’t mean someone isn’t out to get you, was a perfect fit for Billy Clyde.
    Mr. Genius managed to get himself hired as a consultant to a government agency he refused to name. His job gave him access to very sensitive information and since he worked from home that meant he wanted his home to be safe and secure.
    Billy Clyde had designed and built a log cabin on an acre of property abutting the national forest. From their home it looked as if they were deep in the woods a million miles from civilization.
    But it was an illusion.
    An illusion that made both Billy Clyde and Theresa happy. Theresa could have her volunteer jobs, her friends, her church, and community while Billy Clyde could have his privacy. It worked for them.
    Billy Clyde and Theresa were as much in love as the first time he’d met them years ago. Billy Clyde had been his commanding officer in the Marines and took pity on the homesick newbie. He’d invited Dylan and the other bachelors to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family.
    First time he’d spend Thanksgiving with An African-American family but not his last. He definitely loved the extra food choices-mac and cheese, greens, and sweet potato pie—his favorite.
    He rounded the bend in the river and a small wood cabin came into view. It was Billy Clyde’s dog run and kennel and a miniature of the actual log cabin.
    Needing to scout the area first, Dylan continued downstream past the kennel. Hopefully, anyone keeping watch would think he was a lone fisherman enjoying the afternoon. After he’d gone a half-mile or so downriver, he turned the boat around and passed the area again, even more slowly and more vigilant.
    Not much was visible from the middle of the river, but there were no indications of a problem. Everything appeared peaceful but his time in the Marines had taught him looks could be deceiving.
    Several h undred yards above the dock, he turned the boat around once again, but this time turned off the motor. The sudden silence was eerie.
    He took a deep breath.
    The sloshing of the water against the boat sides soothed his nerves. As he neared the wooden dock, he allowed the boat to drift closer. The dogs’ barking became louder, almost frantic.
    H e planted his feet and grabbed for the rope knotted to the pylon. After grasping it, he pulled the boat alongside the dock. He stepped out of the boat onto the wooden slats. His body swayed with the movement until his equilibrium steadied itself.
    After he tied the boat to the mooring, h e eased over to the dog kennel, being careful to stay out of the line of sight from the cabin. He glanced at the house. Were Billy Clyde and Theresa in there— in trouble?
    The dogs had n’t noticed him yet. Too busy barking. They were charging from one end of the run to the other, biting at the thick wire that enclosed them. Their only focus was on the house.
    Not a good sign.
    Something was definitely wrong up there.
    He bent low and whispered. “Hey, Snappy.” The shepherd’s ears perked up, and he stopped in mid bark. His head swirled to where Dylan knelt. The dog looked back up towards the house and then trotted to Dylan. His nose jutted through the chain link fence.
    “ What’s going on up there? Is there a problem?”
    Snappy’s brown eyes gazed at him reflecting the same anxiety Dylan felt. He wanted to pat the dogs head, but the dog was called Snappy for a reason. “I know. I’m worried, too.”
    Not to be outdone Patches, the other shepherd, nudged Snappy aside with her humongous nose and pushed forward to be comforted by Dylan. When the dogs calmed, Dylan stood and moved into the woods. He was careful to stay hidden from the house.
    H e circled the kennel moving toward the cabin.
    As soon as he was out of the dogs ’ sights, the barking started up. Even more frenetic than before. Using the trees as cover, he moved closer to the cabin, praying Theresa and Billy Clyde would be inside safe and sound.
    They’d have a good laugh about