The Banshee's Desire Read Free Page B

sack."
    "Then why were you paying for sex?" 
    "I was framed," he said again, and took a long sip of beer. "Those bitches loved what I gave them."
    Toby didn't know if the bitches were supposed to be the dead prostitutes he was accused of killing or just women in general. Regardless, his opinion of the man sank even lower. Maybe Gabe should have let the guy just choke to death.
    "That's your last beer here in Merlyn's Bar." Toby's grim expression left no room for argument. A big broad shouldered man, he stood at his full height and nodded towards the door. "Don't come back."
    "What? What about innocent until proven guilty?" Outraged, Jacob stood. A few heads turned their direction as his voice grew louder. "I know the law!"
    "I don't give a fuck about the law, dipshit," Toby said. "This is my bar. I was going to let you finish that beer, but I changed my mind. I don't like you. Get the hell out."
    Jacob opened and closed his mouth, unsure of what to say or do.
    "Did you not hear me?" Toby walked around the bar and draped his arm over the other man's shoulder. "I'm throwing your ass out."
    Toby escorted Jacob to the door. Years of practice with unruly drunks had taught him how to get someone out quickly and efficiently without really disrupting the routine of the bar. Only the regulars, the ones who frequented the same stool every night, knew what he was up to.
    Everyone else was oblivious to the action.
    That was just the way Toby wanted it.
    With a gentle shove, he pushed Jacob Fortensky into the parking lot and the cool night air. A nice breeze was coming up off the river of Galesburg Falls, bringing with it the scent of Fall. If it weren't for the belligerent lawyer, Toby might have stepped outside to better enjoy it.
    "I'll fucking sue you!" Jacob hollered and staggered towards the parked cars. "Just watch me!"
    Toby shut the door. He pulled out his cell phone and called the local cab company.
    "Hey, Ronnie. Toby Williams here. Need you to come pick up Jacob Fortensky. Yeah, that Fortensky. He's drunk as a skunk. He doesn't know it yet, but the keys to his car have conveniently gotten lost." Toby smiled as Ronnie complained about driving all the way out to Merlyn's Bar. "Quit complaining and come pick him up. I'm good for the money."
    Toby hung up and twirled the set of car keys he'd lifted from Jacob.
    He didn't like the man, but Toby liked the thought of the drunken lawyer behind the wheel of a car even less. Toby would never be able to forgive himself if he let Jacob go and an accident occurred.
    He almost felt sorry for Jacob though. Ronnie really hated driving his cab all the way down to the bar. The cab driver knew every bump and pothole in Galesburg Falls and often hit them just to give rude passengers a jolt.
    Toby felt certain Jacob's ride home would be a bumpy one.

Chapter 2
     
    Angela left Merlyn's Bar through the back entrance. She'd parked her car behind the bar in order to keep it from getting scratched by the jerks who sometimes breezed in and out of the parking lot after one to many beers. While her vehicle wasn't some flashy sports car, it was the only one she had. Only one more payment left to make and then it would be hers free and clear.
    No sense in taking chances. Park in the back where it won't get damaged.
    That's what she'd told herself anyway. Now it seemed a bad plan. The back of the building faced the river and the tall trees lining the area swooped down low, casting spooky shadows everywhere.  The gentle flow of the river should have soothed her, but for some reason her nerves were on edge. She stood just outside the closed door and looked at her car, sitting twenty feet away.
    Just a short walk. Get goin'!
    Angela sighed and started to the car, wishing she wasn't going home alone. While she truly was happy for Jacqueline, the green monster of envy that lived inside Angela was rearing its ugly head. Why had Derek Spark turn out to be such a loser, such a complete asshole?
    More importantly,