Against the Tide Read Online Free Page A

and icy roads had sent her little Volvo careening off the hill into a tree.
    The diamond ring never left the store. Rafe finished out the school year, then joined the Coast Guard. He’d become a Rescue Swimmer, stayed in the service for the next five years, and aside from his family, had done his best not to let himself get too deeply involved with anyone ever again.
    He thought of Scotty, and the tightness in his chest reminded him why he was better off keeping his emotions in check and his heart locked up good and tight.
    Rafe parked the Expedition in front of the house. As he glanced over at the front door, his chest clamped down so hard, he could barely breathe.
    He knew what Cassie was feeling.
    Exactly what Cassie was feeling.
    Stepping out of the vehicle, he walked up the sidewalk onto the porch and rang the bell, took a couple of deep breaths while he waited for the door to open.
    â€œRafe.” Lois reached out and took hold of his hand, gave it a gentle squeeze. “Thank you so much for coming.”
    He just nodded, glad Cassie’s mother was there. “How is she?”
    â€œA little better. Olivia Chandler stopped by. She’s in there with her now.”
    Rafe looked over the petite woman’s head, saw Olivia sitting on the sofa next to Cassie. For an instant their eyes met and held. Even with the weight of Scotty’s death pressing like a boulder on his shoulders, he felt a little tug of awareness.
    He walked directly to Cassie, crouched in front of where she sat on the sofa, and took hold of both her hands. They were ice-cold and trembling. “I’m really sorry, honey. Scotty was one of the good guys. We’re all going to miss him.”
    The girl just leaned forward, slid her arms around his neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and started to cry. Rafe hung on to her hard, wishing there was something he could say, something he could do.
    Knowing there wasn’t a single damn thing.
    She finally eased away, wiped her eyes as he rose to his feet. “It’ll get better, I promise you,” he said. “It just takes a lot of time.”
    She looked into his face and he could tell she understood what he was saying. Understood that he’d felt the same kind of loss and survived it.
    â€œHave you talked to the police since you saw them at the dock?” Olivia asked. “Have they made an arrest?”
    â€œNo word yet. I called Chief Rosen before I came over. He wasn’t in, but I left a message. I’ll call again as soon as I leave.”
    â€œThey’ve got to find the killer,” Olivia said with such conviction, Rafe blinked. “People get away with murder and it just isn’t right.”
    Cassie dashed away the tears on her cheeks. “I want to know who killed him, Rafe. I want to know why whoever did it picked Scotty. I want that animal brought to justice.”
    â€œThe police are doing their best. Valdez is a small town. Odds are good they’ll find him.”
    â€œWhat if they don’t? I can’t stand to think of it. I can’t stand to think that Scotty is dead and someone is walking around free, walking around as if killing him means nothing.”
    The muscles tightened across Rafe’s shoulders. He’d had the same thought, kept telling himself to let the authorities do their job. Knew that with every passing hour their chances of finding the killer were growing slimmer.
    Before his brother Nick had quit his job last year, he’d been a homicide detective with the Anchorage PD. Which meant Rafe knew more about police work than the average guy and had a brother willing to help in any way he could.
    Rafe also knew too many crimes went unsolved.
    â€œWhoever did it isn’t going to get away with it,” he said. “I’m not going to let them.” He fixed his gaze on Cassie.
    â€œIf you’re up to answering some questions, maybe we can work together, help the police figure things