Bye Bye Bones (A CASSIDY CLARK NOVEL Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

back against the chair for support. With her posture perfect and her ponytail of black hair falling straight down the nape of her neck, she replied, “You are divorced. I know that. You know that.”
    “It’s a piece of stupid paper which will be replaced with a new marriage certificate. One piece of paper. Does Jaxon know you have arranged this meeting with me? Or did he send you to do his dirty work?”
    “It wasn’t his idea if that’s what you’re asking. It might have been quite the lunch if he could have joined us but he’s busy getting a restraining order against you. That’s why we could meet today, but not tomorrow, because there will be one from me, too.”
    “Another couple of ridiculous pieces of paper,” Sandra snapped.
    Jessica took a small sip of the Merlot. She paused while she pulled at her long hair before finally saying, “Why do you mean Jaxon harm? It’s been two years. The marriage is dissolved. Why harm Gecko?”
    “Stupid dog.”
    “I take it you aren’t fond of Gecko?” Jessica asked.
    “He was a wretched dog. Sometimes I think Jaxon loved that damn dog more than me.”
    Jessica resisted the urge to scream. She put her hands back to form the steeple, this time leaning forward to rest her chin on top of her fingers.
    “You used the past tense. Now, how would you know that Gecko died? It wasn’t exactly in the news and I didn’t say anything to you.”
    Sandra knocked back her vodka, unflinching. “He’s a past in my life.”
    Jessica glanced at her cell phone. A second text message. She smiled and eased her posture.
    “It’s him, isn’t it?” Sandra said.
    “I’m a busy woman. I get calls.”
    The waiter came by to collect their orders. Sandra shooed him away with a flip of her hand. “Not yet. But bring me another vodka, heavy on the pour.”
    She turned back to look Jessica straight in the eyes. “I don’t need to know one more thing about you, so bring it on. What do you want from me?”
    “I thought maybe we could make a truce, beginning with a gentler cadence in communication.”
    “Peace between you and me and the triangle you’ve created?”
    The fresh drink arrived and Sandra grabbed it.
    “You seem like a strong and confident woman. Why do you feel this need to be a stalker, Sandra?” Jessica asked.
    “My name is pronounced Sondra.”
    “Oh, my apologies. My cousin is named Sondra but it’s spelled with an O. It’s on her birth certificate. It’s in the spelling, you know.
“I’m no stalker, and I don’t give a damn about the alphabet.”
    “I guess I care more about proper grammar and pronunciation. A force of habit, based on my career.”
    Another slug of vodka. “You’re invitation amused me, so here I am. But I have a full calendar. Probably more full than yours. Move on.”
    “Why are you stalking us, Sandy?” Jessica blurted out.
    “I am not a Sandy, you goddamn slut. Never call me that, messy Jessie!”
    Sandra, or Sondra, obviously couldn’t stand being called Sandy. She got up, spilled the remains of her vodka across the bread basket and stormed away from the table.
    Jessica sent a quick text. Even though Sandra Vickery had left the table earlier than anticipated, everything was in place. The county processor would be waiting for her at the valet station to serve the restraining orders. She was not to come within one hundred feet of Jaxon’s residence, real estate offices or the country club where she was no longer a member. She was also ordered to stay away from Jessica Silva’s home and the television station. If she accidentally ran into either of them out in public, she was mandated to turn around and vacate the premises.
    Jessica ordered two crab salads, both heavy on the teeth-staining fresh beets.
    When Jaxon arrived at her table, Jessica couldn’t help herself. “She’s very beautiful in a stoic sort of way. She’s elegant. Tall and slim. Maybe even fragile. I’m sorry, but that’s certainly not how you described