Edge of Shadows (Shadows #1) Read Online Free Page A

house. That had to be what those noises were.
    “I didn’t mean to jump. I thought I heard something again, but like you said, old houses…” he said lamely. “Did your husband have any questions?”
    “I think we should go back to your office, Mr. Klein. I sent my husband some pictures and he is in perfect agreement with me. We are ready to make an offer.”
    Joe was sure his jaw hit the floor. Was it really going to be that easy? The stupid grin returned to his face, but he couldn’t help it.
    “Well, that is just great!” He automatically reached out to shake her hand. This time she took a step back and he jerked his hand back. There was something about touching her that made the thoughts in his head feel mushy.
    “I know it is getting late, and I’m sure you want to get home to your family. I will follow you,” she said, sweeping out the front door.
    Joe watched her leave, his jaw slack as he saw dollar signs dancing in the air in front of him. Then he realized that light duty was on him after all. He hummed to himself as he quickly went through the house turning off the lights. The big commission coming his way was enough to distract him, although he was almost running to complete the task as quickly as possible. He wasn’t sure if he should call his wife right away, or wait until the paperwork was officially signed.
    Just as he reached the front hallway and had his finger on the light switch he heard something. Was that a moan?
    “Hell, no,” he said out loud. He left the hallway light on as well as the porch lights. The cleaning crew could take care of it. He didn’t care. He quickly moved out the door, pulling it shut behind him and locking it. Mrs. Jordan was already down in her car with the engine running.
    Joe hurried down the steps, and thought again that despite the noises and his strange reaction to the woman, this was the luckiest day of his life.
     
    Linda Jordan watched with narrowed eyes as the real estate agent shuffled to his car as quickly as his feet would carry him. He waved at her with a smile as he got in. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the head rest for a moment as she waited for him to get settled.
    It had been exhausting keeping up the charade with the man, and she had almost forgotten herself in her excitement at seeing the house through these eyes again. Plus he had been so close to her that it had been intoxicating. She was annoyed at the blatant interruption, but she knew it was only because she had overstepped her boundaries. She was out of practice, but she wouldn’t let it happen again. It was all about the end game, and things were just starting to heat up. She looked up at the house again and the smile returned to her face. Soon things would be exactly the way they should be again.

CHAPTER THREE
    The dream was familiar and Ellie sank into it without protest. She was looking down at the swish of the hem of her dress as she walked slowly along the stone pathway. The wide-brimmed hat on her head cut off her peripheral vision, but she knew he was walking next to her. She could see his dark gray trousers and black shoes keeping pace with her easily.
    She spun the parasol in her fingers and laughed. It felt good to laugh again. There was a deep chuckle from the man next to her, and she knew that he understood. He didn’t care that she was different. In fact, that was something that attracted him to her. It felt peaceful and calm here. She looked to her left and took in the lake. It was so beautiful. She saw other couples strolling along across the far side as well, and she felt the sun’s heat warming her skin. It was a perfect afternoon.
    Ellie closed her eyes and raised her face to the sun, welcoming its warm rays. That was when the high-pitched, screechy tone intruded on her tranquility.
    Her eyes opened into blackness and her throat tightened. Ellie didn’t like the dark, and usually she left a small bedside table lamp on. The phone next to her bed was