Lethal Journey Read Online Free Page B

history. It’s
sure as hell not a coincidence.” Eric took a step closer to the bed
and kept his hands buried in his pockets.
    “That van
wanted us off the road. Pure and simple. Like it was hunting us
down.”
    Eric studied
Stephen’s face. The man hadn’t aged much other than a couple new
wrinkles around his eyes and a few extra gray hairs. He had the
same strong features as Lauren; high cheekbones, full lips and a
smile that could melt ice.
    “Any unusual
phone calls? Letters? I mean you prosecuted the bastard years
ago.”
    “Nothing out of
the ordinary but why are you involved?”
    Eric clenched
both fists, his muscles twitched in his arms. “One of Valdina’s men
killed my father.”
    Shock burst
across Stephen’s face. “Jesus, I didn’t know.” His voice trembled.
“Sorry about your father. A real shame.”
    Hard to believe
Stephen Taylor had softened over the years. Not the same tough guy
who had offered Eric a hundred thousand dollars to pay for his
sister’s cancer treatments providing he got the hell out of
Lauren’s life. Of course Eric didn’t take the money. Instead picked
up extra shifts whenever he could.
    “Yeah,
thanks.”
    “How’s your
sister?”
    “Good. The
cancer’s been in remission for almost three years.”
    “That really is
good news. I assume you’ve seen my daughter—how is she?”
    “Pretty groggy
and worried about you. The accident could’ve been a lot worse.”
    “You’re telling
me. Not a ride I want to take again.” The lines on Stephen’s face
finally relaxed. “Thank God, Lauren is okay.”
    Eric gestured
at the white cast surrounding Stephen’s foot. “How’s the foot?”
    “A minor break
and sore as hell, but keeping Lauren safe and making sure Valdina
gets what he deserves are the only two things I care about.”
    “Guess we have
a lot in common.”
    Stephen’s mouth
tightened a fraction.
    Pete
poked his head inside the door. Perfect timing .
    Eric nodded to
him. “My partner here will get your statement. Can you think of
anyone else who might want to hurt you or Lauren?”
    Stephen pushed
his head back into the pillow, his eyelids looked heavy. “No. Not a
soul.”
    “ I know I
don ’ t have to remind you to keep alert. You
already know you ’ re playing with
the big boys. And these
guys play to win—no matter the cost.”

Chapter Five
     
     
    Later that
morning, armed with her father’s overnight bag, Lauren opened the
front door to her house. Lucy bounced up and down and whimpered
with delight.
    She bent and
retrieved the mail from the foyer floor then gave the dog a long
pat on the head. “I bet you missed me. Let’s get you outside.”
    Her father
hurried past Lauren, his crutches thumped and creaked against the
hardwood floor. “I’ve got to make a phone call.”
    The scowl on
his face said it all. He wasn’t thrilled about staying with her but
agreed they should stick together.
    In the kitchen,
she opened the French doors to the patio. Twenty foot dogwoods
swayed in the wind. Lucy sprinted outside, across the yard, and
tried without success to catch a butterfly.
    After Lauren
changed out of the green scrubs the hospital had supplied and into
a pair of shorts and a sweatshirt, she filled the tea kettle with
water then made a pot of coffee. She eyed her father in the living
room at the antique desk, talking on the phone.
    “Troy, I need
you on the next flight home. Sorry, I know it’s a day early.
Someone ran us off the road. Yeah, we’re both okay.” He paused for
a moment. “Drop by after you get settled. No. I’m at Lauren’s
house.” Her father was silent for a moment. “This was no accident.
Yes. I’m sure. Troy—listen carefully. Make a few calls. See if you
can find out anything.” Her father hung up the phone.
    She noticed his
eyes—icy and unresponsive, his jaw clamped.
    “Are you
okay?”
    “I need
coffee.” His mouth tightened more. “You know how I get when I don’t
get enough caffeine.”
    “I