Rock Harbor Series - 03 - Into the Deep Read Online Free

trying to find him. Molly said she heard they found a body, but don’t quote me.”
    “Who’s Phil Taylor?”
    “One of the new scientists in charge of things out at Rock Hound Mine.”
    Lauri shook her head. “Seems crazy to put a lab in a mine. And they’re growing stuff in there, I hear. One of my customers this afternoon told me he saw them hauling in what looked like plants.”
    Kade grunted. “Sounds crazy, but with lights I suppose you can grow plants anywhere. And there would be plenty of humidity in there.”
    Lauri didn’t answer but stared at him, a thoughtful expression on her face.
    “What? Do I have dirt on my face?”
    She scowled. “I suppose you didn’t even speak to Bree, did you? You are as stubborn as the summer mold. It’s been two months and you haven’t even tried to hear her side of things.”
    “What is there to talk about? She prefers her fireman Nick. She can have him.”
    “You make me so mad! Bree too. She’s just as stubborn as you. If one of you would just apologize, everything would be fine.”
    “I have nothing to apologize for.” Kade crossed his arms over his chest.
    Lauri narrowed her eyes. “Men never apologize,” she said.
    She seemed about to launch into another tirade, but Kade shook his head. “Did you go for your doctor’s appointment this morning before work?”
    “Yep, everything is fine. The doctor says the baby is healthy.” She accepted the Dr Pepper Molly brought her and swished her straw through the dark liquid absently.
    Kade frowned as he watched her. The past two months had brought a definite softening of her attitude toward him, but the cost had been high. With his sister now four months pregnant and only seventeen herself, the future terrified him. Lauri was his responsibility, and the thoughtoften made him break out in a cold sweat in the early hours before dawn.
    So far he’d failed miserably. With Bree as well as his sister.
    Superior Forensics was in charge of the kitchen now that it looked as though Phil had been murdered. Bree wished she could fix Denise a cup of tea, but they’d been banished to the living room. Naomi had taken the boys to Anu’s.
    The bereaved wife rocked back and forth in the armchair by the window. “He can’t be dead,” she murmured.
    The living room was pleasant and homey with lots of family pictures scattered on the various end tables and walls. The blue and yellow color scheme would be cheerful in other circumstances. Toys lay scattered on the carpet, and the room looked every inch a happy home. Bree knew it would be a long time before much laugher echoed here again.
    “I’m so sorry, Denise,” Bree said, kneeling in front of the woman. “I know what you’re feeling. My husband died nearly two years ago in a plane crash.” Her eyes burned. She remembered every minute detail of how she heard the news about Rob. They were etched into her memory forever. She held Denise’s cold and shaking hands tightly.
    Samson pressed his nose against Denise’s leg and gave it a comforting lick. His wounds, mostly around his head, had been bandaged, giving him a wounded-hero appearance.
    “I need to do something,” Denise said. “Call our family, I suppose.” Fresh tears erupted. “I don’t know how I can tell his mother. He’s her only child.”
    Bree winced. “I could call for you.”
    “No, no, I should do it. It would be worse to hear it from a stranger.” She rubbed her eyes, then looked at Bree. “No offense.”
    “None taken. I think I have some Pepsi in the Jeep. Can I get you one? I have some pistachios as well.”
    “No thanks. I couldn’t eat anything. I suppose you think I had something to do with Phil’s death.” Denise wiped her red nose as fresh tears welled. “There has to be some mistake. When I left to go shopping, Phil was getting his things together to go fishing. He promised he’d be back by ten to help me with Adrian’s party.”
    “No one is accusing you of anything.”
    “You