That Touch of Ink Read Online Free Page A

So I looked through the glass on the front door when nobody answered the doorbell. The dog came out from the kitchen, tracking footprints of something. I saw the tipped silver stock and the sauce on the floor. I went around to the back and there was one window where the screen was missing so I used a rock to break the window and climbed in and the room was dark and I tripped over—” I halted abruptly before continuing. Sirens sang— weeooo, weeooo —filling my silence. More tires disturbed the lot out front. The whole time Tex kept his icy blue eyes trained on me. “—the body.”
    “That’s it?”
    “That’s the highlights.”
    Tex stood up. He held out a hand and, after a moment of hesitation, I took it and stood next to him. He leaned close, his face inches from mine. “I’m not going to lecture you about what you did. I’m not going to question your motives.”
    He turned toward the small army of cops and EMTs who had arrived at Paper Trail. I turned the other direction and stared at the field behind the building.
    “Right now, I’m going to go explain what happened here. Soon, I’m going to bring someone over here to take your statement. You are going to tell them what you told me. The truth. That was the truth, right?”
    “Of course it was the truth,” I said, turning to face him again.
    “Okay.” He started to walk away then stopped and turned back. “Listen to me, Night. Before any of that happens, I want you to do me one favor.”
    I stared into Tex’s face, caring less about what his favor would be than the fact that I was in a position where I was required to grant it. “What is it?” I asked quietly.
    “I want you to call your boyfriend.”

THREE

    Tex didn’t wait for my reply. He crossed the parking lot and met the officers gathering at the back door.
    I turned my back on them again and stared at the vacant lot in front of me. Soon enough, someone would need to take my statement, and they would easily find me when they did. Until then, I wanted no part of their investigation.
    Still shaken by the sounds of the scene behind me, I reached into my car and pulled the magazine out of my handbag. Under the collectible bill was the phone number. I took my phone out of my handbag and stared at the keypad. I closed my eyes. It didn’t matter that I’d tried to erase Brad from my memories. I might as well have tattooed his face on my thigh. He was that clear in my mind.
    I punched the buttons and listened to a ring and a half before I thought about Tex’s request that I make this call. Before I could analyze his motivation or question my willingness to comply, I heard Brad’s voice. I had hoped for a recording; I was not so lucky.
    “Brad?” I asked, even though I knew it was him. “It’s Madison.”
    “Maddy?” There was a pause. “I was hoping you’d have a change of heart.”
    I closed my eyes and took a ragged breath.
    “Are you okay?” he asked.
    “I’m—no. I’m not okay.” My voice quivered, and I fought to keep it calm. I was fairly certain I was unsuccessful. I looked at the house. Uniformed officers stood at varying degrees of proximity to the window. A few others were off to the side by my tire tracks.
    Tex rounded the building with his hands on his hips. A female officer was behind him. Tex said something to her, and she came over to me and picked up the dog. Tex’s eyes connected with mine. I looked away.
    “You surprised me this afternoon,” I said to Brad. “How long have you been in Dallas?” I asked.
    “A few days.”
    “Where are you staying?”
    “Mads, can we meet somewhere? There’s so much I want to say to you, and I’d rather do it in person. Dinner? Can I take you to dinner?”
    “Not Italian,” I said, remembering the smell of marinara.
    “I saw a Polynesian place by the highway when I drove in. Trader Josh’s? Do you know where that is?”
    “Yes. When?”
    “Half an hour?”
    “Fine. I might be a little late, but I’ll be