Sara Morningsky Read Online Free Page A

clenched
tightly. He sat down next to her.
    “ It’s as if Grandmother knew.” She
unfolded the note and handed him the necklace. “I think she wanted
you to have this.”
    Dagger took the necklace from her and touched
her arm. Her body recoiled like the frightened wolf he had found in
the forest. Sara, too, was afraid of all humans except her
grandmother. It would take a lot to quell her fears of living in a
world as an outcast.
    For a moment when he had met Ada yesterday,
he had wondered if she was Sara’s great-grandmother, not
grandmother. If he counted the folds of skin as anyone would the
rings in a tree to determine age, she had to have been over one
hundred years old. It was as though she had been waiting for
someone to take her place as Sara’s protector. Once Dagger came on
the scene, Ada seemed grateful finally to be able to rest.
    His gaze drifted toward the skylights and he
took in the enormous size of the house. The property was isolated,
safe, and secure. He walked over to an adjacent room that was
sparsely dotted with floor plants. By the looks of the floor
drains, it might have been planned as the service center for the
car dealership.
    Glancing over at Sara he saw a frightened
child in many ways but a unique woman in others. Although Ada Kills
Bull had been able to be a companion and confidante to her
granddaughter, there was very little she taught her about the
outside world, his world.
    “ Come here, Sara.”
    Slowly Sara approached, still keeping her
distance, her hands trembling.
    “ Einstein and I have been kicked out of
our apartment and office. I think this area would make a great bird
room. I can take over your grandmother’s bedroom and,” he turned
toward the living room, “I can cordon off a portion of the living
room to set up my office.” He studied her face as she nervously
chewed on her bottom lip. “What do you think?”
    You mean you want to move in here after you
are married?”
    “ No, Sara. There isn’t going to be a
wedding.”
    “ Oh.”
    “ That relationship was on shaky ground
from the start.”
    “ Oh,” Sara repeated.
    “ I can pay you one thousand dollars a
month for the room and office space.”
    “ That’s way too much,” Sara
protested.
    “ You need to make a living, Sara. You
can’t live on vegetables and hand-me-downs all your life.” At least
she didn’t say no, Dagger thought. “Seven hundred and fifty and
that’s my last offer.” Sara forced a smile. “Dagger Investigations
could also use a partner.”
    “ Me?”
    Dagger smiled. “I could use someone with your
unusual…talents.” Sara’s eyes filled again. He cautiously reached
out, wrapped his arms around her and held her until she stopped
shaking. “You’re going to be fine, Sara,” he whispered. “Your
secret is safe with me.”

    - END -

    Note from the author:

    Sara Morningsky first appeared
in A Mystery in Mind Anthology in 2004. This short story is a prelude to the Chase Dagger
series and was never meant to be a series. However, the characters
refused to shut up. There are currently four books in the
series. The Good Die Twice, Full Moon
Bloody Moon, The Unseen, and Chasing Ghosts . Visit the author at
www.sdtooley.com