River of Bones by Dan Padavona (books you need to read TXT) 📕

pane, prepared to kick through the glass. That’s when he noticed the window was open a crack, the summer breeze swaying the curtains.

He yanked the screen off and tossed it into the parking lot. Angry voices shouted from inside Anthony’s kitchen. If Kilo stuck his head out the window, he’d spot LeVar. With the screen removed, LeVar crouched upon the ledge and yanked the window open. He crawled inside the apartment before the gang members spotted him.

LeVar glanced around the apartment. He stood inside a kitchen, a mirror image of Anthony’s, though the neighbor kept this kitchen tidy. A vase on the table held roses, and a fan over the stove buzzed. LeVar peeked his head into the living room. Didn’t see the neighbor. The bedroom door stood closed.

He crept across the floor and edged the front door open. A woman in the corridor shouted for someone to call the police. When she turned her back, LeVar spun into the hallway and sprinted for the stairwell.

“Stop that kid!”

A man’s voice. Gruff and irate.

LeVar bounded down the stairs, the dress shoes slowing him down until he kicked them off.

He escaped through the cellar as the first police siren wailed through the city.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Saturday, August 14th

3:10 p.m.

 

Raven lifted her chin and strode into Wolf Lake Consulting, prepared for an argument. She couldn’t fathom why LeVar had blown off the appointment. Now she needed to defend her brother to Chelsey, and her boss had sounded like a time bomb ticking down to zero on the phone.

Chelsey was at her desk when Raven entered the room.

“That was his only chance, Raven. I need dependable workers, not people like your brother.”

“That’s not like LeVar. There has to be a reason he didn’t show.”

“Whatever the reason, he lost his opportunity. And that’s the last time I take advice from you on who I should hire.”

Rage, emotional fatigue, and a month’s worth of frustration boiled to the surface inside Raven.

“You know something, Chelsey? You’ve turned into a real b—”

She cut the insult short when the door opened. Saturday visitors were unusual. It had to be LeVar. Chelsey glared at Raven, as if daring her to complete the curse. Raven held her hands up in exasperated surrender.

Paul Phipps, the camper who’d hired Raven, rounded the corner.

“Mr. Phipps, you should have called instead of driving into the village.”

Phipps glanced between the two women. Chelsey rocked in her chair, watching Raven, no doubt hoping she’d make a mistake with Phipps. Then Chelsey would have an excuse to fire Raven. Maybe that was for the best. A few weeks ago, Raven had considered Chelsey her best friend. But she wouldn’t work another day beside this version of Chelsey.

“What’s the latest on my case? Have you caught the thief?”

“Please sit,” Raven said, gesturing at an open chair.

“I prefer to stand.”

Raven brushed the hair off her forehead as Chelsey’s glare cut into her back.

“We have a lead, Mr. Phipps. I’m working with the park ranger, and we’ve covered the campgrounds with surveillance cameras. If the thief returns, we’ll catch him.”

Phipps sniffed.

“Sounds to me like you’re nowhere near finding the brigand. What sort of operation do you run here?”

Raven turned her head to Chelsey, who lifted her brow and raised her palms, as if echoing Phipps’s question.

“I assure you, we’re close to catching him. We discovered shoe prints, and the ranger spotted him in the forest. But I must ask, Mr. Phipps. Is this case worth your money? You’ve already paid twice what the thief stole from your wife’s wallet. Even if we find your money—”

“It’s not about breaking even. This is a matter of principle. I want the outlaw brought to justice.”

Raven sighed.

“As you wish, Mr. Phipps. I promise I’ll give you an update by Monday.”

“I’ll expect progress.”

Phipps gave Chelsey a curious look before turning away. The door closed, and an awkward silence settled over the room.

“Well handled, Raven,” Chelsey said, her expression blank as she clapped. “Bravo. Perhaps you should enlist your mystery-solving team to catch the campgrounds outlaw and save the day.”

“I’m doing my best. Lay off. Instead of criticizing me, why don’t you help? We could use an extra set of eyes on the camp.”

Chelsey shook her head and slung her bag over her shoulder.

“I don’t have the time or patience.”

“Where are you going now?”

“Home. I don’t feel well and shouldn’t have come in today.”

Raven couldn’t take it anymore. She rounded on Chelsey and blocked her from exiting the room.

“You’re not going anywhere until we discuss what’s happening with you.”

Chelsey threw up her hands.

“Nothing is happening. I caught the flu. You should back away before you catch it too.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know you better than anyone. You aren’t sleeping, you refuse to leave the house, and you’re falling behind at work. These are classic signs of—”

“Don’t say it.”

“Why? You need help. Hiding from the truth won’t make you better.”

“I’m not listening to this.” Chelsey moved past Raven. Raven shifted her body and placed a hand on Chelsey’s shoulder. “Move.”

“No. You can’t push me away this time.” As Raven held her friend in place, the neckline of Chelsey’s T-shirt dipped and revealed the inflamed lacerations. Raven flinched. “Tell me about your chest.”

Chelsey’s face twisted.

“My chest? What the hell are you talking about?”

“You’re covered with cuts from your neckline to your chest.” Raven took a breath. “If you’re hurting yourself...”

Her friend’s eyes narrowed before widening with understanding.

“Oh, my God. You think I’m cutting.”

“That’s what it looks like.”

“You’re…I can’t believe…Oh, this is priceless.” Chelsey wrestled with the clasp on her necklace. When the hooks refused to unfasten, she grabbed the necklace and yanked it off, snapping the clasp in half. A piece clinked off the floor and skittered under the desk. “The cuts are from the necklace, for God’s sake.” When Raven glanced at Chelsey in question, Chelsey rolled her eyes and slapped the necklace on the desk. “It’s a family heirloom. My great aunt passed it down to my aunt, and now I own the damn thing. I