Chain Reaction by Dee Davis

Author:Dee Davis [Davis, Dee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Suspense, Women's Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Fiction
ISBN: 9781426801808
Google: ACplcybPjIoC
Amazon: 0373772068
Publisher: HQN
Published: 2007-05-28T23:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“YOU’RE SURE THIS IS the right place?” Nick stepped out of their latest car, a Toyota, with a frown. Despite the neon Open sign in the window, the place wasn’t exactly inviting. A couple of pickup trucks sat in the parking lot, along with a beat up Chevy that had obviously seen better days. The afternoon was gray, the smell of rain heavy in the air, and the temperature cold enough to hint at the coming fall.

The building itself was weathered clapboard, the wood a faded gray with worn splotches of what had once been green paint. A variety of license plates decorated the area surrounding the front door. And thanks to some strategically burned-out lightbulbs, the sign out front cheerfully flashed the words ass Bar, the M and y’s in Massy’s Bar missing in action.

Colorful was the word that came to mind. Although dump was probably a better description.

“Ellis definitely said Massy’s,” Mia said, emerging from the passenger side without giving the dive a second look.

“I take it you know the place?”

“I’ve been here a couple times. Bill Massy and I went to high school together. His dad owns the place.”

“So we’ll get the royal treatment.” He couldn’t explain it, but the idea of meeting some guy from Mia’s past didn’t sit that well.

“Not likely. I was kind of an outsider. I doubt Bill would remember me. Anyway, we’re not here for old home week.”

“Right.” He pulled open the door and held it for Mia, trying to ignore the tight curve of her ass in her jeans. There was a reason people weren’t supposed to mix business with pleasure.

The inside of the bar was no better maintained than the outside. Although if there were a prize for most neon, Massy’s would be a contender. Every square inch of wall space sported a beer sign of some kind, the rainbow colors reflected in the mirror behind the bar.

A group of men huddled solemnly around a color TV mounted above the bar. Even the bartender was staring up at the screen. The sound was muted, but the images needed no explanation.

Cedar Branch in the moment of its destruction.

The fact that the video had been taken from almost fifty miles away didn’t lessen the power of the image. And despite the fact that they’d seen it repeatedly since they’d left Mia’s ranch, it still made the hair on the back of Nick’s neck prickle.

Mia stood frozen, her eyes widening in pain. He reached for her, his fingers closing around her elbow. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her eyes still glued to the screen. “It’s just so hard.”

“I know, sweetheart, but you’ve got to try and focus. The best thing we can do for your friends is find answers.”

She nodded and wrenched her gaze from the TV.

“You see him?” Nick scanned the bar for signs of the old man, but the patrons all seemed too young.

“Over there.” Mia nodded toward the far corner. A tall man in a cowboy hat emerged from the shadows, his weather-beaten face breaking into a smile.

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