Flood Zone by Dana Mentink

Author:Dana Mentink
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-07-08T16:00:00+00:00

TWELVE

Mia was gasping for breath by the time she made it to the house, pulling up next to Dallas who had just about reached the front door when it was flung open. A short, balding man stopped short, mouth wide. His arm was half raised, as if to shield himself from a blow.

“Peter Finnigan?” Dallas said.

The man glared, the fleshy pouches under his eyes bunching. “Who wants to know?”

“We heard a scream,” Mia panted, by way of explanation. “Glass breaking.”

“There’s nothing wrong,” he said. “Everything’s fine. Go away.”

“Not quite, Peter” came a singsong voice.

Mia gaped as Susan stepped up behind Peter. She wore clean clothes, her hair in a neat twist, a placid smile on her lips. Dallas seemed equally at a loss for words until he managed, “Are you hurt?”

Susan laughed. “Such a gentleman.” She gave Mia a coy look. “You should keep him.”

Mia’s cheeks burned. “Susan, what’s going on?”

She waved them in with an airy gesture. “Come in, why don’t you? I just came to see Peter. We’re acquainted. He’s the man who tried to save my drowning husband, so he says.”

Peter scanned the porch quickly, as if he was assessing the likelihood of an escape. Then he mumbled something, stepped aside and allowed them to enter.

“I’m glad you’re here. She’s some loony who busted in. When I wouldn’t give her what she wanted, she started throwing things. I’m leaving just as soon as I can get her out.”

Mia noticed a floral fragrance in the air and there was something familiar in the smell. Peter pulled keys and a wallet from a small bowl. While his back was turned, Mia spotted an old photo on the floor, partially hidden by shards of glass that littered the hardwood floor.

The snapshot was old and grainy, but it showed Peter with a taller man, heavily bearded, standing in a small boat. A third man was seated, holding a net. Peter stood to the left of them, dangling a fish for the camera, grinning.

She saw Susan looking at her. Quickly Mia tucked the picture into her pocket.

“What got smashed?” Mia asked.

Susan waved an impatient hand. “I startled Peter and he dropped his drinking glass. I was asking him what he knew about my husband’s death.”

He flashed a sullen look. “I dunno what you’re talking about. She’s crazy, like I said.”

Susan sighed. “All right, I’ll get the ball rolling. Let’s stroll down memory lane. Fifteen years ago, you saw my husband, Asa, drown, didn’t you? What a story you told the police about how you tried in vain to save him, battling the waves at your own peril. Made yourself look like a real hero.”

Peter folded his arms, then unfolded them and shoved his hands in the pockets of his faded jeans. “You already know what happened, Susan.”

“So,” Susan said, her tone cheerful as if she was reciting a bit of poetry. “You lied. You and Thomas.” She looked at Mia and Dallas. “Dr. Elias, as you know him. To me he’ll always be Thomas.

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