The Past Came Hunting by Donnell Ann Bell

Author:Donnell Ann Bell [Bell, Donnell Ann]
Language: ara
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Thrillers, Suspense, Romance, General
ISBN: 9781611940626
Google: cRUhAp-2Yj8C
Amazon: B005NE53WS
Publisher: BelleBooks
Published: 2011-09-18T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-three

“Why wouldn’t you tell them, Mel? These people are concerned about their grandson.”

Speechless, Mel stared at Joe as he recounted the events that had transpired in the last two hours. Maxwell hadn’t been outside her house; her watcher had been a private detective hired by Luke’s maternal grandmother, Janice Walford.

Mel held out her hands. “I know this sounds bad, but with everything going on... Carl’s death, Maxwell, the move, getting Luke enrolled in school, finding a job... these people simply slipped my mind. First thing tomorrow, I’ll call them and set things right.”

Joe reached for her jacket looped over the back of his chair. He held it out to her. “I’d do it first thing.”

Her stomach in knots, she lifted her gaze, hoping to see a glimmer of understanding on his face. Instead, fatigue outlined his features, made only worse by the bandage covering the gash he’d sustained because of her.

“Peter and Janice Walford may be Luke’s grandparents, but they’ve hardly been a part of his life. Throughout the years, their visits became less and less frequent. Oh, they sent Luke token birthday or Christmas presents, but it isn’t like he really knows them.

“When Carl got sick, I called them to let them know what was happening. Not one response, no flowers at the funeral, not even a card. So here’s a question for you. Why would I think to call them when I’m running for my life?”

Joe’s expression morphed into something less critical. “I suppose you wouldn’t.”

“You’re angry.”

He shook his head. “I’m tired. More than that, I’m relieved you’re okay.”

Holding her coat to her chest like a security blanket, Mel stepped toward him. “And I’m worried about you. Thanks to me, you now have a scar on your arm and a bump on your head. What’s next? You only have so many body parts.”

Joe relieved her by taking her into his arms. “Good thing my uninjured body parts like being around you. You can make it up to me by finishing what we never got started tonight. Let’s go home.”

He opened the door to a janitor pushing a cleaning cart, making his rounds. He nodded to the man, switched off the lights to his office, waited for her to exit, then closed the door behind them.

Her mind garbled, Melanie focused on the Walfords and what she would say to them in the morning. Even so, as Joe took her elbow, she found his warm presence comforting. Near midnight, they made their way through the bright lobby to the outside and started toward the dimly lit parking lot.

A police cruiser eased onto Rio Grande, followed by a yellow taxi, and that’s when the lone man leaning against the red brick building stepped forward. He crushed out a cigarette and started for the cab, pausing when he saw them walking. “Lieutenant. Hold up.”

Joe tightened his grip around her bicep and pulled her close. Instinctively, Mel knew this was the man who’d been watching her.

Joe stepped in front of her, nearly blocking her view.

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