Free Blood in the Marsh by Ciana Stone Page B

people being friends just because they like each other? Not everything has to do with sex or money.”
    Lexi opened her mouth to reply but Leo cut her off. “Well, if you have indeed inherited his estate then I think it only prudent that you retain legal counsel of your own. Also, you will need someone well versed in financial affairs to guide you. Therefore, I think it would be best if you let me handle this matter for you. I will make arrangements to have the house cleared and put on the market.”
    “You’ll do no such thing. I don’t want and don’t need your help. And just for your information, so there won’t be any misunderstandings, I don’t intend on selling Lucius’ house or his things.”
    “Then what do you plan on doing with it?” Lexi asked.
    “I’m going to move into the house.”
    “Alone?” Leopold smirked. “I do not think that is wise. I really think it would be best if…”
    “I don’t give a rat’s ass what you think!” Lyra was getting madder by the moment. “So just take your advice and shove it.”
    She walked to the kitchen door and stopped, turning to look at Leo and her mother. “And another thing, Leo. Stay out of my business and stay the hell out of my room because if you come near me again I’ll have you arrested. In case you haven’t noticed, you’re not the big dog around these parts. You’re on my turf now and the authorities around here don’t think too highly of foreign perverts harassing the local women. So save yourself some time and trouble and stay the hell away from me.”

    “Well, I never!” Lexi turned to Leo as Lyra stomped out of the room. “What in the world was all that about? I’ve never seen her like that. I didn’t even know she had it in her to get that mad. What in the world did you do to her?”
    Leopold laughed and stroked her face. “Why, nothing, my pet. Absolutely nothing. You know how young girls can be—imagining offence at the slightest thing.”
    Lexi smiled up at him. “Yes, especially Lyra. She acts like she’s scared to death of men, and if one does pay her attention she doesn’t know how to behave.”
    “Ummm, yes. Lexi, darling, has Lyra ever been with a man?”
    “I don’t have any idea. As icy as she is, probably not. Why?”
    “Just curious.” He considered it for a moment. The pieces of the puzzle were all coming together.

     

Chapter Four
    Brunswick, Georgia

    “What’re you still doing here?” Nick walked into the kitchen to find Michael sitting at the table. “You usually clear out at first light.”
    “Got some checking around to do on a case,” Michael said with a yawn.
    “Must be important for you to have that look.” Nick poured a cup of coffee and sat down. “I haven’t seen that look since…”
    “Don’t remind me. Damn, I thought once I left the military I’d leave all that shit behind. But it just follows you around, you know?”
    Nick nodded and took a drink of his coffee. “Is this case top secret or you want to talk about it?”
    Michael refilled his coffee cup and sat back down. “It’s kinda weird. This old man, you know the one I told you about that owned the farm next to my uncle—old man Black? Anyway, he calls up and complains about some hooligans stealing his prize calf. I went over to check it out and found this.” He pulled the snapshots from his pocket and put them on the table.
    Nick glanced at them and grimaced. “Grizzly stuff, man. Looks like you got yourself some kind of cult. What’s the word on the street?”
    “That’s what’s strange.” Michael stared at the pictures. “I’ve checked with every snitch I know and no one seems to know anything about it. Whoever’s doing this shit is doing it real quiet and no one’s talking.”
    “Maybe it’s just a bunch of kooks that get weird kicks from killing animals.”
    “I don’t know. I got a bad feeling about this one, Nick. And something else’s is gnawing at me. Right about the time this started, a college