Free Lifting the Veil by Kate Allenton Page B

chief’s baby sister and you’re my damn partner.”
    She shrugged. “If I’m your damn partner, then start acting like it. I’m not asking for permission, Jack. I’ll do it after work, myself. You don’t even need to be involved.” She slid a sideways glance his way. “That way I won’t get you in trouble.”
    “Yeah, because working by yourself sounds like such a smart idea.” Jack shook his head.
    Jack put the SUV in gear and pulled out of the bar parking lot. They arrived back at her apartment, and she hopped out, not giving him a chance to argue with her anymore tonight. She wasn’t changing her plans. There was no talking her out of it. She waved at Gladys, her neighbor, and walked into her apartment, locking the door behind her. She leaned back against the wood. Jack Love was right about one thing. This wasn’t a game and the killer was real. She knew the basics of protecting herself, but this called for something a little more drastic if she was going to be snooping around. She walked into her kitchen and rooted around in her junk drawer for the can of mace that her brother insisted she carry.
    She dusted it off and shoved it into her purse before heading to her room.
    Her vision was spinning from the vodka as she stripped out of her clothes and into her favorite tank top and yoga pants before crawling into bed. Drinking in general wasn’t her norm, but drinking on a work night wasn’t something she ever did. She’d pay the price in the morning when the alarm clock was blaring and she’d rather just sleep. It was inevitable. She pulled the covers over her body and prayed for a peaceful sleep, hoping the voices would keep quiet to provide her some self-preservation.

Chapter 7
    Sophie thought she was dreaming when the banging started on her door. The doorbell went off in
    quick succession, letting her know she was not. The sun was blaring through her window. She glanced at the alarm clock and realized she’d overslept.
    “Shit.” She hurried from the bed. Someone was playing havoc with her doorbell, pushing it over and over again. Her head hurt and the cotton taste in her mouth wasn’t helping.
    She stumbled through the hallway, groggy and not fully awake.
    “Please stop,” she managed through gritted teeth when she pulled the door open.
    “Sophie, go get dressed,” Jack demanded, his tone nothing like she’d heard before.
    “I haven’t had coffee yet. My brother won’t care if I’m a little late. I’ll just work late to make up the time.”
    “Soph…you don’t understand. This isn’t a social call. We have a problem. Go take a shower and
    clear the fog while I make your coffee. You can drink it on the way.”
    Her heart sank. Fear of the uncertainty gripped hold. “Jack, what’s wrong?”
    He walked into her house and closed and locked the door behind him. “Go take your shower, Soph.
    I need you alert and awake when I tell you.”
    Sophie reluctantly walked into her room and hurried through her shower and getting dressed. Her
    nerves were strung tight, her head still throbbing. She emerged fifteen minutes later to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. She walked into the kitchen to find Jack enjoying a cup. He handed her a glass of water and some aspirin before handing her a piece of toast and travel mug of coffee to take with her.
    “Now tell me what’s wrong.”
    He grabbed her purse and carried it for her while ushering her to the SUV. He waited until he was
    sitting inside before he spoke. “There was another killing last night.”
    “Who?” Dread filled her body. Jack wouldn’t be acting this way unless it directly affected her.
    “Beatrice.”
    Her mouth parted, and she shook her head. “The woman from yesterday, the one in the white
    dress?”
    “Yep and we were some of the last people to see her alive. Your brother wants to ask you some
    questions.”
    She shook the disbelief from her head. “Wait….how did he know?” She turned in her seat. “You told
    him!”