Free If Looks Could Kill by Heather Graham Page B

angry.
    â€œMadison, damn it, I told you to come out, not scare us all to death by disappearing that way. Jesus Christ! Your daughter is in tears up there! What the hell is the matter—”
    â€œArm!” she managed to croak.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œKyle, there’s an arm in the water. A human arm. A woman’s arm. Elbow to hand. The fingertips are gone.”
    â€œMadison, maybe it was an eel. Things beneath the water are distorted—”
    â€œDamn it, Kyle, do you think I’m an idiot, or that I’m so nearsighted I can’t tell the difference between an arm and a fish? There’s an arm down there!”
    â€œAll right, Madison. Get out, throw me a mask and snorkel. And get me some diving gloves and a few of those large freezer bags from the galley.”
    She nodded, still so unnerved that it seemed to make sense just to obey him.
    She climbed up the ladder at the aft of the Ibis. Jassy was there, her pallor showing that she knew something was very wrong. But Carrie Anne was standing by Jassy, and Madison had to be careful.
    â€œCarrie Anne, go into the cabin and get one of Grandpa’s masks and snorkels, and a pair of gloves, will you, sweetheart? And hurry for me.”
    Carrie Anne was a child, but not a fool. She stared at her mother and nodded grimly, then ran off to do as she had been told.
    â€œWhat is it?” Jassy asked.
    â€œThere’s an arm down there.”
    â€œWhat?”
    Madison sighed with exasperation. “There’s an arm down there!”
    â€œHuman?”
    â€œYes, human, what the hell do you think I mean?”
    â€œI’m going down—”
    â€œYou don’t need to. The FBI is on the case.”
    â€œYes, but he’s the FBI. I’m a pathologist, for God’s sake!”
    â€œHe’ll bring it to you.”
    That wasn’t good enough for Jassy. Carrie Anne retrieved the mask, snorkel and gloves, and Madison tossed them on down to Kyle, who disappeared.
    A moment later, Jassy dived over the side of the boat.
    â€œWhat’s going on, Mommy?” Carrie Anne asked.
    She hesitated. “Somebody had an accident. We’re going to have to go back to shore, honey.”
    Carrie Anne slipped her arms around Madison’s waist as they stared at the water. “I’m sorry, Mommy.”
    She glanced at her daughter, surprised. “Hey, sweetie, I’m the one who’s sorry.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” Carrie Anne said, and hugged her tighter.
    Watching the surface of the water, Madison wondered uneasily if the man in her sister’s life could be Kyle. They’d both looked so comfortable that morning, sitting at the table with her father.
    Kyle had just arrived in south Florida, she reminded herself. But then, Jassy had said that her affair was just beginning. And most of their pseudofamily had visited Kyle through the years, including Jassy.
    Madison fought back a wave of sick jealousy, trying to tell herself again that Kyle was no longer a part of her life.
    Still…
    Jassy had talked about keeping things quiet. About having “reasons.” Madison felt a knot in her stomach.
    A few minutes later, the two broke the surface.
    â€œGot it!” Jassy called cheerfully. “Radio in, Madison. We’ve got to get the law out here.”
    Jassy. Cute as a button. Smart as they came. Perfect for Kyle? There wasn’t a squeamish bone in her body. Where Madison had nearly panicked at the sight of the severed arm, Jassy found the discovery intriguing.
    Madison radioed in, then took Carrie Anne with her to the galley to make coffee.
    A Coast Guard cutter arrived. Madison got her first chance to see Mr. FBI in action when a loudmouthed lieutenant started in on Jassy and Kyle for having picked up the arm. In a cool, polite tone, Kyle informed the man of who he was and why he was in Florida. Then he introduced Jassy and informed the man of her position. All very politely. But