In the Shadow of Vengeance Read Online Free Page A

and repositioned his body so it blocked Danny’s path. “I don’t get to choose the cases I’m assigned. I let you know I was going undercover. I couldn’t even call my own mother while on assignment. Now I’ve been back for months, and if you recall, I did contact you, but it was you who blew me off, not the other way around.”
    Danny tried again to edge around him. The kid was really pissing him off, but Noah’s temper wasn’t going to get him anywhere. “What did you buy off that guy? From the colors he wore and the tat on his arm, he runs with the—”
    “I don’t know the guy or who he runs with.” Danny’s fists clenched at his side and a deep blush swept across his cheeks. “He was just a guy, so drop it.”
    Like hell he would drop it. Noah wanted to punch the wall. What was going on in this kid’s life to make him so damn angry? He didn’t have to guess what was in the bag. Something made Danny desperate or angry enough to purchase a weapon off a local gang member. Noah’s badge gave him the right to search the bag after what he had seen, but that would destroy what little trust Danny had left in him. There was only one play left and it placed a nasty taste in Noah’s mouth.
    “You don’t want to show me what’s in the bag, fine. I know someone you will listen to,” he said and tugged on Danny’s arm. He strolled and half dragged the kid toward the entrance of the alley.
    “Let go of me,” he spouted, pulling at his elbow.
    Noah tightened his hold. “No.”
    “Am I under arrest?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Then what the fuck—”
    Noah stopped in his tracks and Danny slammed into his arm, then jerked back. “Watch your mouth, kid. I’m pissed off enough. Don’t push me.”
    “Where are we going?”
    “Show me what’s in the bag and we can part company right here.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Don’t act like you have no choice. I know what’s in the bag. You’re not keeping it, and you’re going to tell me the name of the guy in the alley.”
    “Like hell I am.”
    Noah headed down the sidewalk. Two doors from the flower shop, he stopped at a red brick townhouse. The bright red door held a wreath with orange ribbon, two white paper ghosts that fluttered in the breeze, and several small pumpkins. He slammed the brass knocker three times, hard. “Last chance, Danny. Give me the bag.”
    “I can’t believe you’re doing this.”
    “Desperate times and all that.”
    The door opened and a breath caught in Noah’s throat. He didn’t forget the impact Elizabeth Merlot had on him for an instant. It was the face that visited him in his dreams for the last three years. She, on the other hand, was clueless.
    Noah’s fingers twitched. The strand of wavy auburn hair that rested over her shoulder screamed out to be brushed away, and that full bottom lip had a magnetic pull. He shoved his hands into his jean pockets before he embarrassed himself.
    Her face brightened with a smile as her gaze settled on her son. Then she glanced at Noah. Her facial expression changed so quickly, it was as if she shoved a lemon half into her mouth.
    “Detective McNeil. What are you doing here?”
    “It’s Noah, remember? Nice to see you again, Elizabeth.” He could almost hear her teeth grinding.
    She arched an eyebrow. “Danny, where have you been? You were supposed to come home right after school. Erin waited for you. What happened?”
    “Nothing happened. I …”
    “Elizabeth, we need to have this discussion inside.”
    It must have been his tone because for the first time, she stepped aside and nodded for him to enter.
    The townhouse opened into a cool, narrow living room. An oak stairway to the left of the room led to the upstairs. Beyond the living space was a small dining area where Danny’s older sister, Erin, appeared to be doing homework. Like the owner, the room had a classic beauty about it, comfortable.
    Danny again tried to nudge past Noah. He grabbed a chunk of the boy’s sweatshirt and