Season of Secrets Read Online Free Page B

his wife. Now he found himself wondering how healthy that had been.
    â€œYou might help me choose some things to keep for Court, then,” he said smoothly. Court was probably a safe way to approach her. She’d been crazy about him when he was small, and he’d certainly returned the favor. “I remember him running down the hall full tilt, shouting ‘Dinah, Dinah, Dinah.’”
    A smile that was probably involuntary curved her lips. “I remember him singing ‘Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dinah.’ You taught him that to tease me.”
    They were smiling at each other then, the image clear and bright between them. He leaned forward.
    â€œYou see, Dinah. We do have something in common.”
    Her eyes darkened. “If anything, too much.” She took a breath, as if steadying herself. “Court really wants to have Christmas here.”
    He nodded. He was playing dirty pool, getting at her through Court, but he’d do what he had to. Any excuse to keep her in the house might help her remember.
    â€œA Charleston Christmas with all the trimmings.” He grimaced. “Thanks to the Internet, he has a calendar of every event through to First Night. If I try to skip a thing, he’ll know it.”
    â€œBlame the tourist bureau for that.” Her smile flickered. “They wouldn’t want to miss a single visitor.”
    â€œAnyway—” He reached out, thinking to touch her hand, and then thought better of it. “Anyway, will you help me do Christmas, Dinah? For Court’s sake?”
    Aunt Kate had schooled her well. No one could tell from her expression the distaste she must feel, but somehow he knew it, bone deep.
    â€œFor Court’s sake,” she said. Then, cautioning, she added, “But we’ll have to work around my job.”
    â€œYou have a job?” He couldn’t help the surprise in his tone.
    â€œOf course I have a job.” Her voice contained as much of an edge as she probably ever let show. “Did you think I sat around all day eating bonbons?”
    â€œNo. Sorry.” He’d better not say that he’d assumed she’d been like Annabel, doing the round of society events and charity work until she married. “I am sorry. I guess I’m still thinking of you as a schoolgirl.”
    â€œI haven’t been that in a long time.” She seemed toaccept the excuse, but those deep violet eyes were surprisingly hard to read.
    â€œSorry,” he said again. “So, tell me what you do.”
    â€œI’m a forensic artist. I work for the Charleston Police Department primarily, but sometimes I’m called on by neighboring jurisdictions.”
    He couldn’t have been more surprised if she’d said she was a lion tamer, but he suspected it wasn’t a good idea to show that.
    â€œThat’s—”
    â€œSurprising? Appalling? Not a suitable job for a well brought up young lady?”
    Her tone surprised him into a grin. “That sounds like what Aunt Kate might say.”
    â€œAmong other things.” Her face relaxed. “She still has trouble with it. She doesn’t think I should be exposed to—” She stopped suddenly, her smile forgotten on her face.
    â€œTo violence,” he finished for her. “It’s too late for that, isn’t it?”
    â€œYes. Much too late.” It sounded like an epitaph.
    Â 
    If she let herself think about Marc’s intentions for too long, Dinah could feel panic rising inside her. She’d forced herself to hold the subject at bay but now, driving to police headquarters the next day, she took a cautious look.
    How could Marc possibly expect to learn anything new after ten years? Did he really think he could find the solution that had eluded the police?
    Obviously, he did. In a sense, she could understand his determination. He saw a possible harm to Court in the unanswered questions, and he’d do anything