The Prey Bites Back: A Jesse Watson Mystery Book #8 Read Online Free

well,
let’s just say, if we add another room, we’ll probably have to get a hotel
license. Families grow, and we needed more space. My favorite room is the den
at the back of the house. That’s the place we all gather at the end of the day.
The sixty-some inch widescreen TV is a real plus. I love to watch television.
It relaxes me, and I really needed to relax now. I picked up the remote, turned
on the TV, and then called my mother on my cell. I stretched out in a lounger
and waited. I was happy when my drink arrived.
    “Hello,” Mom
said after the first ring. “I’m so glad you called. How’s Billy doing?”
    “He’s asleep.”
    She started
talking and didn’t let up. I just sat and listened half-heartedly, until she
said something that really got my attention. “Mae Bridges’ husband was a rich
investment banker until six months ago when he was shot down on Main Street in Charlottesville .
The police have no leads, no eyewitnesses, so the case has pretty much gone
cold.”
    “Call Mae and
tell her to meet us at the office in the morning at eight. I want to talk to
her.”
    “Let me call
her right now and make sure that’s a good time for her. I’ll call you right
back.” Mom hung up on me without another word. Five minutes later, she called
back. “We’re on. Mae said she’d be there promptly at eight, so I’ll see you in
the morning.”
    I tossed the
cell phone on the coffee table and took a long drink of my tea, but one gulp
was about all I could handle. It was awfully strong and my stomach dared me to
put more of that stuff in it. I got up, walked to the kitchen, and dumped the
rest of the tea down the drain. “I’m going to bed,” I told Helene. “If you’re
up early, will you make sure to wake me? I have to meet my mother in the office
at eight.”
    “What about
Billy?”
    “If he’s not
awake, let him sleep in. He’ll probably need to.”
    I went to check
on the kids, gave them both a kiss, and then tiptoed into our bedroom in the
dark so I wouldn’t wake Billy. Once I stripped out of my clothes, I started feeling
amorous. I longed for him to take me in his arms and make passionate love to me
for hours. On the other hand, he would probably smell like a brewery. I thought
about it for a split second and decided I didn’t care how he smelled. I wanted
him. But he was in a deep sleep and didn’t budge when I slipped under the
covers… naked and hot, forgetting about everything else. So what if he didn’t
brush his teeth before he collapsed in bed? I could handle it. I scooted up
close and slowly caressed his body, hoping he would respond to my touch. Weeks
with your family in a Winnebago doesn’t allow for much lovemaking, so I was
ready for a wild, head-banging night of hard core sex with the man I loved… but
that wasn’t going to happen. Sleep was all I was going to get.
    Monday morning
I awoke to the sound of thunder. I looked over at Billy, who was still sound
asleep, and checked to make sure he was breathing. I wanted to take a shower,
but when I saw a flash of lightning, I gave up on that idea.
    “What a way to
start the day,” I said to Helene as I walked into the kitchen. “Coffee. I need
coffee.” I went to the counter and poured a cup while Athena shadowed me. “What
is it, girl?” I bent down to pat her head.
    “You know she’s
scared to death of thunder and lightning. I think we should get her some
tranquilizers. I’m sure Adam would give us some. Want me to call his office?”
    “No, he’s got
his hands full now, but maybe you could get in touch with him later. He’s a
vet. He’ll advise us on what to do.”
    “Drugs… that’s
the answer. I’ve talked to him before about Athena and her fear of storms. He
offered to give us something then, but I said I’d have to talk to you first.
Then, I forgot. Why don’t you stop by his office after your meeting? I’m sure
they will give you something. We don’t want Athena to have a nervous breakdown.”
    I