Left to Lapse (An Adele Sharp Mystery—Book Seven) by Blake Pierce (book club suggestions txt) 📗

of the previous furyflashing in his eyes. He began to build up a head of steam as he spoke, thewords starting to come faster. “They killed him. All of them. The way theytreated him—like dirt. He was a conductor, you know. He ran the same line…”

“Theswitches,” Adele said. “Where you killed. That was your father’s route?”

“Dunno,”he said, with a sniff. But his eyes told the story.

“Itwas, wasn’t it? Your father was a conductor, then. What happened?”

“Firedhim—the company did. Some rich bastards complained. Said the ride was too bumpyor some shit. It’s a goddamn train; of course it’s bloody bumpy.”

“That’swhy he got fired?”

“Well…maybe some other things. Made up things. A couple of the women said he madethem uncomfortable—a damned lie, though! And another man said my father showedup drunk to the job. But that was only once! I swear it. Only once and theywent and fired him. Stripped away the only thing that mattered to him. Left himbroke, helpless, trying to raise me with nothing. All of the whiners, thecomplainers—all of them were rich assholes.”

“Theycost your father his job?”

Herounded fully on her now, his eyes blazing once more with hatred. “Cost himmore than that!” he spat. “He got mad—got dangerous. Never was like thatbefore. Not usually. Drank a ton. Gave me more than one scar.”

“Hebeat you?”

Thevalet snorted again.

“Thenwhat happened?”

Hegot in his truck,” said the valet, murmuring now, his eyes staring off as ifwatching something a million miles away. “Drove to the tracks, parked in themiddle. Late at night, raining. No chance for the conductor to see a thing.”

“Hekilled himself?”

Atthis, the young man laughed. “Actually, no.” There was no humor to the cacklingsound. Just an abandoned, empty husk of a noise. An echo of joy more than thething itself. “He died of a heart attack. That’s what the coroner said. Gotright up and terrified as the train came down. Heart attack took him right outbefore the train could. Car was crushed too. But the heart attack did him in.”

Adelenodded slowly. “So that’s why you killed them the way you did?”

“Inever said that.”

“No,I guess you didn’t… Well, I’m sorry.”

“Sorryenough to get me out of jail?”

“I’mnot the one putting you there. You might not believe me, but I don’t like tosee people in your position… not unless they’ve made their own choices. And youdid—three times. Almost a fourth.”

Thevalet glanced toward her neck and winced. He seemed almost sheepish for amoment and shrugged his bony shoulders. “Sorry about that.”

Adelepaused for a moment, studying him. “That anger… it doesn’t go away, you know…”

“That’snot true,” he returned.

Adeleblinked.

“Younever did get the bastard who did your mother, did you?”

Adelewent still, motionless, just watching.

“Nah,you didn’t. Otherwise you’d know. It feels like bliss. When you see the causeof everything breathing and gasping on the ground. And then breathing no more.Dead the way they did your dad—or I guess, your mother. It does make you feel better.Anyone who says otherwise is a damn liar.”

“Itdoes?” Adele said, hoarsely, swallowing back the dryness in her throat.

“Onehundred percent…” His eyes gleamed wickedly for a moment, his lips curved intoa small smile. But then he leaned back and shrugged. “Just… well… it doesn’tlast as long as you’d like. You just kinda… have to keep going, you know?”

“Iwas worried you’d say that.”

“Theone who killed your mother. You know who did it? Is he behind bars?”

“Notyet,” Adele said, still quiet. “Maybe never.”

“Never?”the valet asked, watching her curiously. “Never because you can’t find him? Ornever because when you do, he won’t make it to lock-up?”

Adelesat there, allowing the question to linger in the still space of the crampedcar for a moment. Then she reached out, patted the valet on the leg. “I’m sorryfor your loss.” And before he could say anything, she pushed open the door,slipped out into the parking lot, and slammed it shut behind her.

Shefelt a chill shiver shudder down her spine, even though the sun was out and theair was warm. The conversation from her two partners and the German policeofficer seemed to have finally wound down. Judging by the look of resignationon the German officer’s face, it seemed he’d finally conceded to be the one toshuttle the killer back to their precinct and finalize any paperwork.

Leoniturned, glancing around the parking lot for a moment, and then he spotted Adeleonce more and beamed.

“Well,”he said, approaching her—though still limping—and taking both her hands. Hisfingers were smooth against hers and he eased his weight off his injured foot.His hands were warm and tender to the touch; she met Leoni’s smiling gaze. Fora moment, the sheer kindness emanating from his eyes seemed to swallow her. Akindness so unfamiliar, she almost missed it. There were no demands in thoseeyes—no requirements. Simply an odd affection. She felt butterflies flutter inher stomach and could feel her cheeks heating up.

“Twofor two,” he said with a nod. “We make a good duo, yes?”

Adelehoped desperately she wasn’t blushing all of a sudden. She smiled quickly,nodding once and coughing delicately. Then she began to turn, leaving the chillemanating from the SUV behind her as she moved, leading the two men away from theGerman cruiser. “We do make a good team,” she said.

Leonireleased one of her hands but held the other, as if they were simply strollingthrough a park. “Ah,” he said, in a tired voice. “It will be nice to sleep inmy own bed again.”

Adeletried not to think too much about anyone sleeping in Leoni’s bed. “I understandthat,” she said. “You’re heading back to Italy?”

“Rightaway, I’m afraid. The job never sleeps.”

Shesmiled genuinely now, pushing aside her other emotions. “Neither does theagent, it seems.”

Leonilet out a delicious crow of laughter, which creased his features in laughlines. John stalked along behind both of them and his expression wasn’t quite aglower, but seemed close. Adele felt uncomfortable all at once, and releasedLeoni’s hand. She said, “Well—I certainly hope to see you again soon.”

“Ashared sentiment. Well, here’s my ride. Do you need a lift to the airport?”

“We’vegot our own,” John said before Adele could answer.

Leonishrugged, indicating the black limousine that had pulled up outside the trainstation. A man in a