Page 18 of Shiver

Devra’s eyes widened as she stared at the pages.

“You were there. You saw the whole thing. Tell me who killed her.”

She stood, her chair falling behind her with a loud crash. “I wasn’t there.”

“Then what is this?”

“It’s just a scene from my book.”

“Bull. This is a reenactment of Michelle’s murder.”

Devra covered her face with her hands.

He gripped the table’s edge to stop himself from grabbing her shoulders and giving her a good shake. “You know too many details for someone who wasn’t there!”

She tried to back away from him but bumped into the wall behind her. “I wasn’t there. I swear.”

“Liar,” he roared.

She covered her ears and squeezed shut her eyes. “I’m not a liar. I didn’t kill her. I…I didn’t.”

He stepped closer, leaning down into her face. “I want the truth.”

She swayed before him, her eyes glazed and frightened, “I didn’t kill Tommy, Papa.” The color drained from her face and she collapsed into a heap to the floor.

Stunned, Riley dropped to his knees beside her. “Come on, lady. Wake up.” He gritted his teeth to restrain himself from pulling her into his arms to make sure she was okay.

Long lashes fluttered on pasty white cheeks. She opened luminous eyes full of hurt and vulnerability and pinned him to the wall. He felt a need to apologize, to help her in some way. Dammit, why wouldn’t she just tell him the truth?

“What happened?” she asked with a shaky voice.

“You fainted.”

She sat up, cradling her head in her hands. “I’m sorry. Really I am. I know you want answers, and I wish I had them for you. But I don’t.”

Tears filled her eyes, and damn if they didn’t work. He could feel the fury seeping right out of him. Apparently, he was in worse shape than he thought. He needed sleep. He needed food. He needed to go home, recoup and try to sort this mess out later.

“Listen—”

The sound of crashing glass reverberated through the room. Riley jumped to his feet as splintered shards scattered across the floor. Clumps of glass mixed with something red hit the sides of the sofa and oozed down the fabric. Devra let out a shrill scream, shattering Riley’s ragged nerves.

He turned back to her. “It’s okay.” He bent down and touched the wet squishy substance.Raspberries? “What the hell?” Pulverized red berries covered the hardwood floor at Devra’s feet. Riley looked at her, at once concerned by the blank stare and chalky color of her skin. “It’s only berries,” he said, trying to assure her. “Raspberries.”

She started to rock, emitting a strange moaning sound. Riley watched, a wave of hopelessness crashing over him. There was nothing fake about her pain. Obviously, something bad had happened to her.But what?

Something he didn’t want to deal with.

“I’m sure it was just a prank.” He dashed out the front door, expecting to find a couple of giggling boys hightailing it down the block, but the street was deserted. Back inside, Devra was still on the floor, holding herself and rocking back and forth. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

She looked up and met his eyes. Her face was red, wet, and swollen, but that didn’t bother him as much as the anguish he saw in her eyes. And the fear. Genuine grab-you-by-the-balls-and-squeeze kind of fear.

This was no game.

“Talk to me,” he pleaded, kneeling next to her.

For an eternal moment, she just stared at him unblinking and barely breathing. Then she gulped a breath and grabbed the front of his shirt with both hands.

“He’s back!”

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