Read Claw Back (Louis Kincaid) for Free Online Page A

hell are you?”
    It was Mel. He had met the ex-Miami detective on a case here on Captiva Island years ago and they had forged one of those old-marriage bonds that withstood the benign neglect that colored most male friendships.
    “Look, we need to get together,” Mel went on. “Yuba and I are going over to the Roadhouse Saturday night to see Lou Colombo. We want you to come with us and don’t give me that shit that you have plans because I know you never do. Call me.”
    Louis took a long draw from the Heineken. He hadn’t seen Mel since that case they worked together over in Palm Beach last Christmas . Yuba was a lovely East Indian bartender who had followed Mel back to Fort Myers. Mel never admitted it, but Louis knew they were in love.
    Shit, that Palm Beach case had been seven months ago. Where had the time gone?
    The next voice was a male and at first Louis didn’t recognize it.
    “Hey, Louis, are you there? Pick up, dude! I guess you’re not home. But you’re never home.”
    It wa s Ben, the boy whom Louis had befriended years ago after rescuing him from a kidnapping. He didn’t recognize him because the last time they had talked Ben’s voice had been an octave higher.              
    “You aren’t going to believe this, but she’s finally doing it,” Ben said. “Mom and Steve are getting married.”
    Louis leaned closer to the phone.
    “Anyway, it’s nothing fancy. You know Mom, she’s not even going to change her name.”
    Well, what woman named Susan Outlaw would? Especially since she was a public defender. The fact that Steve’s last name was Fuchs might have figured into her decision. Despite that, Louis had to admit Steve was a good man. And he’d make a good stepfather for Ben. Still, it stung a little to know that Ben just didn’t seem to need him as much as he used to.
    The next message on the machine began with a gruff cough.
    “Yeah, this is Ned Willis, and this call is for Louis Kincaid, the private investigator.”
    Willis...the district attorney on the fraud case he had just finished down in Bonita Springs.
    “You were set to testify next week but the trial has been postponed,” Willis said. “We’ve rescheduled for September 3 but we definitely still need you to be here. My office will follow up with a letter. Thanks.”
    The next voice was female, flat and all too familiar.
    “You have no more messages.”
    Louis stared at the machine for a moment then reset it to record. He got a fresh Heineken from the refrigerator, picked up the stack of mail and went out onto the screened-in porch.
    Issy was curled on the lounge chair and he set her g ently aside before he sat down. He took a long draw from the Heineken as he sorted through the mail. The stack was fat with supermarket flyers, bills, a Lillian Vernon catalog –- how the hell had he gotten on that mailing list? – bank and credit card statements, and two copies of “Police” magazine.
    He set the bills in one pile, gave the “Police” cover a quick glance and tossed the Lillian Vernon catalog to the floor. Something bright fluttered out.
    A postcard. A postcard showing a horse and buggy.
    Oh shit...
    He retrieved the card but he didn’t need to look at the back. He knew who it was from. With a sigh, he turned it over.
     
    Hi Louis,
    I found this card at the farmer’s market. It’s Mackinac Island! Isn’t it funny that I found it here and it’s the exact same place where we’re going to go for my birthday? You don’t have to give me a present. You can take me on a buggy ride instead. I can’t wait to see you! – Lily
     
     
    Louis looked out over the gulf. The sun was starting to set , leaving a pink smudge in the heat-hazed yellow sky.
    Lily’s birthday was September 2 and he had promised her he would come up to Michigan and take her to Mackinac Island. But now the damn fraud trial had been postponed and he had to be here instead.
    Shit. S hit , shit ...shit!
    He felt eyes on him and looked down