Read Double Black Diamond (Mercy Watts Mysteries) for Free Online

but Chuck insisted on taking the Jag. I was going on twenty-four hours without sleep and didn’t have the energy to object. So we were driving to Lambert with my skis in their padded bag jutting over the front seat between our faces. Chuck had been silent the entire drive and if I’d known that was all it took to keep him quiet, I’d have put skis between us before.  
    We passed a sign saying Airport 2 miles, and Chuck cleared his throat. “I can just keep driving.”  
    “Huh?” I looked out the window at the clear sky. No chance of a last-minute canceled flight today. Skiing with the parents was going to happen.  
    “I said I can just keep driving,” said Chuck.  
    “What are you talking about?”  
    “You don’t have to go.”  
    “Of course I do. I’m confirmed and everything.”
    “Screw Pete and his parents.”  
    I bent over and looked at Chuck from under the skis. His jaw was clenched and he didn’t give me a glance, sleazy or otherwise. “I thought you liked Pete.”  
    “I like him. Just not for you.”  
    I crossed my arms and rolled my eyes. “Oh and why is that?”
    “Haven’t you noticed? You’re dating your dad,” said Chuck.  
    “What? Are you crazy?”  
    “Am I exiting or not?”
    “Exit! Now!”
    Chuck eased onto the exit ramp. “You know I’m right.”
    “I know you’re certifiable. Pete is nothing like my dad.”  
    “Tall, skinny, extremely pale, works constantly. Sound familiar?”  
    “Pete is super nerdy. Dad is cool. Ask anyone. How about that?”  
    “Tommy Watts is the most charming fucker you’ll ever hope to meet, but he’s still a nerd, a crime nerd, but a nerd all the same.”  
    “Well…if they are alike then I’m damn well lucky. Pete is practically perfect in every way.”  
    “Yeah. He’s a real Mary Poppins.”  
    “Shut up.”  
    “Gladly.”  
    What in the world was happening? Were we fighting? I puzzled over it and discovered we were. How odd? Chuck and I never fought. He was sleazy. I insulted him. That’s how it went, but we never fought, not even when we were kids. He always let me have my way.  
    The traffic slowed to a crawl and I nearly stomped my foot in frustration. I so wanted out of that car. My phone chirped and it was Pete, my boyfriend and argument causer.  
    “Where are u?” he texted.
    “Coming,” I answered.
    “What lot? I’ll come to u.”
    “Dropping at Departures.”  
    Silence.  
    “Hello?” I texted.  
    “What car?” he sent back.  
    That was weird. Why should Pete care?
    “Jag.”
    “Don’t say anything about the Bleds,” texted Pete.
    “?”
    My last text went unanswered.  
    “What was that all about?” asked Chuck, his voice strained.  
    “Nothing.”  
    “Didn’t sound like nothing.”
    “I was texting. It sounded like typing,” I said.  
    We rounded another turn and switched into the Departures lane.  
    Chuck lifted up my skis and looked at me. “I can blow by. You know you don’t want to go.”  
    “I don’t, but I said I would and I’m going. Stop being weird.”
    “You like me weird.”  
    “I don’t like you at all,” I said.  
    “Now that’s not even close to true.” The sleaze was back and so strong I could practically smell it.  
    “Why don’t you go back to The Girls’ and pour your snake oil all over Philippa?”  
    “Philippa?” he asked.
    “She’s my one friend you haven’t dated and she thinks you’re hot.”  
    “Really? I guess she could occupy my time while I wait.”  
    “Wait for what?”  
    “You.”
    Ah crap. Poor Philippa. I’m such a jerk.
    “Never mind. Leave Philippa alone. Forget I said it.”  
    “Too late. Philippa it is. You go to Colorado and be hated by the latest mother and I will woo your friend’s panties off.”  
    I put my head in my hands. “Please don’t hurt her. She’s a good friend.”  
    “When have I ever hurt your friends? All satisfied customers to my knowledge,” he said.  
    That