Read Over the Edge for Free Online Page B

How badly I felt, the fall in the kitchen. The two phone calls. Everything the man said about Lyme—at least all I could remember. After a while my brain started to fuzz. I sensed I had lost some pieces, but for the life of me couldn't find them in my jumbled mind. And somewhere along the way I started to stutter. My flow of words would suddenly stop, the next one I sought just . . . gone. After a second or two the word would come, and I'd continue my story.
    By the time I was done, I felt even more exhausted. I rested my head against the chair's high back, hands limp on the cushioned arms.
    Brock pushed to his feet and paced toward the rear window, then back again. He turned around and leveled a hard look at Jud. "I want you to find this guy."
    Jud tapped the pen against his notebook. "We'll find him."
    "And I'll tell you right now—we've got a gun in the house. I've had it for years and never had to use it. But if someone breaks into my home while I'm here—" Brock shook his head. "I won't think twice about shooting."
    "I take it your gun is registered."
    Brock waved his hand in an impatient yes. "Jannie knows how to use it, too. I've made sure of that."
    I did? Brock had taught me how to shoot, but that was years ago.
    Jud made a note. If he was put off by Brock's harsh attitude, he didn't show it. He looked to me. "Where's your cell phone?"
    "In my purse."
    "I'll get it." Brock hurried from the room, leaving the door open. I could hear Lauren's anxious voice from the kitchen, asking what was taking so long. My heart panged. Kids' antennae were sensitive. They knew when something was wrong. Brock reassured Lauren all was fine.
    "I'm done with homework, Dad. Can I watch TV?"
    "Yeah." He sounded distracted.
    Brock returned, my BlackBerry in hand. He shut the office door and gave the cell to Jud. "Thanks." The detective regarded the phone. "You said no ID came through." He glanced at me.
    "It just said private caller."
    "Who's your service provider?"
    My thoughts blanked. I looked to Brock.
    "Verizon." He perched back in his seat.
    "And for your landline?"
    "AT&T."
    Jud laid my cell on the desk and wrote in his notebook.
    Brock frowned. "You think you can trace the caller's number without an ID?"
    "We can request records of incoming calls from both your landline phone company and your cell provider. Those records will show the number the calls originated from. Question is, will that number lead us to anyone? If the guy used a payphone or paid cash for one of those throwaway cell phones and used a false name to buy it . . ." Jud lifted a hand. "Won't lead us anywhere. That's what a lot of drug dealers are doing these days—using those throwaway phones. On the other hand, if any kind of cell phone was used—even one leading to a fake name—we can trace the call's ping off the nearest cell phone tower. That'll tell us what area the guy called from. The tower pings give us a cone-shaped area that's quite specific."
    I closed my eyes. I knew all that cell phone stuff. Had learned it from watching true-crime shows on TV.
    "We may also want to put a tap on both phone lines."
    At Jud's words, Brock hesitated. "I'm not too keen on having my phone tapped. But I want this guy caught. What he's doing is flat out blackmail. Attempting to change the findings of a major scientific study." Brock shook his head. "It's just . . . it's unbelievable. And who knows what he's done to Jannie."
    "He said he infected me with Lyme months ago." I opened my eyes, focusing on my lap.
    Brock made a sound in his throat. "He may have lied about when he came. Those nightmares you've been having only started a few days ago, right?"
    I nodded.
    "I was out of town then. If he put ticks on you that recently, you wouldn't be having any symptoms yet, much less this severe. I'm more afraid of other possibilities. I'm taking you to the emergency room tonight. We need to get a full workup started on you right away."
    I raised my head.