Read Passion's Law for Free Online

footprints or other signs this madman may have left behind.”
    She was so grateful to see that her uncle was alive and unharmed, she could hardly speak. She gave a quick nod of her head, then raced toward the phone. After speaking with the police, she realized that she was trembling. Joining the others in the dining room she sank down onto a chair and waited for the tremors to pass.
    Â 
    Thad Law was out of his car and striding across the yard within minutes of the call. He was thankful that he’d been in the vicinity. Otherwise there was no telling how long it might have taken him.
    As he drew near the front door he saw a shadowy figure and drew his gun.
    â€œPolice. Hold it right there.” He saw the figurepause and dart a look toward him. At that same moment he took careful aim. “I wouldn’t move if I were you, unless you’d like this to be your last minute on earth.”
    The voice was low and deep and slightly out of breath. “What the hell is this about?”
    â€œI’ll ask the questions.” Thad could see the man clearly outlined in the spill of light from the glass panels on either side of the door. His shrewd cop’s mind was already memorizing every detail. A hair over six feet. Strong, rugged build. Jet black hair. Dressed casually enough, in charcoal slacks and sweater. To blend into the darkness? Thad wondered.
    He stepped closer and spun the man around, forcing his face to the door, while he searched for a weapon. Seeing that he wasn’t armed, Thad stepped back, allowing the man to turn.
    Thad’s tone was sharp. “Now tell me who you are and what you’re doing here.”
    The man looked startled by the questions before saying, “My name’s Jackson Colton. I’m here to see my uncle.”
    â€œYou got a beef with Joe Colton?”
    â€œA beef? Of course not. I’m Joe’s nephew, and I’m here for a visit.”
    â€œDid Joe know you were coming?”
    There was a slight hesitation before Jackson saidquietly, “No. I didn’t call and tell him I was coming. With Joe it isn’t necessary. His family is always welcome. Now I’d like to know what right you have to hold me at gunpoint and ask me these questions.”
    â€œI have every right. There were shots fired here.” Thad gave a sharp rap on the door and waited until it was opened by a trembling Inez. Shoving Jackson ahead of him, he headed toward Joe Colton’s office. As he stepped inside he heard the high-pitched wail of sirens signaling the arrival of the rest of the squad. When a uniform rushed into the room, Thad nodded his head toward Jackson Colton.
    â€œThis guy claims to be a relative. He was outside when I got here. See that he sits in that chair and doesn’t move until I’ve had a chance to interview everyone here.” He gave Jackson a look that spoke, more than any words, what would happen if he dared to argue.
    Then he was gone, his face as dark as a thunder-cloud.
    Â 
    Heather sat with Teddy and Joe, Jr., while uniformed men swarmed over the area, bagging everything that seemed the least bit suspicious. While one team went over every inch of the grounds directly surrounding the house, another team worked inside, checking doors, windows, locks. The master suitewas sealed off while a team sifted through every shard of broken glass.
    Inez had been ordered to stay until a statement could be taken from her. Joe and Meredith were closed in the great room with Thad Law and several detectives, answering questions.
    â€œHeather.” Joe, Jr., looked grave in the lamplight. “Why does somebody want to kill my dad?”
    â€œI don’t know, honey.” She wrapped her arm around the boy, offering him what comfort she could. “I wish I knew. I guess there will always be people in this world who want to hurt other people.”
    â€œWhy can’t the police arrest all the bad people?” Teddy’s blue