Read Shallow Veins (The Obscured Book 1) for Free Online

troubles. I'm betting he walked out on her. He did me a favor, too, because now your buddy Officer Banks can pick up the pieces of that broken-hearted piece-of-ass.”
    “Is that why they call you The Vulture,” another officer prods.
    “They call me that because I’ll peck your eyes out, smart-ass.” He knocks the man’s hunting magazine out of his hands.
    Officer Butcher enters, already wearing his jacket and holster. He slides on his hat and says, “Are we talking or are we driving?”
    Banks gets a good look at Butcher. The younger man looks a hundred years old this morning; deep lines of purple in the skin under his eyes, his hair matted and his armpits ringed with sweat-stains.
    Banks gives him a smug nod. “Why don't you sit this one out?”
    “I just have a bit of a cold, I’ll be alright.”
    Banks slips on his jacket. “In that case I don’t want to catch whatever it is you got.” He heads for the door but Butcher stands in his way.
    “It’s not contagious.”
    “You know how it is with these things. Better not to take chances.”
    Butcher knows exactly what Banks means. “You heard Monton, we're short-staffed. Everyone helps in their own way.”
    “Not everyone.“ He stares at Butcher until the younger man steps aside to let him pass. Butcher waits until Banks is out the door before he removes his hat.
    Monton looks away, avoiding his eyes.
     
     
    **
     
     
    On the front lawn again, Kevin looks around at the bright, beautiful trees swaying in the soft wind. It seems ludicrous now- the world, going on as it always has.
    "I called the police."
    His hand has a tiny splinter in the palm. A sliver of wood from the shovel; just the tiniest foreign object where it doesn't belong.
    "Hey, did you hear me?" Mary's hand on his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
    "That's good. The police should come. Double-check."
    "I was worried about you. You didn't find anything, did you?"
    "He was in the basement." The words feel wrong in his mouth, like chewing on raw steak, sinewy and cold on the tongue.
    "You okay, pal?" Mary kneels next to Felix and rubs his face. "You scared us." She holds Felix’s side. “Kevin, he’s trembling.” Kevin still stares at the splinter in his hand, rubbing at it with the other thumb. He doesn’t answer, doesn’t hear when she asks what happened in the house.
    Behind them three police cars speed up the driveway. It’s a relief, until Mary recognizes one as Officer Banks.
    All three cars skid to a stop. Two officers emerge and bear down on Kevin and Mary with command presence. “Are you the owners?”
    “That’s them,” Officer Banks says from behind before she can respond. On his face is a smug grin.“Is the intruder still inside the house,” he asks, but the way he says “intruder” you can hear the air quotes.
    Mary looks at Kevin for the answer. She calls his name. He looks up from his hand. Says he’s not sure.
    “Did you see him exit the house?”
    “Yes. No. I don’t think so.”
    Mary grabs his arm, trying to help her floundering husband. “He doesn’t know what he saw, he believes there was a man in the spare bedroom window as he came back from-”
    “No.” Kevin pushes her hand off. “That part I’m sure of. That part I know.” His tone is hostile, aggressive, which he realizes when he sees the hurt expression on Mary’s face. He never speaks to her this way, never touches her in anger, and she’s embarrassed to have strangers witness them interact this way let alone policemen. He tries to explain himself but only a strained sound comes from his open mouth.
    “It’s alright,” one of the officers says, “we’ll check the house, you two stay right here.” Before they leave, Kevin catches the man throw a knowing nod to Banks, who nods in return.
    They think I’m crazy, he thinks to himself. They might be right.
     
     
    **
     
     
    After the officers have cleared the house, one circling the perimeter while the other two go inside and check it top to