Page 39 of Destined Chaos
I cooked breakfast while she told me what she remembered about the place. How she’d seen her fair share of ghosts in the house and how they’d scared her silly as a girl. She said she remembered lots of yelling and how unhappy her mother was, even if Libby didn’t understand why. The house and everything around it was just as much of a mystery to her as it was to me. Bones or not, this house had a heartbeat, and for a split second, I wondered if Dinky might be right. There was no way for me to protect her from things I couldn’t see.
Before we’d even finished the breakfast dishes, there was a knock on the door.
“It’s grand central around here.”
“Dead bodies will do that,” Libby teased.
I opened the door to find Clark and the forensic team waiting patiently behind him.
“Come on in.” I pulled the door open farther, letting them inside.
The forensic group went straight to the basement, knowing the way.
“I heard you took my mom’s advice and set up shop.”
I grinned. “It’s easier that way.”
Clark dropped his gaze to my bare feet. “I’m sure that’s the only reason.”
“I like her. So, sue me.”
“Uh-huh. And how is that going to work when she leaves? You know it’s either one or the other. You keep her and she stays, or she sells and she leaves.”
“We haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“Might be something you want to mull over before you make any more decisions you can’t undo.”
Clark nodded toward the kitchen, and I turned to find Libby leaning against the wall. She smiled.
“That’s some good advice, Sheriff, but I think we’re both adults.”
“She’s got a good point, Clark.” I shut the door behind him and headed for the kitchen, only stopping to kiss her lips once again.
She tasted of sweetness and sass, and I couldn’t get enough.
“So is this official business, or did you just come up here because you’re worried we’re getting frisky?”
Clark grinned and walked into the kitchen. “Actually, I’m here for your DNA and to tell you what we’ve found so far.”
I shared a look with Libby. Apprehension clouded her eyes before she blinked and returned the mask to her face.
One of the forensic members walked in and took a cheek swab before leaving.
“What did you find?”
“The toddler had a crushed windpipe. The ME believes she was choked to death.”
“For the love of all that’s holy,” Libby whispered beneath her breath before meeting Clark’s gaze. “And you’re sure she’s related?”
“That’s why I’m here for the DNA sample.”
“And the book? Did you bring a copy of the book?” I asked.
“There were pages that we're sticking together, so forensics is still dissecting it and trying to keep it intact. I’m sure, in time, it will tell us more.”
I wrapped my arms around Libby, giving her the support she was probably unused to. She relaxed into my embrace, surprising me.
“Whatever it is, we’ll deal with it.”
