Dark Whispers by Debra Webb Page A

engine and the squealing of tires had them both turning to see who had charged into the driveway.
    April .
    “I should have called her.” Natalie’s sister had a way of hearing the news before it was broadcast anywhere.
    April emerged from her Mercedes in a huff and stormed across the cobblestone. “What happened? Why didn’t you call me?”
    “I’m fine, April. Really.”
    April glared at Clint. “You don’t have my number, Mr. Hayes?”
    While Clint poured on the charm and added April to his contacts list, Natalie watched her sister. She pretended to be angry that no one had called her, but she was actually terrified. April’s slim body trembled and she hugged herself. Natalie bit back the emotions threatening. Her sister was so opposite from her. She’d bleached her dark hair blond when they were teenagers and she’d kept it that way. April had claimed it looked better with her blue eyes. They had the same blue eyes. Before she’d bleached her hair people had often asked if they were twins. Except Natalie had always been the frumpier one. A little heavier and a lot more conservative when it came to fashion. April had always needed to set herself apart.
    “Why don’t we go inside?” Clint asked when April continued her tirade despite his efforts to calm her.
    “Just tell me what it is you’re doing to help my sister,” April demanded.
    “April,” Natalie warned.
    “As soon as we have the forensic report back on the car we’ll know more.”
    April stared at him in disbelief. “Forensic? What does that mean?”
    Natalie reached for her sister but she held up a hand. “No,” April insisted, “I want to know what he’s talking about.”
    “I believe,” Clint said, drawing her attention back to him, “someone tampered with the air bag.”
    April swung her stunned glare to Natalie. “Is he serious?”
    “Yes.” There was no point trying to keep the truth from her sister. “Our current working theory is that the intruder and the accident are connected.”
    “There was no intruder!” April planted her hands on her hips. “You’re only hurting yourself going down this path, Natalie.” Her sister shook her head. “I’m calling David. He’ll know what to do.”
    Natalie felt taken aback. “Is that a threat of some sort?” It felt exactly like a threat.
    April appeared startled. “Of course it isn’t a threat. I’m... I’m just worried about you and I don’t trust him.” She arrowed a contemptuous look at Clint. “I know about you, Mr. Hayes. My sister may not be herself just now, but she’s no fool. She’ll see through you soon enough.”
    With that profound statement April strode away.
    Natalie turned to Clint. “What’s she talking about?”
    “We should go inside.”
    Numb, Natalie followed him.
    If her life felt upside down before, it was totally ripped apart now.
    * * *
    C LINT SAT ON the sofa and waited for Natalie to begin her interrogation. She’d insisted on making tea after he’d done his walk-through of the house. The proverbial wait for the water to boil had felt like forever. Eleven years. He’d put this business behind him more than a decade ago. He’d made up his mind he didn’t care and he’d walked away. He’d applied to the police academy and moved on. All those years as a detective had driven home the point that stuff happened and sometimes good people got the short end of the stick.
    Natalie returned her cup to its dainty little saucer. The delicate china with its pink rose pattern reminded him of her vulnerability. The cup would shatter if dropped despite its ability to withstand being fired at thousands of degrees. Natalie Drummond might be tough as nails but she had her breaking point and someone was pushing her further and further in that direction.
    “What did April mean when she said she knew about you?”
    There were some secrets a man couldn’t keep forever no matter how hard he tried. No matter how badly he didn’t want to look back. The