Passions of the Dead (A Detective Jackson Mystery/Thriller) by L.J. Sellers Page B

money.”
    “Had Carla seemed different or worried about anything?”
    “She was worried about being evicted.” Rita started to get teary eyed. Jackson gave her a minute.
    In the quiet, Lori made a moaning sound.
    “Lori?”
    She didn’t respond.
    Jackson gently picked up the girl’s hand and stroked the back, being careful of the IV line. “Lori, can you open your eyes?”
    She rolled her head as if to say no. Jackson couldn’t believe this girl was eighteen. Her blond eyelashes and pale skin with a sprinkling of freckles made her seem younger. “I need to ask you some questions. Just a few, then you can rest again.” Her eyes came open, made direct contact with him, then closed again. “Lori, I need to know who did this to you.”
    Her mouth tried to form a word.
    “Who did this to you, Lori?”
    A small “shhh” sound came from her lips.
    Jackson leaned closer. “Who did this? Say it again, please.”
    “Shane.”

Chapter 8
     
    Tuesday, June 2, 2:08 a.m.
    Jackson pulled into Kera’s driveway and cut his headlights and engine. The house was dark and he hoped everyone was sleeping. Except Kera. If she woke up when he climbed into bed it could turn out well. He was exhausted but he would find the energy for sex. For weeks after his surgery, he’d been in too much pain. With all the young people in the house, they’d had to be sneaky and look for opportunities to be alone. Their relationship was still in the honeymoon phase and he wanted her all time, but their families were always present. Sometimes he resented all of them—Katie, Danette, and little Micah—for their intrusion into his intimacy with Kera. The last few years of his marriage to Renee had been angry and mostly sexless, and he was tired of doing without.
    Jackson hurried though the big house, guided by the night light in the hall. In the kitchen, he made himself half a peanut butter and grape jelly sandwich and washed it down with a diet Dr. Pepper. It was Kera’s preferred soda and he’d come to like it too.
    As he stood at the sink, Kera slipped into the room and into his arms. He kissed her neck and breathed in the sweet melon scent of her body wash. Now he felt like he was home. “I’ve missed you.” She responded with her lips on his. Jackson loved Kera’s tall strong body, her long copper hair, and her exotic face with its prominent cheekbones. Most of all, he loved her full generous lips.
    The baby began to cry. Kera stiffened and pulled back.
    “Danette will take care of him.” Jackson drew her to him again, but Kera resisted.
    “Sometimes Danette’s slow to wake up.”
    “Micah will be fine. Let’s go to bed.”
    Neither moved. Danette was still struggling with post-partum depression and post-traumatic shock, and the prescriptions she took made her a heavy sleeper. Jackson tried to cut Danette a lot of slack. First her boyfriend had been killed in Iraq, then she’d been left pregnant and alone. While struggling with a newborn baby, Danette had been kidnapped and held captive for days. After her ordeal, Kera had taken her in and Danette was recovering, but slowly.
    The crying grew louder and Kera hurried away. Jackson sighed and went to bed.
    The alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. and Jackson bolted out of bed. His head pounded and his abdomen burned with pain as he rushed for the bathroom. After swallowing his prednisone, he slipped the pill bottle into his shoulder bag, deciding to keep the medication with him. In the shower, he alternated between hot and cool water, trying to clear his head after three hours sleep. By the time he dressed, strapped on his weapon, and hurried into the kitchen, Kera and Katie were already there.
    “What are you doing up so early?” he said, kissing his daughter’s forehead. Still in her pajamas, Katie had one hand on the open refrigerator door. Her dark curly hair was tangled from sleep and she seemed to be losing weight again. Kera, wearing workout clothes, made coffee and smiled at