Killer Tide

By Cassandra Linn

If you grew up in Marshall Inlet North Carolina, you either lived there your whole life or you couldn't wait to leave after High School. Divinity West fell into the latter group until the terror of an attack sends her running back home where she felt safe. That is until the wife of her old boyfriend is found dead. Vowing to help solve the murder, and clear Ryan's name, Vinny finds herself tangled in the middle of lies and deceptions that could very well lead her to be the next murder victim.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cassandra Linn
• Release date: Oct 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311526717

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Killer Tide

Copyright © 2015 by Cassandra Linn

All rights are reserved. Except for the use in review, The reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to the actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Books by Cassandra Linn:

Killer Tide (The Tide Series, #1)

This book is dedicated to the best two sisters a girl could have. You push me when I need pushing, guard me when I need protection, and make me laugh all the time. Love you both.

Killer Tide

Cassandra Linn

Chapter 1

Divinity West slowed down and took the view in as she crossed a bridge giving her the full experience of the marshland. The tide was high, and the water was slick as glass. In the distance, the shrimp boats were making their way out one after the other. She smiled at the seagulls hovering over them, hoping for some scraps for breakfast. Closer to the shore, a snowy egret waded in a small pool. She rolled her windows down so she could inhale the salt air in hopes that it would rejuvenate her. Sleep had evaded her in the last few weeks, if she did fall asleep the night terrors would jar her awake again. A dark, evil feeling had taken over the life she once knew. The pain of that swelled in her chest as anxiety threatened to take her breath again. Shaking the thoughts from her head and concentrating on the road again. She whispered to herself, just breathe Vinny, no one knows where you are, and you’re safe.

In just a few more hours, she would be home. With that thought, she began to feel excited to see Granny and possibly Gracelyn again. Would Gracelyn even want to see her? She wondered to herself.

Honestly, I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t; she thought to herself.

Gracelynn Winfrow was Vinny’s only girlfriend all through school. They met in the cafeteria when Vinny asked her to keep an eye on her tray while she went back to get the fork she forgot. When Vinny returned, her tray had been moved to the opposite end of the table. As Vinny questioned Gracelyn with her eyes, Gracelyn began to smile,

I just looked away for a second, and it ran, she shrugged.

Vinny knew at that moment that Gracelyn would become an important part of her life, and she was right. Unfortunately, Vinny was the one that broke off all communication with Gracelyn after moving to Richmond. She stopped returning emails and phone calls and a few months later so did Gracelyn.

Gracelyn’s father had been the mayor of Marshall Inlet for as long as Vinny could remember. As she approached the unfamiliar sign that looked like it was built out of driftwood with a Williamsburg blue frame. The large white lettering cheerfully welcomed her to the Crystal Coast. She was pretty sure Mr. Winfrow was responsible for it. She stopped her car at the next Handy House to freshen up before she got to Granny’s. Stepping over to the side to allow a man leaving the store a clear path, she was surprised when he stopped and held the door for her to walk into the store. She had forgotten about the small town courtesy, living in Richmond where everyone is just trying to get to their next appointment on time. Feeling revived, she hopped back into her car to finish her journey.

The lunch time traffic was heavy; she didn’t remember that being a problem before, but she also didn’t remember this many restaurants in Marshall Inlet either. She finally made it to Front Street. On one side of the street, quaint gift shops lined the sidewalk. On the other, unique establishments were strategically placed to draw tourist to this part of town. Further down the other side of the street was the boardwalk that enabled you to stroll the waterfront without getting your feet wet or sand in your shoes. She was happy to see Ms. Wanda Kay’s bar was still open. The back of the bar opens up to a huge deck where you can sit in the sun or shade during the day, and watch the sun go down over the inlet in the evening. Once she got past the business district, she entered the historic district with the renovated buildings from the past, including the courthouse and medical center. Finally, she was in the housing section of Front Street. Granny’s house was part of the historic district since it was one of the original homes built in the late 1800’s. It was a two story white colonial with a widow's walk on the roof. It sat directly across from the water that gives it one of the most spectacular views. The house had been in Granny’s family forever with each new family member adding their personal touches along the way.

She pulled into the driveway behind Granny’s van. Granny was a widow at a very young age, like most wives of fisherman she did not have a career. She kept the home going for her husband to return to after long fishing trips. Unfortunately at that time Vinny’s parents had decided she would be better taken care of if they just left her with Granny to pursue their music careers. That left Granny faced with the responsibility of raising Vinny, so she did the only thing she knew how to do, she cleaned for a living. She would leave the house after breakfast and return home in the afternoon when all her appointments for the day were done. When Vinny moved to Richmond, Granny gave up the cleaning business, which made Vinny very happy. She disliked watching Granny work so hard at her age.

Vinny took a deep breath as she got out of her car and walked up the front porch steps. The door was unlocked as usual so she walked into the entry way.

Granny?

Divinity

She called as she came out of the kitchen and wrapped her arms around her.

Vinny was shocked by the unexpected tears that filled her eyes. Not being one of those people that cry at the drop of a hat, she concluded that she must have been very tired, but it sure felt good to have Granny’s arms wrapped around her.

Honey come into the kitchen I’ll fix you some coffee. You must be exhausted after that long drive.

When she held Vinny at arm’s length and looked her over, she thought she saw a hint of sadness in her eyes. The one person she could never fool was Granny. She knew something was terribly wrong with her, as hard as she tried to conceal it from her. Fooling Granny was going to be harder