Drake Sisters 04 - Dangerous Tides

asking around about the Gambler's Anonymous meetings. It's not like they have anything like that around Sea Haven."

    "Don't worry about it, Sam. We'll take care of this. I'm going to talk to Ed myself."

    "I think you're becoming a violent man, Ty," Sam said, another grin slipping through. "You sound as mean as a snake."

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    "I'm beginning to feel violent. Ed should have taken the money. I'm getting tired of threats against Libby and you. If someone wants to come after me, fine, but they'd better leave my family out of it."

    Sam hunched into a chair in the kitchen. "Man, I think someone got in a couple of really good kicks.
    Maybe your girlfriend can work her supposed magic on me. I could use it. I think I'll just sit here and rest while you go get her."

    Tyson hesitated. Sam was rocking back and forth, his arms hugging his midsection. He was afraid Sam might have internal damage. "I'll just be a couple of minutes. Don't try to do anything."

    "I was thinking of dancing on the counter," Sam quipped and waved him off.

    Tyson hurried back outside. Libby had the car running and was pacing back and forth. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. "You scared me, especially when Harry came out. He was so angry, Ty.
    He really hates you."

    "Did he touch you?"

    Libby shook her head. "No, he just called you a lot of names. What happened down there?"

    Tyson swept his arm around her and guided her up the stairs to the front door.

    "Sam's hurt. Apparently he had a visit from Ed Martinelli's men. They beat the hell out of him and that coward Harry just let them do it. Did you call the sheriff?"

    "Yes, you were gone for what seemed forever. Should I tell them not to come?" She hurried through the living room. "How hurt is he? Should we call an ambulance?"

    He shook his head. "Bruises and one eye swelling shut, but they kicked him. You'll have to see if he has Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    internal injuries. I want to make out a complaint against Martinelli's men. I ought to have Harry arrested for breaking and entering. He brought a baseball bat with him and he was going to destroy my laboratory, but Martinelli's men did it for him."

    "Oh, no, Ty, not all your work." Libby entered the kitchen and went straight to Sam. He looked pale, sweaty and was breathing hard. "Maybe you should help him lie down on the couch in the living room, Tyson. I can examine him there. Sam, can you breathe all right?"

    He nodded. "There's a first aid kit in the lab, if you think you'll need it, Libby. It's in the second cupboard at the back of the lab."

    "I can get it," Tyson said.

    "I don't think I can walk into the living room," Sam protested. "You're going to have to help me."

    "Take him on in," Libby directed. "It should only take me a minute to get the kit. I'll need some towels and water, too."

    She didn't wait for Tyson to agree, but headed down the basement stairs. The lights were still on and she could see glass smashed on the floor and books and equipment on the floor. Careful not to disturb anything in case the sheriff wanted pictures for evidence, she kept to the outside edge of the room as she made her way to the bank of cupboards at the back of the laboratory. There were cabinets and cupboards completely along the back wall. She chose the right side to start looking.

    She couldn't believe someone would be so stupid as to destroy such important work. Why would Martinelli do something so damaging when he was in Pharmaceuticals? It made no sense to her. Even Harry made no sense. People could be so illogical at times. Did Martinelli really think by harming others and threatening her family she would want to help him? And why in the world didn't Harry just try to figure out what was wrong with the drug, or even ask Tyson what he thought the problem was?

    She flung open the double cupboard doors. She wasn't tall enough to see what was on the floor-to-ceiling shelves. Frustrated, she dragged a chair over.

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    "Libby? Did you find it?" Tyson called down to her from the top of the stairs. In the distance she could hear the phone ringing and a siren.

    She stepped up on the chair. "It's right here. Is Sam all right?"

    Tyson took two steps down, ducking his head for a better look at her. He frowned. "Get the hell off that