Drake Sisters 04 - Dangerous Tides

Derrick," Jonas hissed between his teeth. "Whatever Hannah may have implied. I happen to be investigating what may have been an attempt on Libby's life, so back off." His eyes flashed sparks at Hannah.

    Hannah wrapped her arm around Libby, the laughter fading from her eyes. "What do you mean, Jonas?
    Do you think someone's trying to hurt Libby?"

    "I don't know, that's what I'm trying to find out. There are a couple of things that just aren't adding up for me."

    Sarah, eldest of the Drake sisters, pushed her way into the bathroom. "What are we doing in here, entertaining?" Behind her, Kate and Abigail hovered in the doorway trying to see around Tyson.

    Libby hid her face on Hannah's arm. "This is turning into a circus."

    "Is it always like this?" Ty asked, one black brow raised in inquiry.

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    "Pretty much, yes," Jonas answered.

    "Libby, what is that on your neck?" Sarah demanded.

    Kate and Abigail crowded into the room to examine Libby's exposed neck. Libby turned bright red and clapped a hand over the offending mark.

    "It's a brand new birthmark," Hannah explained.

    The three Drake sisters turned as one to look at Jonas. He held his hands up. "It wasn't me. Why do you always blame me for everything? I'm not about to be biting on Libby's neck."

    "It was Tyson Derrick." Hannah gave the name up without a qualm.

    Ty held up his hand as all eyes turned to him. "That would be me. I don't believe I've met everyone.
    Sarah and Kate, yes."

    "I'm Abigail."

    "Nice to meet you. Libby and I have a date tonight. She's late."

    "I wouldn't be late if everyone would stop coming into the bathroom. Get out. All of you. This dating business isn't as easy as it looks."

    "She's cranky," Hannah said to her sisters. "Let's let her get dressed. Jonas can tell us why he thinks someone tried to hurt Libby."

    "Good idea," Tyson said. "If there was an attempt on her life, I'd like to know about it."

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    "Libby!" Sarah said. "Why wouldn't you tell me?"

    "I'm getting a headache," Libby wailed, pressing the heel of her hand against her forehead. "And if I don't dry my hair it's going to frizz."

    "Libby," Sarah insisted.

    "Jonas doesn't know for certain. The cliff sort of crumbled and it just happened."

    "I've seen you with your hair frizzy," Ty said. "It wasn't that bad. More like frothy fuzz than if you stuck your finger in a light socket. Just throw on some clothes so we can go. And I was with Libby when the cliff crumbled. Erosion, pure and simple."

    "When did my hair look like frothy fuzz?" Libby demanded.

    Hannah signaled frantically, but Ty frowned at the ceiling, missing her gestures completely. "Several times. The most memorable was when you arrived ten minutes late to Dr. Chang's class and slammed the door, interrupting his lecture. He would have thrown anyone else out, but not the royal princess, Libby Drake. Your hair was wild and you were wearing jeans with a frayed hem and a hole in the right back pocket. Your shirt was two sizes too big and you had it knotted around your waist."

    Libby pointed to the door. "Get out. Get out right now."

    "I'm rather impressed he remembered every detail of what you were wearing when it was several years ago," Sarah said.

    "You get out, too," Libby said. "My hair is not wild." She glared at everyone until they filed out. As soon as the door closed, she pulled the towel from her hair and stared at her image in the mirror. Her hair was wild, but it wasn't her fault. She needed to tame it the moment she was out of the shower. And she still had those jeans. They were her all-time favorite. She'd even thought about wearing them to dinner, but now she'd have to find something else. The water had washed away the dirt, but she still had a raccoon Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    mask from her sunglasses and her nose was bright red. Libby sighed and gave up. There was no miraculously saving the evening. Ty had already seen her as she really was.

Chapter Six

    "THE Chinese ideogram for trouble symbolizes two women living under one roof. What do you suppose the ideogram for seven women under one roof is?" Tyson asked as he broke off a piece of freshly baked bread.

    "Joy," Libby answered immediately. "I like this place. I come here sometimes with my sisters. The food is excellent." She tried