Brenda Joyce - [Francesca Cahill 05] (48 page)

David was passed out in a chair at the terrace’s farthest end.

Damn him! Claire thought furiously, not knowing whether to cry or shout.

Jilly had halted a dozen feet from him, and she continued to bark wildly. Now the other dogs came barreling over to him, and they began to bark as well, causing pandemonium.
They were barking at David
.

Claire stiffened. Why were the dogs so upset? “David?” Claire hesitated as the barking escalated in urgency. David did not move, and granted, he’d had a lot to drink, but shouldn’t the noise awaken him now? She broke into a run.

Claire reached David and had a flashing premonition, but she grabbed him anyway and his head fell back—and that was when she saw the blood.

His throat was sliced open.
Bloody and sliced open
.

Blood covered his neck, his shirt, his chest.

He was lifeless
.

She screamed.

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