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Read Chapter One of Broken Paradise…

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CHAPTER ONE

ROWAN

���Order up!���

The shout came from the kitchen and Rowan moved swiftly on her feet. She had already spilled coffee, sugar, and creamer on her apron when all she really needed was a steaming cup of them combined in her veins.

���I heard you the first time,��� she shouted to Lou as she pushed through the door to the kitchen. ���We���re swamped out there, and Aunt Stacey isn���t back from her doctor���s appointment. Can you cut me some slack?���

When the lunch crowd came, they came with a vengeance, and it was usually an all-hands-on-deck situation.

Lou looked down his sweat-beaded nose at her. ���Sorry, kid, I didn���t think you heard me.��� His tone was considerate, but his expression showed her he was just as tired and not impressed much either by the way his morning was going.

���I���m sorry I���m cranky,��� she said as a yawn escaped her mouth.

���It���s not late enough in the day for that.��� Lou looked away and shook his head. His rough exterior was only a shell of the kind heart he kept inside.

���I had a rough night.��� Her dreams were getting worse, but she didn���t want to alarm anyone by sharing. They would just call her crazy again. She grabbed the order for table six.

Lou took the towel from his shoulder and wiped his gray brows and beard. ���I worked a double. We all had a rough night.���

As she was going out, Mandy was on her way in, wide-eyed and frantic. ���You don���t want to go out there,��� she said, standing in Rowan���s way.

���Yeah, I do. This chicken-fried steak is getting cold.��� She tried to get by, but Mandy was against it.

���I���ll take it out.��� She tried to take the dishes, only for Rowan to resist.

���No, you won���t.��� She wasn���t sure what had come over the woman, but she didn���t want to give her any of her tips.

���Look, Mandy, unless there���s a grizzly bear or armed assailant out there, get the hell out of my way.���

���Fine. Take a look for yourself.��� She gave a shrug. ���You���ll wish you listened to me.���

���Thanks for the detailed warning,��� she mumbled as she pushed through the door, only to see what all the fuss was about. And then her eyes locked in on the only explanation.

Officer Tyler Harper sat across the room in a booth, all to himself. His hair was slicked back from wearing his cap, which he had taken off and put on the table.

Rowan felt her breath hitch but knew she had to do her job. She was already earning more than a few dirty looks from the crowded room, and not one of them would care about her ex-boyfriend drama.

She went across to the table where the chicken-fried steak belonged and placed it in front of Clark Peters, who looked like he had been working hard all morning with a prominent sweat stain down the front of his shirt.

���Thanks,��� he said, wasting no time digging in.

Temple Ridge was a small but active town, with many people passing through daily to work in the nearby plants and refineries, lumber mills, or in Clark���s case, the local highway department a town over, where he operated heavy equipment.

Come midday, everyone came to Dip���s Dig-in Diner, or as known to the locals, Dips, for a hearty, not so healthy lunch.

Everyone but her ex-high school sweetheart and former Temple Ridge quarterback turned police officer, Tyler Harper, who had not graced the diner with his presence for the past ten years.

She took a deep breath and focused. ���Can I get you anything else, Clark?���

The man smacked his lips and spoke with his mouth full. ���I���m good, honey. Maybe a coffee to go when I���m done?���

���You got it,��� she said, patting his shoulder. She took a deep breath and turned to Tyler. ���Officer.��� She gave a curt nod.

The fact that he greeted her with a shit-eating grin didn���t help his case any. ���Hey, Row,��� he said. ���I wasn���t sure I���d see you in here.���

Rowan looked around her and forced a smile that was steeped with so much acid it smelled like vinegar. ���Yeah, right. What do you want?���

���I just came in for something to eat,��� he said defensively.

She tried very hard to hold her temper. ���What do you want from the menu?��� she said with a tight jaw.

���Oh, yeah, um. Gosh, it���s been so long.���

���Well, I���ll give you a hint. The menu is the same as it was back then.���

���Well, that���s good to know.��� He glanced at her and quickly turned his eyes back to the menu. ���Um, I guess I���ll have what I used to get.���

Rowan let go of a sigh and rocked back on her feet. ���Which is? I know you don���t expect me to remember what you ate ten years ago.��� She could recite it in her sleep.

���Well, you���re just as sassy as ever,��� he said with a frown. ���At least some things haven���t changed.���

���And you���re wasting my time. I have orders piling up in the back. So, what will it be?���

���Jalapeno burger and fries.���

���Regular or curly?��� She took the order but wasn���t going to give him the satisfaction that she still knew it by heart. No mustard, extra cheese. Curly.

���Curly,��� he said as if she should remember all the times they shared them after school. ���And a������

���Root beer?��� She marked it down, frowning that she had given herself away.

���See? You do remember.��� He gave a big grin.

���I remember plenty. How���s the wife?���

His goofy grin faded. ���Divorced. But you knew that too.��� He looked her dead in the eye. ���How���s the mental health?���

Rowan turned and walked away. She didn���t have to stand there and listen to that. She went to the back to put in the order, trying not to scream.

Aunt Stacey came out of the back office about the time that Rowan walked over to the sink to wet a paper towel. When she placed it on her forehead to cool down, Stacey joined her.

���Are you feeling okay?��� she asked with a concerned tone.

���Yeah, what about you? What did the doctor say?���

Aunt Stacey gave her a reassuring look. ���Still cancer free. Nothing to worry about.��� She gave her a look. ���Something is wrong.���

Mandy breezed by with a plate of food in each hand. ���It���s Officer Harper. He���s out front.���

���Did something happen while I was gone?��� said Stacey, knowing that the policeman wouldn���t stop in unless someone was being arrested.

���He just came in to get a bite,��� said Rowan, waving her hand dismissively.

Mandy rushed by again, her sandy-blonde ponytail swinging behind her. ���I told you I���d do it. But no, you wouldn���t listen.���

���You can bring him his food,��� she said. ���I don���t want his tip.���

���Anymore,��� Mandy muttered with a grin.

Stacey moved in on Rowan and gave her a big hug, pinning her arms down at her sides. ���I���m so sorry, honey. I know it brings up bad memories. But you can���t let him get to you.���

���I���m fine. And he���s the last person who could get to me.���

���When was the last time you spoke with him?���

���After the first search for Jessica.���

Stacey gave her a sideward, pleading look. ���Are you going to ever forgive him, Rowan? It isn���t healthy carrying around all of that hate for another person.���

���I���m good. I don���t hate him. I just don���t have anything to say to him. And I just want this shift to be over.��� She was growing frustrated

She went to take the next order out and refilled a coffee on the way past the front counter. When she was all caught up, she did some transactions and made small talk with a few of the regulars, trying her best to keep her eyes away from his table.

Twenty minutes later, after ringing up another bill, she looked over to see that Tyler was taking his time with his lunch. Eating slow had never been a problem for him in the past. Whatever he was up to, she didn���t have time for it. Her life was complicated enough without him wanting a post-divorce one-night stand.

Rowan strolled over and looked down at him. ���You know, one thing I do remember is how you could finish that burger in three bites. And by the looks of it, your mouth didn���t get any smaller.���

���I bet there���s more you remember.��� He smiled at the well-earned dirty look she gave him but quickly decided to change his tune. ���Actually, it���s hard to eat with everyone wanting to make small talk and say hello.���

���Well, I won���t bother you. I wouldn���t want to slow you down.���

Rowan walked away and saw the crowd was finally thinning out and slowing down. The mad lunchtime rush was finally over, and she could breathe until the afternoon rush hit.

Susan Ford, the town���s librarian, was standing in the parking lot wearing a frayed sweater in the boiling heat. She came into the diner with a concerned look on her face.

���Rowan,��� she said, waving her over.

���What���s going on?��� she asked the woman, who had a habit of being a bit dramatic.

She gestured toward the parking lot. ���Do you know that little girl out there?���

She looked around the restaurant as if to see if there was someone the girl might belong to.

Rowan looked out into the lot. The little girl���s back faced Rowan. Her blonde hair was up in two pigtails, and something about her uncertain posture sparked her curiosity.

���I���m sure I don���t know her,��� she said. ���Are her parents around?���

���I don���t think so,��� said Susan. ���She looks lost, and she wouldn���t say a word to me.���

Rowan didn���t know what to make of the little girl being there alone but was sure there was a good explanation. ���I���ll go out and check on her. She may have wandered away from Ms. Opal���s.���

���You���re probably right.��� The woman checked her watch. ���I���d stay and help, but I���ve got to get my to-go order and get back to the library. But I would keep an eye on her.���

���Thanks,��� said Rowan, knowing she wasn���t going to leave the little one alone in the parking lot. She would at least have her come in and eat a slice of pie until they figured things out.

As Susan went to get her to-go order at the counter, Rowan walked out to say hello and to see if the little girl knew where her parents were.

As she approached, the little girl turned away, but Rowan called out to her. ���Hey there. I���m Rowan.���

The little girl kept her head down and her mouth shut. She wore a denim jumper dress, pink socks to match her shirt, and white tennis shoes. Her knees looked a bit scuffed, but otherwise, she didn���t seem like she was hurt.

���What���s your name?��� Rowan asked the little girl.

The girl looked up and met her eyes, which sent a bolt of blue straight to her heartstrings. The little girl reminded her so much of Jessica.

It was as if someone had taken a photograph from her childhood and made it come to life.

Rowan���s emotions stirred, and a shiver ran through her. She knelt down in front of the little girl. ���Are your mom and dad around here somewhere?���

No answer. Not one blink.

Rowan wasn���t sure if the little girl spoke the same language for all the recognition she gave. She was pale and a bit dirty too. And given that she was very thin, she was most likely hungry too. ���Do you want to go inside? I could give you a slice of pie. Any flavor you want.���

The little girl met her eyes again, this time with an anxious look, but her silence was unrelenting.

���It���s okay to talk to me. My aunt owns this place. I���ll give you anything you want for free. We even have pancakes with peaches or strawberries if you want. Or maybe a hamburger and fries?���

Susan walked out with her order. ���Did you find her mother?��� she asked.

���We���re working on it.��� Rowan looked at the little girl and saw that she had pursed her lips, causing her dimples to show. And that did it.

The resemblance was now so uncanny that she couldn���t ignore it.

Susan waved at the little girl, who didn���t wave back. ���Well, I guess I should get going,��� she said as if her feelings were hurt. ���Good luck.���

Rowan didn���t reply. She couldn���t get over how much the little girl looked like Jessica. Unfortunately, when it came to Jessica, Rowan couldn���t always trust her own judgment. She needed to double-check with someone else, to see if they saw the same resemblance.

She thought of Tyler, who was sitting just inside. She didn���t want to make small talk with him, but he had known Jessica as well as Rowan, well enough to possibly see the similarities.

���Don���t go anywhere.��� Rowan walked over to the door of the diner and stuck her head inside. ���Officer, your assistance is needed out front, please.���

Tyler, who seemed to be finished with his meal and waiting on a check, got up from his table and walked over. ���At your service.���

���There���s a little girl out here. I don���t know where she came from, but I think she may have walked down from Ms. Opal���s.���

Ms. Opal was a licensed child-care advocate who ran the Haven of Hope Children���s Home in Temple Ridge. It was located just down the street from the diner, and the little girl wouldn���t be the first kid who had wandered too far. Although Rowan had to admit, most of the children who made the trek in the past had been much older.

���I���ll handle it,��� he said, patting his stomach as if it were full. He gave her a wink and headed over.

Tyler came out to see the little girl with Rowan and gave her his big, puppy-dog grin that used to melt Rowan���s heart. ���Hey, there, little miss. What���s your name?���

The little girl turned her knees to the side and angled away from him.

Rowan nodded. ���Don���t worry, kid. He makes me feel the same way.���

���Hey,��� he said, giving her a dirty look. ���It���s okay. She doesn���t have to look at me if she doesn���t want to. But I do have to know who brought you here. Did you walk? Or did someone drop you off?���

The little girl glanced up at him and then turned her face away again.

Rowan couldn���t help herself. She had to ask. ���Does she look familiar to you?���

���No, why? Do you think you know her people?���

She knew if she brought up Jessica, he would only tease her again. ���No. I was just wondering.���

He hadn���t known Jessica for as long as she had, so the resemblance, at that age, probably wouldn���t stick out.

Tyler let go of a breath and turned to Rowan. ���Someone is bound to miss her soon enough,��� he said. ���I���ll take her down to the station and get her printed.���

The little girl���s eyes widened with fear, and Rowan wasn���t about to allow that. ���I don���t think so. You���re not taking her anywhere. You���re scaring her just mentioning it.���

���Rowan, this is police work.��� He tried to dismiss her, but she wasn���t going to stand for it. ���Someone is probably already up there looking for her.���

���Well, call them and find out. But I���m calling Ms. Opal,��� she said. ���At least she���s a professional.��� If anyone would see the resemblance to Jessica, it was the woman who raised her.

Read Chapter One of Lost in the Library

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CHAPTER ONE

Jack

On his way into the office, Jack met with a mob of reporters who had gathered outside the station. The woman reporter who once wore the bright red coat was now in a dark blue dress, while the other tall man he remembered looked much the same as before and was just as eager to stick a microphone in his face.

“Detective Isaac, is it true that your fiancée is the latest missing person?” The man had a wild look in his eye, like the answer to his question was a meaty bone and he was a dog ready to devour it.

While Jack kept on moving, they followed him up the steps toward the building with their cameramen hot on their heels. Jack wasn’t prepared for a speech but knew that some transparency would be for the best. He had to say something to get them to back down.

He turned to face the small mob and stared into the cameras. “It is true that Courtney Hue and I had a relationship in the past, but I don’t think that it’s related to my case, and there is no proof of that at this time. She is currently missing and was last seen at the Coldwater Hotel. If anyone has any information, I’d appreciate them coming forward with it by contacting the Calder County Sheriff’s Department.”

“Is it true that you think she could be the next victim of the Butterfly Butcher?” The man spoke the name as if it were well known.

Hearing the moniker, Jack realized that some of the information had leaked to the press, and though he wouldn’t deny it, he didn’t want to confirm anything either. “That’s still being investigated.”

He turned to go into the building, but the woman pushed forward with her cameraman, and Jack felt something hit his hip and pin him at the door. He hated being crowded, but they weren’t going to let up until they asked all of their questions or he made it inside and away from them.

The woman was just inches from Jack now. “So is it true then that butterflies play an important part in these murders? Can you tell us more about that, detective?”

“What information do you have about the killer?” asked the man. “Surely you have some new information by now. Isn’t there anything you can release to the public who have been fearfully waiting for answers?”

Jack could feel the sweat beading on his forehead but knew better than to wipe it away. He didn’t want to appear anxious. “I’m not at liberty to say more at this time. I’ll release an official statement when I know something new that I feel I can share. But please know that we’re doing all we can to find the person responsible and to find out what happened to Ms. Hue.”

“Is it true that she was in town to see you?”

Jack felt a sting in his chest. “Yes, she had come to Everly to see me and for other business-related reasons.”

With Courtney still missing, Jack knew he had to make every moment count. He had work to do, and the press was only holding him back.

“That’s all for now,” he said, turning away from them.

As he hurried into the building, he waved Officer Donohue over to help him get inside without the crowd, and Officer Corbin assisted in getting them to back off.

“Move away,” said Donohue with a stern tone. “You can’t come in here.”

Corbin was just as aggressive. “Back up. Back up.”

The two walked forward and took control, and Jack had to wonder why they hadn’t helped him until he asked. He was fairly sure someone in the department was telling the press information, and though he wouldn’t put it past Officer Donohue, he wasn’t positive about that either. And after the last accusations against the man fell flat, he wouldn’t bother questioning him about it.

Jack hurried to the back of the office and hit the main hallway. When he made it around the corner out of sight, he finally wiped the sweat from his brow.

“What is going on?” asked Sheriff Quinn, who opened his door when Jack passed by in a hurry. “What is that commotion?”

“I had a little run-in with the press,” he said. “Thanks for having my back.”

“Sorry, I was on a phone call, or I would have come out.” Quinn gave him an apologetic look, and Jack actually felt like the man had no idea.

He shrugged it off. “It’s fine. I had Officers Donohue and Corbin get rid of them. I can’t promise that they won’t be lurking around when I go to lunch later, but maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll have thought of something to say by then. I guess the butterfly evidence leaked.”

Sheriff Quinn nodded. “It happens. You’ll get used to it.”

“I’m not sure I will, but thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“What are you about to do?”

“I’m waiting on a call back from that detective in Rockford. I hope that he’ll give me more information on the murder case I asked about. He’s supposed to have worked the case.”

“Let me know how that turns out,” he said, walking across the hall with his coffee mug. Jack figured he was going to get a refill, but he didn’t stick around to wait and see.

While the old man was distracted, he hurried to his own office and shut the door behind him. Still sweating bullets, he took off his coat and put it on the back of his chair. Loosening his tie, he sat down and took a deep breath. “Get it together.”

Now that the stressful part of his morning was over, he had other matters to attend to, and waiting for someone to call him back wasn’t how he had hoped to spend the rest of his day.

With his patience worn out hours earlier and his mood shot from the reporters, Jack picked up the phone and called down to the Rockford PD in hopes that Officer Shaughnessy could give him some more insight into the case. Or at least light a fire under Detective Banks’s ass. The retiring detective still had not called Jack back even after he had left him several messages. And Jack really hated being ignored.

As the phone rang on the other end, he wondered if they had decided not to help or if the about-to-retire detective had lost the fire he must have had when he went into the line of work. It was a grueling job, especially when someone you cared about was on the line. But Jack wasn’t going to give up. Not knowing he was onto something.

After being transferred to the officer’s department, Shaughnessy got on the line. “Officer Shaughnessy speaking,” he said in a bored tone. It was just another morning for him, but Jack felt like it would be one of his last if he didn’t find Courtney soon.

“Ah, yeah, this is Detective Isaac calling you again from Calder County. I spoke with you yesterday about an old case out of your city that could be related to one I’m dealing with now.”

“Right, I remember you,” he said. “What can I help you with?”

“Well, I was hoping that you might have spoken with Detective Banks and could tell me how to better get in touch with him. I’ve left several messages at this point, and he hasn’t called back. I’m really in a time crunch here and hate to be a pain in the ass, but this is very important.”

The man let out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, I spoke to him late last night, as a matter of fact. And well, I told him about your situation.”

“What did he say?” Jack felt a sense of relief knowing they had spoken.

“He told me that he thinks you’re barking up the wrong tree, and he really doesn’t want to get involved with this one. As I told you, he’s days from retiring after a long, burdening career. He really doesn’t have time to help.”

Jack couldn’t believe both men’s carefree attitudes. How could they know how bad the situation was and not want to help? “I don’t expect to burden him with anything, but I have a serious situation here. And now it’s personal. I just need to speak with him for a few minutes, that’s all. If I’m barking up the wrong tree, he could at least tell me that himself. But I at least would like to hear it from him, no offense.” Jack felt disrespected and didn’t understand how a detective, even one who was about to retire, could just walk away and leave something unanswered. He certainly couldn’t.

“No offense taken. I get where you’re coming from. Some of these cases can be really grim and desperate.” The man cleared his throat. “Look, Detective Banks said if you called back, to tell you that he agrees that you shouldn’t do this case alone, but he’s not your guy, and his replacement doesn’t know shit about it. Call the FBI for help. They’ll give you more resources than you need and probably more help than you want.”

Jack knew that was true, but it didn’t help matters much. “That’s not an option,” he said, thinking about the commissioners. “Look, this is important. A matter of life or death. So, can’t you give me anything else? Any information on this guy or another way to get in touch with Detective Banks? I’ll settle for his case files, and I’ll handle it myself.”

“Look, I sympathize. I really do. But I don’t know what else to tell you. Keep calling him back. Maybe he’ll get sick of it and answer. Maybe he’ll block your number.”

“That’s why I need you to help me be creative. Give me something. Anything. I just need to make contact. Please.” Jack needed a different way to reach the man where he would not know exactly who was calling him.

“I’ll tell you what. I’ll give you a lead on him, but you didn’t get it from me.”

“No problem. Anything.” Jack was willing to keep his mouth shut about whatever as long as he got the information he needed.

“Banks goes to the Westwood Country Club at least three days a week. So, you should be able to catch him there. But I warn you. He’s really close to the other case. It’s a very touchy subject with him.”

“I get that.” Jack understood that some detectives saw specific cases as their babies. That when they were solved, they liked to think that the evil had been put to rest. So sure, it would be hard to think that someone you had a hand in putting away might be up to no good again, but the facts were too close, from what Jack could tell. The necklaces, the butterflies, it all had to mean something, and it was too much to be a coincidence.

Jack had one more question for the cop. “Did he say anything else about the killer? Did he give you anything?”

“No, just that you must be mistaken.”

“I don’t think I am,” said Jack. He raked his hand through his hair and wanted to scream. “I really don’t.”

“I know. That’s the only reason I helped. Call the country club. You’ll find him.”

“Thank you.” Jack let go of a breath, thankful that not everyone in Rockford was as hard-headed as Banks seemed to be.

“No problem.” The man ended the call, and Jack sat staring at the wall for a few seconds, letting it all sink in. How could the man just assume that Jack had the wrong guy and leave it at that?

He owed him answers, and Jack was determined to get them.

Read Chapter One of The Noises in My Walls…

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With the recent murder of Hannah Runkle on everyone’s mind, Jack could feel the mood in town was much different than when he first came to Everly. The once All-American hometown vibe was now tainted by the fear that hung in the air like a foul odor.

As everyone who passed by took notice of him, and not in a pleasant way, Jack wondered if having breakfast in the busiest diner in town was the best idea. But having Karlie across the table from him, with a bright smile, how could he want to be anywhere else?

“Are you okay?” she asked. “Or am I rambling again?”

“I’m sorry,” said Jack, realizing that he hadn’t heard the last words she had spoken. “I’m just a little preoccupied.”

“Yeah, I’m trying to distract you. I guess it’s not working. I’m not sure how to feel about that.”

“It’s not you. It’s the case. I’d say I’ll do better, but the way it’s heating up, I know better.”

“You’ve got a lot on your plate. I get it.”

“I hope so. I keep thinking you’re going to get sick of me being preoccupied and decide that being with a detective isn’t what you thought it would be.”

“I’m good. As long as your ex doesn’t show up unexpectedly again, I’ll be even better. I promise.”

“I haven’t heard from her. She’s supposed to be staying in Coldwell until she gets things in order.”

“That’s not far enough, but it’s better than her staying in Everly.” Karlie’s insecurities had him a bit worried too, but he could only add that to the long list behind a lot of other things. The case was priority number one. And with the psychology of the killer coming to the forefront, Jack knew he had to do all he could to understand it.

“I just think maybe we should have had breakfast at home.” He glanced over to see a man sitting across the room, giving him a cold stare. “It’s like they’re mad I’m here.”

“They’ll get over it. They need to see you doing normal things.” She turned around and smiled at the man. “Hello, Mr. Waldrop. How are the wife and kids?”

“Just fine,” he said, giving her a warm smile.

“Have you met Jack Isaac? He’s our new detective.”

Jack gave a warm smile but was sure his embarrassment was clear on his face. “It’s good to meet you, sir.”

“Good to meet you,” said the man. “When are things going to get back to normal around here?”

“I’m making progress.” Jack didn’t know what else to say, but it wasn’t a lie. He had made some progress, and he was sure that once he followed the butterfly trail, he would have his man.

Karlie angled in her chair. “We’re just having breakfast before Jack gets back to the office. He worked well into the night, and I just insisted that he stop, take a break from it all, and have a hot meal.” She reached across the table and took Jack’s hand. “You men, you just don’t know when to slow down.”

“Well, he’s got a heck of a woman to keep him in line,” said Mr. Waldrop, who gave a hearty chuckle. And just like that, the man’s mood was better. He went back to eating his pancakes and turned his attention to look out the window.

“I don’t know how you do it. Thank God they like you. Or I’d be in trouble.”

“They will love you. You just have to get to know them. Talk to them.”

Jack had too much on his mind to play at introductions just to spare the public’s feelings. He was still newly back in town and he hadn’t had a chance to prove himself at the job yet. Now the case of his life was staring him in the face.

He knew he could do it. But he was going to have to step on some toes if people didn’t start giving him the respect of not getting in his way.

“It’s going to be okay,” said Karlie. “I can tell you’re so in your head. You’ve barely touched your food.”

“I’ll take it to go and eat it in the office later. I should probably take you to your office and get to work. I’m not good company.”

“Yes, you are. I could look at you all day and never speak, and you’d still be good company. But I do have to get to work too.”

They got the rest of his food to go, and as Jack paid for the tab, his phone rang. “Detective Isaac,” he said, hoping it was someone calling about the car that he still hadn’t located.

Instead, Sheriff Quinn’s voice sounded on the other end. “Where are you?”

“I’m leaving the diner and I’m on my way in. I won’t be long. What’s going on?”

“The county officials are holding an emergency meeting. We want you to come.”

“When is it?”

“Right now,” said Quinn. “Get down here.”

“It would have been nice to have a warning.”

“I just found out about it myself. I think that’s the idea. They might want to catch you off guard.”

Jack let out a breath of frustration and glanced at Karlie. “I’m on my way.” He ended the call and deepened the look of concern on his face.

“Was it bad news?” she asked.

“I don’t know yet, but something tells me it’s not good. I have to get to a meeting. Come on. I’ll get you to work so I’m not too late. It seems they planned the party without me.”

“Who is they?”

“The mayor and county officials. I’m sure they want to drag me down some more and yell at me for their project being canceled.” He took his receipt and walked Karlie to the door.

“It’s not your fault the killer chose to use that spot,” she said as she walked outside into the sunlight.

“Tell them that. Anyway, I’m sure it’s just more of the same. They don’t want me to do my job without their say. They hired me, so they act as if they own me.”

“Don’t let them treat you that way,” she said.

“I’ll refrain from my response about others who let people control them.” He gave her a pointed look.

“Ouch,” she said. “Good thing I don’t take that personally.”

“All I’m saying is that it’s easier said than done. And you should know that better than anyone.”

“Noted. Still, I just wish they’d realize what a great guy they hired.” She stopped at the car door, and he hit the locks and opened it for her.

Before she got in, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

Jack smiled and walked around to get in behind the wheel. “You’re the only one here who appreciates me.” He gave a soft chuckle, but Karlie shook her head.

“I’m pretty sure Brock cares.”

After exchanging a look, they both let out a chuckle, and Jack headed to the home of the Calder Pride.

He left Karlie after another quick kiss and sighed as he watched her walk into the building. All he had wanted was to settle into the town and figure out who was setting fires. Then multiple homicides had landed at his feet. He didn’t like doubting himself, but he wondered if he had bitten off more than he could chew.

All the way to the meeting, he wondered if he was going to meet the same resistance. How long would it take the people of Everly, including the Calder County officials, to trust him or allow him to fit in?

When he reached the county boardroom, he could hear angered voices coming from down the hall.

“Crap,” he said and let out a sigh. “What now?”

He walked into the room, and the men grew silent.

Quinn was the first to speak. “Detective Isaac,” he said. “We’ve been waiting on you.”

“I hope it doesn’t take you this long to respond to other calls,” Commissioner White said.

“I’m sorry,” said Jack. “I was having breakfast and had to take someone by their office. I came as soon as I could. I thought by all the loud talking, you had started without me.”

Commissioner White scowled. “We’re just wondering what we’re supposed to do about the Docken’s Warehouse site. We’re supposed to start work in a few weeks and have already signed the contracts with Walton.”

“I’m sorry. Until I get everything I need, I can’t let that happen. But the good news is, it shouldn’t take long. I’ll let you know.”

“Do you think it will go on as planned? Is that even possible?”

“I’m sure if it isn’t, Mr. Walton would understand,” said Jack, taking a seat with the men. “He seems like a reasonable man who cares about the county and the people in it.”

No one could argue that.

“What are we supposed to do about this killer?” asked Commissioner Madison. “We’ve got some nutjob on the loose, and this disgusting display of theirs can’t keep happening. It’s a good thing they found it when they did. God only knows who might have seen it.”

“Not to mention every woman in town is scared to death,” White said. “I know my wife canceled her bunco game this week. That was my excuse to get out of the house. Now she keeps calling me and asking if I’ll be home before dark.”

Madison nodded. “Mine woke me up at two in the morning thinking someone was breaking in to kill her. That’s the third time this week.”

“At least you don’t have an ex who expects you to drive across town and check on her and the kids,” said District Attorney Mora. “My girlfriend wasn’t happy.”

“I know it’s making our lives tough, but I can’t beef up patrol any more than I have it,” said Sheriff Quinn. “I put out the midnight curfew, but that isn’t doing much.”

“Especially when you don’t enforce it,” said Jack. “And I get it. You don’t have enough people. You need more officers.”

White shook his head. “Unless you want to take a pay cut, which I’m sure you don’t, I don’t think we can afford it. We’re strapped with the new project rolling.”

“I’d suggest you hold off on the project and hire some new men.”

“I hate to say it, but I think he’s right,” said Quinn. “I know the project is important to you all, but the health and safety of this town should be a priority.”

Jack looked around at the men, who each had similar reactions of frustration.

Before anyone could comment on that, the subject was changed when District Attorney Mora spoke up again. “Can you give us an update on where you’re at with this case? I heard there was some kind of bug found at the scene? Do you have something to go on?”

“It was a butterfly. I’m not sure what it means yet. This is all coming at me pretty fast. Besides, I have a few things. The car. It’s still unaccounted for, but I have calls out and have been in touch with some owners of similar cars. I’ve pulled surveillance and have a name and description, but before I got too deep in that, we had the teacher go missing, and well, you know how that turned out.”

“What can you tell us about the killer?” asked Mora.

“Do you think it’s one man?” added Commissioner White. “That last display seemed pretty tough to pull off alone.”

“I think it is one man. He treats them like they are a project. The bodies are wiped clean. Even the ones with horrible wounds have been cleaned up with a bleach solution that kills anything I could normally pull from them, like the killer’s DNA. I know that the last two women knew each other, and I know that Hannah Runkle met this guy at the Cinder Springs Trade Days.”

Commissioner White scoffed. “That damned event attracts all of the riffraff. You should see some of those hippies who show up selling junk.”

“It’s a profitable event for Cinder Springs,” said Commissioner Madison. “There’s never been any trouble out there before. You just don’t like it because your wife spends too much money there.”

“It’s a bunch of junk,” White said again.

District Attorney Mora shook his head. “Can we just focus on the matter at hand? I know we’re all aggravated, but we have a serious problem that is only going to get worse if this killer isn’t caught.” He turned his attention to Jack. “Do you think you can get him? And I mean without the help of the FBI.”

“I think I can. But I do need something. From each of you.”

“Well, I’m sure we’ll all do what we can.”

“I was hoping you’d say that because I need your acceptance and cooperation. I need you to get behind me. And I mean in a public way. For starters, it would be good if the sheriff made that curfew earlier. No one is out after dark unless they are conducting business. Close the park. No one under eighteen out after six in the evening. And for God’s sake, at least two more officers to patrol and enforce it.”

“I think we can all agree on that,” said Mora. “Can’t we, gentlemen?”

The men all exchanged looks, and the moment wasn’t as tense as Jack expected. Perhaps they had all gotten so desperate they were willing to do anything. Even play nice.

White shook his head. “We can’t hire. But I suppose we could pay some overtime?”

“What’s the difference?” said Madison, who still seemed sore at White for the trade days comments. “How about a couple of part-timers? Or volunteers? I might be able to get some of the men over at Cinder Springs to lend a hand? Maybe Coldwell could do the same for Everly?”

“I think that could work,” said District Attorney Mora. “I’ll make some calls and see if we can’t get some men from surrounding departments to help out. Even if they just spread out the patrols, it could work.”

“I like it,” said White, with a big grin. “I think that’s going to do just fine.”

“Good,” said Mora. “Because I need to have a press conference, and you’ll all need to be with me. We’ll put our support behind Detective Isaac and reassure the town that we’re taking every measure possible in order to protect them. And this time, we make sure they can see it happening.”

Jack was surprised to hear District Attorney Mora taking charge. But the man had probably taken some heat from his peers over his silence. While the sheriff had put out a call for a late-night curfew, none of the others had spoken up yet.

“You’ll get that site approved for clearing?” said White, making sure Jack was going to stick to his word.

“Yeah, I’ll see what I can do.” He had to try and work with the men. If he wanted to get their support, he had to be supportive of them in return. And that meant giving a little.

Besides, the scene was wrapped up anyway. And while Jack liked to know that he could return and think about the killer’s methods, he had enough photographs to paint a clear enough picture. All the necessary samples had been taken in the area, and he had gone over it with a fine-toothed comb.

When the meeting ended, Jack left feeling like the men were finally on his side. Or at least for the time being. But Jack would take what he could get. Whatever their motives, any cooperation was better than none.

 

Read Chapter One of Hidden Inside the Painting…

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CHAPTER ONE

Andy

By morning, the storm had passed, and Hannah’s screams had faded into groveling pleas by the time Andy dressed for work. His mind was elsewhere.

Andy had seen the town’s new detective go into the wash room at Hannah’s house. Jack Isaac had looked right into the camera set up to watch Hannah’s dog, and it almost felt like Jack could see Andy, even though that was impossible. 

Andy hadn’t told Hannah anything about it. That was her old life. He had, however, considered ending his fun with her early.

He needed to know what was going on before he made any decisions. And while he had called the station earlier to say he wouldn’t be in until after lunch, he knew that he had to get down to the station as soon as possible.

“Please, tell me how Peaches is,” Hannah cried from behind the glass. “I know you checked in on her. I just want to know if he’s okay.”

“Shut up,” said Andy, who was pulling on a freshly washed shirt. “I’m thinking!” He hadn’t expected anyone to check her home or to be that concerned so quickly. He’d chosen Hannah because she had no one, but as it turned out, someone had noticed her disappearance almost immediately. 

He finished putting on his boots and walked over to the kill-room door to look inside.

Hannah looked rough, staring back at him from where she stood inches from the door. With dark circles under her eyes and her hair being a frazzled mess, she was only a shell of the woman he had met and grown fond of.

“I told you they will notice,” she said, her voice only slightly muffled through the wall where Andy paced in front of the door. “They’re probably looking for me as we speak. You don’t have to do this. You can let me go, and I’ll say we spent the night together, and the storm put the lights out, causing the alarm clock not to work. They’ll believe it. I won’t tell, I promise.”

“No,” said Andy. “Do you think I trust you?” He had already used the power outage as his excuse for being late to work, but letting her out wasn’t an option. There was only one way out for Hannah.

Hannah’s voice continued, sounding much like a bank teller’s or a child talking through a hollow tube. “I want you to trust me. I care about you, Andy. You could get some help. I would help you.”

Andy couldn’t believe his ears. “Do I look like I want help?”

She stood with her mouth open, her lips trembling.

Andy shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. They won’t find you here. They’ll never find you.” He hoped that would shut her up. Instead, it only made her cry again.

He was exhausted, having had no sleep because of his house guest. His patience was something that had gone with the thunder and lightning hours ago. Thankfully, his adrenaline and curiosity were enough to keep him going. And if he wanted to be in the middle of it all, he had to get down to the station.

Even though he had shut off the phone to protect himself and his location, he still needed to destroy it before Jack had a chance to use it against him.

Andy hurried out of the room and took it down to the basement. With a rotary tool, he made quick work of dismantling it. He would have to dispose of it with the things he had collected from the other girls.

He took the pieces and tossed them into a bucket with the other things that needed to be disposed of. He was getting faster destroying phones—this had been his third—and he knew which parts were the ones to focus on. He was proud of himself that, in spite of the pressure, he had managed to get the task done successfully.

Things hadn’t quite gone how he thought they would. He was supposed to have more time and blamed himself for going off plan to entertain the notion that Hannah was the right woman for him.

He had let the weak side of himself come through again, getting too attached to Hannah, but he was back on track. The stronger side always shined through when it mattered. And in order to stay ahead of the game, he had put himself in the middle of the action. Thankfully, his good buddy Jack would have no problem when he showed up to help.

Looking at his own phone, he realized he had wasted enough of his morning on her phone and he’d had enough of her incessant crying. It was time to leave for work, and while he didn’t want to, he was content to leave her there. No one would be around, certainly not his only neighbor, Mrs. Culpepper.

He went back upstairs to get his keys and put them in his pocket. As he walked by the kill room, Hannah pounded on the thick plexiglass window and screamed at him. “I want to see my Peaches! Please. I need my baby! I want to see my baby!”

She wailed like a mother longing for her child, but all Andy could think was that his own mother had never cared that much about him. Another woman’s love for her dog was stronger.

Andy decided to give her something to think about while he was gone. “Your phone is in a million pieces, Hannah. Be grateful you’re not. Now shut up.”

Hannah began to scream in terror, and while Andy would normally like that, he had other things to take care of.

Andy pounded his fist up against the window, which caused her to back away. “I said shut the fuck up!” Not even in dealing with Cierra and Brynlee had he sounded like such a demon. But Hannah was more fragile than both. And while her sweet disposition had been nice in the beginning, she now only reminded him of a pig being led to slaughter.

Hannah cowered away into the far corner as Andy put his face to the window and gave her a harsh look.

“I need to pee,” she said, glancing up at him with those big blue eyes. “Please let me out! I’ll be good, I promise. I just need to pee.”

Andy wasn’t going to take a chance of letting her out of there just yet. He had to get to work and see what the hell was going on at her house. “If you’re good, I’ll take you later. But not until you settle down. I’ll bring you food and water, but only if you’re good. So, sit there and shut your fucking mouth before I shut it for you!” 

He slammed his fist one more time and watched as she winced with fear. Hannah covered her head and pulled her knees in closer, as if making herself into a ball would protect her. But Andy already knew how it had to end.

But not until he had his fun.

Something had to make all the work he had done worth it.

But there was no time to think about that. It was time for him to focus on the next steps and get to work.

Andy left the house and listened for a bit while outside the door to make sure that no one could hear Hannah, who was no doubt still making some sort of noise from inside her box, whether it be pounding or screaming.

And while Andy had done his best to soundproof it, it wasn’t until he locked her up in there that he realized just how loud her screams could be.

But he couldn’t hear anything.

Leaving her there made him nervous, but he was confident that she wouldn’t be able to get out, if she even tried. He hadn’t made it known that he was going to be far, so he doubted that she would dare to take that chance.

He went to the truck and shut the door as he glanced toward Mrs. Culpepper’s house. He had thought about hiding her body where it wouldn’t be found but decided the best way to deal with her was to not deal with her at all.

Instead of being held up by her, he placed her back in her home, laying her out on the floor where he would say the heat of the sun had taken its toll on her.

There was no telling how long the woman would lie there until someone came along to find her. Sunday church services were almost a week away, and he knew that it might seem suspicious if he let it go that long. But with Hannah alive and kicking in his house, the idea of Jack Isaac and other cops being in such close proximity made him nervous.

Andy drove across town to the station. Once he parked and went inside, he found Chief Pellerin pacing his office with a phone to his ear.

“Is he sure about that?” he asked, raking his hand through his thinning hair. “How can he be so positive about such a thing? This woman has most likely gone off somewhere. Maybe she had a family emergency and didn’t have time to call anyone about it. I think it’s a little premature, but I’ll do what you want.” He glanced over at Andy and gave a nod as if he was glad to see him. “We’ll get right down there.”

When he hung up the receiver, Andy walked over to pour himself a cup of coffee. It was just what he needed to help him stay awake. “What was that all about?”

“Oh, Jack Isaac thinks he’s found another missing woman.”

“He found a body?” asked Andy, playing dumb.

“No. Get the truck. I’ll explain on the way.” Pellerin looked annoyed, but Andy was excited to be going. Anytime he could go to an active crime scene, it would give him clues on Jack’s mindset, and that would allow him to stay one step ahead.

Andy did as he was told, taking the coffee with him, which he sipped as quickly as he could without burning his tongue.

When he had the truck pulled around, Pellerin walked out and got into the passenger seat beside him. “I’ll put the address in the GPS so we can find it. I tell you what. I hope he’s right. If not, he’s sure going to look like a fool. Hell, it might serve him right and get him off of his high horse.”

Andy didn’t need a GPS to find his way to Hannah’s house, but he agreed with him, knowing he was already annoyed with him for missing half a day at the station. 

“You said you’d explain about the woman,” Andy reminded him. “I know you’re sore at me, but at least tell me what’s going on.”

Pellerin waved his hand. “I’m not sore. The damned storm knocked out my air unit. I have to get it fixed.”

“I see. Yeah, I don’t think any of us were ready for that storm. It sure came out of nowhere.” He was ready to steer the conversation back to the matter at hand. “So, where are we going?”

“Oh, it’s just some schoolteacher who no-showed at work, and now Isaac is having a fit. I swear, with all the gossip and nonsense going around, I guess he’s starting to believe it too.”

“That doesn’t sound like Jack,” said Andy. “To be fair, someone else had to report it. Maybe he has other evidence.”

“The school principal called it in,” said Pellerin. “He’s about as dramatic as half those women teachers he oversees. Bunch of gossiping hens.”

Pellerin wasn’t usually so down on everyone, but he disliked Jack and anything that would put him out of his office for the day. 

“Did you talk to Detective Isaac?” he asked, knowing that it was someone else on the phone when he walked in.

“No. The sheriff called me. He said there was already a crowd forming at this woman’s house. News is spreading fast, and he’s asking for us to come in and do what we usually do. You showed up at just the right time.”

“Well, hopefully, the day will get better,” said Andy. “I’m glad to help. I just hope it’s all for nothing. The last thing we need around here is another murder.”

“Well, it’s only a matter of time before Jack is knocked down a peg, and if he’s wrong about this one, he’s going to have a hell of a lot of explaining to do.” Pellerin seemed as though that wouldn’t bother him one bit, and Andy figured he was still sore at him for helping Andy get promoted.

As he continued toward the scene, Andy couldn’t wait to see Pellerin’s face when he realized Jack was right.

Read Chapter One of The Guest in the Attic…

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CHAPTER ONE

Jack

As Jack stood in the front office of the Everly Sheriff’s Department, the chatter going around about the most recent murder had his attention.

He was curious to hear it after the deafening silence that had followed Cierra Folk’s murder, as if everyone had been afraid to talk about anything directly related to the Calder family.

“I heard that the Women’s League has decided to move their afternoon business meeting to the morning for the safety of all members,” said Officer Corbin, who was standing behind her desk with one hand on her hip. She was a sturdy woman with a soft edge. “Everyone is talking as if the two crimes could be related and that we have some psychotic killer in Everly. Do you think that’s possible?”

“No way they’re related,” Officer Donohue said before Jack could even open his mouth to speak. “It’s clear that Cierra’s murder has something to do with that dillhole she’s been slumming with. He was probably after her money, and when she tried to ditch him, he went nuts. As for the other girl, I think she had a run-in with one of those tweakers. With the way that maniac left her at the scene? They were probably hallucinating on something. I think it’s probably the same one who burned down those buildings. Not that we’ll ever know who did that.” He turned his eyes to Jack, who didn’t miss the remark or its intention.

“It’s not proven that they are related, but I’m working on it,” said Jack. “And while I can understand speculation from the town, I don’t appreciate speculation coming from this department. I think you all should focus on keeping the public safe while trying to put them at ease.” 

He didn’t like Donohue’s attitude and didn’t want his negativity spreading through the department to the other officers, who, so far, seemed to get along with Jack reasonably.

But Donohue didn’t know when to shut up. “We’re honest with our locals around here, detective. I’m not sure how they did it back where you came from.”

Jack could tell that the implication of Donohue’s tone was that Jack needed to promptly return to the place from which he came. And that did nothing for Jack’s mood, especially when he had faced resistance at every turn since the moment he came to town.

Jack thought of the power certain people had in that town. “I suggest you concentrate on your end of things and let me handle mine.” He didn’t want to argue with the man but didn’t appreciate anyone telling him how to do his job.

“Does that include letting guilty men go free? The last time I checked, our cells were still empty. I’ll go grab that little son of a bitch anytime you want. Just say the word.” Donohue flashed a cocky grin toward the ladies in the room. It was obvious from his posture he thought himself the biggest cock in the henhouse.

“That’s not necessary,” said Jack, knowing that was the last thing he needed. He still had to talk to Trevor again, but that wasn’t the way he was going to go about it. Dax had told him a few things about Trevor that he needed to verify, and he wanted to approach it the right way.

Corbin chimed in. “I know a lot of the women are freaked out over that display. Everyone is talking about it. What kind of crazy person does something like that? And they’re out there, running around free? It’s shaking people up. We’re not used to that around here. This kind of thing is unheard of.”

Donohue nodded. “It’s probably one of those satanic cults. I’ve heard how they like to mock religion. It was obviously some weird ritual.”

“We don’t know that either,” said Jack, feeling uneasy about that conclusion. “And there wasn’t anything ritualistic found with the woman. Let’s not turn this into a witch hunt just yet.”

“It was a full moon the night before. I’ve read about things like that on the internet. Some of those cultists worship the moon. She may have been a sacrifice for all we know.” Donohue was serious, but Corbin gave him a sideward look.

“Angel wings or whatever, we can’t make that assumption based on that alone.”

Celia Sanguine, the front desk receptionist, spun around in her chair. Her face was twisted in a displeased grimace, and she shook her head with skepticism. “They don’t look like angel wings to me. They look more like the butterflies my little girl scribbles.” She waved her hand at Donohue as if she didn’t buy anything he had to say. “I just can’t see it being some satanic ritual.”

“You weren’t there,” said Donohue.

“I saw photos,” she said, sharpening her tone. Jack could tell that she didn’t seem to like Donohue very much. Nor did she agree with his assessment. “I just think that you’re reaching, is all. Let Jack do his job.”

Donohue gave her a pointed look. “I think we should all do our jobs,” he said. “Maybe you should stay off social media.”

As Donohue strutted out of the office, Celia glanced at Jack. “I only go to the local pages on my breaks,” she clarified.

Jack gave her a reassuring smile and checked his watch. It was time to meet up with Dr. Thompson.

***

After driving out to Thompson’s Mortuary, Jack realized that he wasn’t the only one with an appointment.

Most of the front room was full of mourners, women crying into tissues, and men sipping coffee and offering comfort.

At the front entry was a framed photo of the deceased, a middle-aged man wearing a blue suit with a flower on his lapel looking rosy-cheeked with the cheesiest grin. The photo was taken some years ago, judging from the man’s wardrobe, but it was apparently the way the family wanted to remember him.

Jack shook a few hands and passed through the crowd, only earning a few strange looks. One of the attendants came over to see him. She was around forty with a demure look and her hair in a loose bun.  

“Are you Detective Isaac?” she whispered.

“Yeah, I’m sorry I wasn’t aware there was a service this morning.” He felt out of place and did his best to be respectful.

“It’s just a viewing,” she said, dismissing the issue. “Come on. I’ll show you to the back.” She started down the hall, and Jack followed, feeling no less the intruder.

When he was shown to the door, Jack went inside and found Dr. Thompson standing over the man from the photograph, doing his best to blush the corpse’s pale cheeks.

The man was laid out in the casket, dressed in his Sunday best. 

Jack tried not to be distracted that the man was being buried in the same suit as his photo. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how busy you would be this morning.”

“Oh, don’t worry about it. I’m just doing a bit of a touch-up on Mr. Pete here. His widow wanted him to look more like he did in life.”

About that time, Dr. Thompson walked over to the door and gave it a tap that prompted a young man who had his hair slicked back to come into the room.

“He’s ready to go. There’s not much more I can do for him, so tell her sending him back in isn’t an option.” He talked as if he was ready for the crowd to leave, and when the young man was done wheeling Mr. Pete out of the room, Dr. Thompson turned around and let out a sigh. “Let’s hope that satisfies her.”

“If it’s not a good time, I can come back later.” Jack not only wanted to get out of the man’s hair, but he didn’t want to impose on the family.

“Nonsense. I’m eager to go over something with you.” He walked over to the cold storage and opened the door to one of the compartments.

“Did you find something?”

“Yeah.” He pulled out the tray and uncovered the body of their latest victim. “Yeah, I did. One thing I noticed right away was how clean the body was. If you can recall, Ms. Folk was in a similar condition.”

“Yeah. She was unusually clean for the amount of blood that had to have been at the scene. It’s too uncommon to think that’s a coincidence.”

Dr. Thompson nodded. “I did a test and found that both of the victims were washed with a bleach solution. Not only did he clean them up, but he sterilized them.”

Jack let it sink in. “That’s not a common practice with any victim I’ve ever seen. Most do the killing and leave them where they lie. Even in cases of moving the body, I’ve never seen anything like this. Usually, they are dumped or hidden. Cierra was left right at the water’s edge for someone to find, and this woman was posed like the killer was trying to make some kind of statement. This is unique, for sure.”

“Agreed,” said Thompson. “Crime scenes are usually some of the filthiest places. Both of these crimes seem to lack that.”

“Even though the scenes were vastly different, that’s definitely something that sticks out. And it tells us that these cases are most likely related.”

“I have to agree with that. It’s too unlikely that two different individuals would take the time to clean them up like this.”

Jack tried to put all the pieces together. “Maybe it’s progression, and the killer is finding his way. Maybe he’s settling into his routine and finding his voice.”

“You think he’s trying to say something?” asked Thompson.

“In a roundabout way. Sometimes killers speak to their motives with their actions whether they think we’ll hear them or not. And with this last scene, with things being staged, I have to ask myself why someone would do such a thing.”

“It’s possible. Or he’s just insane.” He let go of a heavy breath. “I did find something else that made me take pause.”

“You have my full attention,” said Jack, who couldn’t wait to hear more.

“The wound was bandaged at some point in time with cotton gauze. I compared it under the microscope with some I had here, and the fibers match. They are the same material. You’ll get a more detailed analysis from the lab, but it’s another thing that we see similar with both cases.”

“So, it’s your best conclusion that this is one killer?”

“I’d have to agree with that.” He pulled the sheet up over her face.

Jack was surprised to have someone agree with him. “And you’re sure you don’t mind siding with me?”

“I’m not choosing sides, detective. I’m doing my job. And I am a man of science. I can’t ignore the evidence.”

“Do you have a problem keeping this between us for the time being?”

“I see no problem with that,” said Thompson as he pushed the body back into the compartment. “As long as you keep me in the loop as to your actions, I’ll follow your lead. Besides, I’m not sure if Everly is ready for this.”

“Which is why I want to find something more concrete before I let this out. Not to mention that doing so could jeopardize the case this early on. I think we keep it close to the vest until we’re forced otherwise. The two were both left in the Crane Lake area. I’ll start there, as well as following up with some statements.” He needed to check on Dax’s comments about Trevor.

“People are already starting to talk. I know some are suspicious that there is a madman on the loose. It’s going to cause a panic if it gets out. Especially if you breathe a word about a serial killer.”

“Which is why I’d like to see if I can link these young ladies in some other way. If I can do that, I might just find who killed them before he does it again.” Jack could only hope that the man messed up somehow. While the scene seemed carefully staged, the body carefully prepared, no one was perfect all the time.

“Do you think he will?” asked Thompson.

Jack sighed. “Let’s hope not. This is one time I’d rather be wrong.”

Read Shadow in the Mirror Chapter One…

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CHAPTER ONE

Jack

Detective Jack Isaac straightened his tie as he walked into the Calder County courthouse, located in the heart of Everly. Jack was supposed to meet with the county officials over the details and direction of the recent murder he���d been investigating. He still wasn���t clear on what they wanted from him, but he was confident they would let it be known.

When he stepped into the main hallway, he spotted Sheriff Quinn standing with Penelope Calder, who, despite being fixed up, looked ten years older than the last time he saw her.

���Ah, Detective Isaac,��� said Quinn. ���Right on time.��� He held out his hand, and Jack took it, giving it a firm shake.

Jack turned his attention to Penelope and offered his hand to her. ���Ms. Calder,��� he said, trying to be polite.

The woman seemed reluctant to shake his hand, but finally, she took it. ���Hello, detective. The others are waiting.���

She turned and walked away, and Quinn waved Jack on. ���Let���s get down there. I know they have a few questions for you.���

Jack wasn���t sure who ���they��� were. Even though he had made introductions, he still hadn���t the pleasure of formal introductions.

He entered the room just in time to see one of the other men offer Ms. Calder a seat and pull out her chair. Jack had met a few of the men before, including Mayor Calder.

Another was Mr. Thompson, the medical examiner, as well as the mortician at Thompson���s Family Mortuary. While Jack was surprised, he was also glad to see him, considering he could back Jack up on the condition of Cierra Folk���s injuries and any medical questions they may have.

But part of him couldn���t help but wonder what had been discussed before his arrival.

As the sheriff pulled out a chair and offered him a place at the table, he began introductions. ���Good morning, gentlemen, Ms. Calder. For those of you who haven���t had the pleasure, this is Everly���s newly appointed detective, Jack Isaac.���

Jack nodded and gave a smile as Sheriff Quinn continued. ���Detective Isaac, you know Mr. Thompson, Ms. Calder, and Sonny Calder, our county mayor.���

Jack agreed. ���Good to see you all again.���

���This is District Attorney Ryan Mora, Commissioner Ed Madison, and Commissioner Alex White.���

���Good to know you,��� said Commissioner White, who was sitting closest to Jack. He extended a hand.

���If no one has any other introductions,��� said DA Ryan Mora, who seemed to have better places to be with his gold watch and black-on-black suit, ���I���m sure the rest of us would like to get started.���

Jack nodded, not missing the man���s tone. ���I agree.���

Sheriff Quinn cleared his throat. ���I think what you���d all like to know is where Detective Isaac intends on starting his investigation.��� He gave Jack a reassuring look.

���As well as what findings have been made so far upon your examination with Dr. Thompson,��� added Commissioner White.

Jack had been under the impression that with Thompson there already and Ms. Calder out of the room, they may have already discussed what shape Cierra Folk���s body was in. Speaking about Cierra���s condition in front of her mother wasn���t appropriate.��

He tried to keep things vague. ���Due to the condition of her body, along with the examination with Dr. Thompson, I have determined, and we agreed, that she was murdered by blunt force trauma. And as standard, I will start with a full inquiry of all family members, as well as her close and personal friends, particularly any romantic interests she may have had.���

Commissioner Madison, whose thick low brows made him look a bit angry, spoke up. ���I���m sure everyone will agree that her mother and uncle have nothing to do with what happened to her, so couldn���t you bypass formality for common courtesy?���

Jack couldn���t disagree more. ���No, logic tells me that by questioning the people close to her, especially her family, I will get information that leads to others who may very well be involved. As painful as that may be, families usually understand and want no stone unturned, even if that stone is in their front yard, so to speak.���

���I have no objection to answering your questions,��� said Ms. Calder, who had gone a bit glassy-eyed. ���I appreciate everyone wanting to shelter me, but I will not rest until I get answers for my daughter.���

���I was hoping you���d feel that way because it���s come to my attention that your daughter was in a long-term engagement that suddenly ended? I think him, along with some of her other friends from school, might be an appropriate start.���

���You are talking about Dax Walton,��� said Sheriff Quinn, who shifted in his seat uncomfortably. ���His father is very well respected here in town. He comes from a fine family and has always been an upstanding young man.��� He glanced at Penelope as if they had a problem.

But Jack didn���t care what side business they had with the man if any. ���I���m not here to determine anyone���s popularity,��� said Jack. ���I���m sure you���re all a close-knit community but I have to look at facts.���

���Some might see going after certain people as a waste of time,��� Quinn said.

Jack shook his head. ���I think that Ms. Calder would agree with me that nothing in the name of finding her daughter���s killer would be a waste of time.���

���My only concern is that you will upset the balance of things with unnecessary interrogations,��� said Commissioner Madison. ���I wasn���t pleased to hear your meddling caused the Grey family a great deal of trouble.���

���Trouble?��� Jack repeated the word with an incredulous tone. ���I beg your pardon, Commissioner Madison. But would you rather I support the truth or do you feel comfortable with a fire chief who lies to insurance companies because he���s either too lazy to do his job or perhaps because he doesn���t want to step on any toes?���

The men glanced at one another as if they didn���t know what he was talking about. ���Are you saying that Chief Pellerin didn���t do his duties?���

���I���m saying he didn���t investigate the Grey���s fire. When I got involved, it came to my attention that he had taken the family���s word about how the fire must have started. He never even bothered to double-check. In fact, it seems we may have an arsonist here in Everly.���

Sheriff Quinn nearly stood up in his seat as he found the others��� eyes upon him. ���I think we discussed that, Jack.���

���Yes, we did. But in my investigation, I���m finding that things aren���t exactly adding up. Not only that, but he���s hesitant to hire anyone full-time, even though funding has come through.���

���It���s no crime for him to take his time,��� said DA Mora. ���And I don���t see how it���s any of your business, detective.���

���I think you should ask why, especially when he has the perfect candidate right under his nose. I suggested he hire Andy Allen. He seems to want the job.��� Jack felt like it was a no-brainer and didn���t understand the hesitation, other than Pellerin wanting his family to have the job, which he decided to keep to himself.

���I agree Andy would be a good fit,��� said Sheriff Quinn, giving the other men a nod. ���Maybe someone should talk to Pellerin?���

���I���ll go out and talk to him,��� said Mayor Calder.

���In light of what���s happened with Ms. Folk, I think it���s only right that we shift your focus to the crime at hand,��� Commissioner White said. ���There���s no need to have your time divided.���

���I agree that a murder case should take priority, but there is no reason I can���t handle both cases as long as I have Sheriff Quinn and the rest of the department���s cooperation and assistance, of course. As well as Pellerin���s.���

���I don���t think there is a case where Pellerin is concerned,��� said DA Mora. ���It sounds like you���re reaching for straws, and it sounds like we should leave the rest to Pellerin. If there are any problems, I���m sure he can handle them. These were specific incidents, to my knowledge, and completely unconnected to any crime.���

Jack knew better than that, but he knew it would take more than gut feelings to convince them. ���Someone burned down the Grey���s house. I found evidence that it was a criminal act. It���s my job to look into that.���

���It���s your job to find out who committed murder in our town,��� said Commissioner Madison. ���Cierra was a beloved figure in Everly. I think I speak for all of us that you should put your focus there. This other will pass.���

���With all due respect,��� said Jack, who was ready to argue his side of things.

But he was quickly interrupted. ���I think we���ve made ourselves clear,��� said DA Mora. ���Focus on the murder, and let the fires rest. I���m willing to discuss what you���ve told us with Pellerin myself, but until there is actual proof that any of these cases are related, you should let them be. Let���s not start up an investigation where there is none when we have such a high-profile case in front of us.���

Jack wanted to ask how he was supposed to prove anything if he wasn���t allowed to investigate it anymore. But he was feeling so outnumbered he decided to let it go for the time being. It wouldn���t change his opinion. Those fires were important too. But it would take another one to convince them they mattered.

As it stood, they weren���t as important as finding the killer.

Penelope Calder leaned forward and steepled her hands in front of her on the table. ���If you gentlemen are done arguing over a few fires, I���d like to know what, if anything, Detective Isaac has done to find my daughter���s car. It���s still missing.��� She wiped the corner of her glassy eyes with a tissue.

Jack was surprised that the woman���s concern was misguided. She was more worried about the car? What of her daughter���s killer? ���I���ve got an APB out on it,��� said Jack. ���But it���s only been forty-eight hours. It���s bound to turn up.���

���Could it be in the lake?��� asked Commissioner White.

���We could have it dragged just to make sure,��� said Jack. ���But there was no indication that a car was rolled into the lake. No ground was disturbed around the area. No tracks led into the water. We���re not even sure where Cierra met up with the killer.���

���But you could check the lake just to be sure?��� asked Penelope.

���Of course,��� said Sheriff Quinn. ���I���ll call Coldwell and get their team of divers. I���m sure there won���t be a problem having that done by the end of the day.���

Jack noticed how quickly Quinn was willing to jump through hoops for the woman. He also noted the tone of his voice and how it changed whenever he spoke to Penelope.

���Thank you, Sheriff,��� she said to him as if it were all his idea. ���It���s a comfort knowing you are around.���

Jack couldn���t figure them out, other than wondering if they had a past, and tried not to take their remarks personally. He had to prove himself with this bunch, and that was just the way of it. ���I���d really like to speak with Dax Walton today.���

���I think you should let that rest,��� said Mayor Calder. ���Surely you have other places you can start?���

Jack felt like he was talking to a wall. One he was solidly up against. ���I suppose I could give it a day and start with Cierra���s friends at school. I���d like to speak with Ms. Calder and get a few names if possible. I plan on heading out to the campus this afternoon. I���d like to speak with you if you have time.���

���My daughter is dead, detective. I have nothing else to do but mourn.��� Penelope wiped her tears, taking care not to poke her eye out with her sculpted nails.

Jack understood her to be a bit aggravated on top of her mourning. ���I���m very sorry,��� he said sincerely.

Sheriff Quinn spoke up, directing his attention to DA Mora. ���I think there was something else you wanted to touch on today, Ryan?���

���Yeah, I just want to make sure that Mr. Isaac here understands that discretion is going to be very important, considering this case. I want it handled with kid gloves. And I would like for us to be notified of every big decision regarding the media and what is released.���

���Surely you can understand that I have no control over that.���

���I���m confident that our local papers will solidly comply with what I want to be published. But any statements let out past that should not make my daughter look bad in any way. I will not have her name dragged through the mud. I will not have her set out there in a bad light.��� Penelope���s chin quivered and her chest heaved.

���I understand,��� said Jack. But he was just saying that to keep her calm. And it made him wonder what the woman might hold back to keep her daughter from looking bad. ���I will use discretion, and I have no problem keeping any of you abreast of what is happening in the case as necessary. But I feel I must say I will not compromise my case for anyone���s reputation. The facts will be what they will be, and finding out who murdered Cierra Folk is my main concern.���

���As long as we understand each other,��� said DA Mora. ���Now, gentlemen, unless there is anything else we need to discuss, I���m sure we all have a busy day ahead of us. And I���m sure Detective Isaac has a lot of work to do.���

Penelope got up from her seat before the mayor could offer assistance and stormed out the door. But Jack wasn���t going to let her leave until he had the information he needed.

���Ms. Calder,��� he called out. ���I wanted to speak with you.���

���I���m sorry,��� she said, releasing a deep breath. ���I feel a bit like a trapped cat. I just want to go back in time. But I can���t.���

���I know what it���s like to lose someone you care about,��� he said. ���But I can���t imagine what you���re going through.���

���No, you can���t. Cierra was special. She was a light to everyone who knew her.���

���I���m sure she was. And I intend on speaking with Breanna March. I believe that was the name of her friend?���

���Yes,��� said Penelope with a sneer. ���She should be able to tell you about that young man she was seeing.���

���Okay, I���ll make sure to ask her. Do you happen to know the last time your daughter spoke to her ex-fianc��, Dax Walton?���

���Detective Isaac, I think we���ve made it quite clear that Dax had nothing to do with this.���

���No, you suggested that I look in another direction, and I���m willing to start elsewhere, but I���m eventually going to have to speak with him.��� There was no way to avoid it, and he didn���t really understand why she would take the ex���s side.

���I���m sure once you speak with Breanna, your opinion will change. She���s trash. Cierra should never have been friends with her. Find the guy she was seeing the night of her birthday. He was driving her car, according to witnesses. Find the car. You���ll find her killer. I���m certain of it.���

Jack didn���t like the way they were all so protective of Dax Walton but decided he would let it go���for the time being.

Read Chapter One of The Fate of Reality

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PROLOGUE

Danny opened his eyes to see the dim lightbulb swinging far above his head. As the room began to spin, he sank deeper into the cold hard concrete where he lay. Time moved slower, too, like God had put his thumb on the world, and all reality began to blur as Danny tried to remember the past half hour.

His arm stung where he was cut and bleeding, but the blood around him that spattered his face and covered his blue t-shirt was not his alone.

His shaking, blood-soaked hands trembled with fear, power, and exhilaration for what he’d done.

Blood thickened on his fingertips—he could taste the salt and copper on his tongue—and sweat dripped pink from his brow.

When he gained enough courage to turn his head, he saw her there across the room where he’d left her. His mother lay still, quiet, and unable to judge him. She would never judge or belittle him again.

Despite the fog in his mind, he was fully aware of what he’d done. He’d finally killed her. And nothing in the world was going to change that. Not that he wanted to. But it just seemed so final. He had changed his world, and there was no going back.

He sat up and scooted against the wall. And while he stared at the bloody floor, footsteps sounded over his head.

“Vera?” called a feminine voice. “Vera, honey, are you down there?” The steps and voice came closer, and it sent Danny’s heart racing.

She was down there, alright, lying in a pool of blood with her face completely rearranged by a brick. It lay on the floor next to her in two pieces that were now soaked in her blood and brains—the rough edges had chipped against her bones.

The door opened a sliver, spilling light in from upstairs, and Danny drew his gawky fourteen-year-old limbs in tight against his chest and curled into a ball. If he curled tight enough, perhaps she wouldn’t see him there. Perhaps he could disappear.

But when the scream pierced his ears, he knew it was too late. “Danny? Oh my God, Danny! What have you done!”

The light from above shadowed her face, but not enough for him to miss the horror that crossed her expression.

Those words rang through his ears as if they had been spoken through a long tube, and the reverberation lasted well after she was gone. She had run back up the stairs as if her life depended on it.

With his chest heaving, he moved toward his mother, crouching on all fours. She had been transformed. Now it was time for her to finish the transformation and fly.

The concrete floor of the basement bit into his knees as he crawled across the room. His hands trembled thinking about that heavy brick and what he had done with it.

He had chipped away at her, just as she had chipped away at him. With the constant digs at his self-esteem, he had withstood as much as he could bear, but when the verbal turned physical, he had done what he felt he had to do. He had taken the brick from the basement floor and struck her from behind.

She had made a sound when he hit her, low and guttural, and the force quickly knocked her to the floor. But the devil didn’t die easily. 

She had regained her wits and rolled over to look up at him. He’d stood there with the brick, his body thrumming like a live wire. 

“You useless little bastard,” she had said. “You’ve always been a disappointment, but this is a new low, even for you.” She had touched her forehead and looked at the blood on her fingers. “Clearly, I’ve been too lenient with you. If my lessons fall on deaf ears, I’ll have to teach louder.”

He had hit her again and she’d finally looked afraid. His mother had crawled away from him then, making noises like a wounded animal. 

He had never seen her like that. For once, she wasn’t in control. He was. Having the power to bring the helplessness out of her made him wonder what other emotions she had hidden beneath. Everyone was hiding something.

She had gripped her chair as she tried to get to her feet. He’d kicked it away from her, and she’d sprawled onto her back.

She smiled cruelly up at him. “You’ll pay for this—”

It was the last thing his mother ever said to him. 

His third strike had cracked her skull with a sound like a gun shot. Her smile had disappeared into the sunken cavity that used to be her face.

He looked into that empty anonymous face now. Maybe someone would make sense of it. A doctor, perhaps? A mortician? 

He dipped his hand in her open skull like a paintbrush and dragged the color across the floor until he had created one long wing that stretched out from her body.

Danny crawled over her, careful not to disturb her. His mother had never looked more at peace. 

He recreated the wing on her other side and sat back, admiring his work until his vision grew blurry and he lost all time.

Sometime later, the door opened again. Only this time, it wasn’t his mother’s friend who came to see her—it was the police.

An officer shined his light into the room, and it hit Danny’s eyes. He winced, holding up his hand to shield himself from it. The policeman came closer, training his gun on him.

“Don’t move! Put both hands where I can see them!”

Danny did as he was instructed and was quickly taken into custody. As they led him away, he took one look back at his mother and smiled. Wherever he was going, he was sure it was much better than being with her.

Now they were both free.

Agony is now live!

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People keep dying around the mysterious attorney, Kay Havelin, and New Orleans police officer Reese Milo will risk his job and his life to find out why. All the evidence is coming together, but Officer Milo won’t like where it points.

Fighting a war on all fronts, the cracks are starting to show in Kay Havelin’s carefully laid plans. As her world falls apart, she’ll have to avoid getting buried in the wreckage.

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CHAPTER ONE

Kay

Kay strolled into the office that morning and was greeted by Marnie’s cold shoulder. Kay sighed and accepted the day wouldn’t get any better than the day before. Not only was her best friend still angry about her marriage, but Reese Milo had foiled her plans, and he had cost her hundreds of thousands of dollars and a client.

To make it worse, she needed to return the majority of her lawyer fees in order to make Davenport happy, and with all that time wasted working with him, her career wasn’t going any better than her day.

“Were there any messages for me while I was out yesterday?” she asked Marnie, knowing the answer was most likely no. The only clients she had weren’t useful or exciting, and she wondered why she even showed up for work at all now that Daniel Davenport had given her the ax.

“No,” said Marnie, keeping her response short and not so sweet. Things were still awkward between them, and Kay wasn’t sure it would ever get right. She had planned to keep their relationship work-related as much as possible, knowing that if she carried out her plans on Scott, it was best for Marnie to be as far away from it as possible.

“Thank you.” Kay went into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and found a few pastries lying out. “And thank you for the pastries,” she said, hoping to strike up some sort of conversation. “These look good. And they’re cream filled?”

“They aren’t so great,” Marnie said, trying her best not to make a big deal out of it. “It was cheaper to buy more than one.” 

Kay gave her a sideward glance and was about to say something when Scott arrived.

With his hair disheveled and a crooked tie, he looked to have had a rough morning as well. “Why didn’t you wait for me? I would have followed you in.”

She had skipped out early during breakfast, hoping to get a head start. 

“Sorry. It’s just a tad creepy knowing that someone’s following me.” She really wanted to have as much time away from him as possible with the unfortunate events with Daniel and Reese. She would have to put her plans for Scott on the backburner, which meant spending more time with him than she liked. Any chance she had to get away, she would, even if it was only a head start and the freedom of not having a controlling husband looking over her shoulder.

“Well, you didn’t have to cut your breakfast short. If you insist on taking your own car, I’d really prefer you wait for me. We’re married now. You should humor me that much.”

“I don’t see why it matters,” she said, walking to the coffee pot to pour a cup. “We can’t ride together. We’re in separate cars. And I have things to do.”

“As if I don’t. But I would have waited.” Scott didn’t seem to realize how unreasonable he sounded.

“Oh great,” said Marnie, mumbling under her breath. “A lovers’ spat.”

Kay was sick of it as well, but Scott was in no mood for Marnie’s comments. He spun around to Marnie and pointed his finger at her as if he was scolding a child. “You mind your own business and get back to work.”

“She’s not wrong,” said Kay, not appreciating his tone. “You should wait until we’re home to discuss such things. As for getting to work, I think it’s time I do the same. Marnie, I’ll be out for a while. I’m going to see Daniel Davenport.”

Scott, who was on his way into his office, stopped in the doorway to give her a disapproving look. “I thought you said he fired you. Don’t tell me he changed his mind overnight.”

“No, he didn’t change his mind.” There was no possibility of that. Now all she could do was convince him that Reese had been wrong and so was he. She would do her best to make Daniel think that she had good intentions all along, even if he didn’t want to believe it.

“Wow. You got fired?” asked Marnie, looking and sounding concerned. It was the type of thing that, just a month ago, Marnie would have been the first person she told. “Is that why you didn’t come back to work yesterday evening?”

“Yes,” said Scott in a harsh tone. “And she’s better off if you ask me. I told you that you shouldn’t get involved with that man in the first place. You should have listened to me. I could have saved you a lot of time and trouble. But no, you’re hellbent on doing things your way, Kay. One day, you’ll realize that I know what’s best for you.”

That day would never come either. “I don’t have any regrets,” she said, biting into the pastry that was as underwhelming as Marnie promised.

“Did he say why?” asked Marnie. “Did you do something wrong?”

Kay was shocked that she was at least talking to her and seemed concerned. She walked to stand in the kitchen doorway. “No, I didn’t. I think he just thinks he can get someone else to do a better job for him. That and Officer Milo is putting wild ideas in his head.”

Marnie’s eyes widened. “Officer Milo?”

“He’s a fool,” Scott snapped, giving Marnie a hard look. He turned his attention back to Kay. “As for Davenport, you were doing him a favor, but he’s too stupid to see it.”

“What do you mean?” asked Marnie, looking as if there was a lot she was missing.

Scott regarded her as if she were stupid. “Think about it, Marnie. A woman like Kay, one who is seen in the public eye as a victim, yet she’s still willing to help him out? That was his last glimmer of hope. Now he doesn’t have anyone to make him look good.”

Kay wanted to tell him that Daniel never stood a chance, but that would have made her look suspicious. Why take a case when you don’t believe in your client? Only if that client stands to make you a fortune, of course. Scott didn’t need to know that end of it.

Scott looked pleased with himself. “Yep, Davenport is going down.”

Kay stared a hole through Scott, knowing the same was true for him. He was a bad man too, and she was going to make sure he paid for what he did to Casey if it was the last thing she did.

Scott walked to his office door and looked back at Kay. “Let’s hope that as you grow as an attorney, you’ll learn to make better choices.”

“No hope of that,” said Marnie, giving Kay a teasing look that told her the real Marnie was still in there somewhere. “She married you.”

“I guess you think you’re funny,” said Scott, snapping back at her without a hint of teasing in his tone. “I suggest that you watch yourself. All of this nastiness and the way you’re acting petty about us just might catch up to you.”

Marnie paled and looked up at him with shock in her expression. “I was only joking, Scott.”

“That’s Mr. LeBlanc,” he said. “You want to sit around here pouting and giving my wife the cold shoulder? I’ll show you how cold we can be. We’ve treated you well, provided you a nice job, a home.” 

Kay stiffened but held her tongue until he was done.

“I suggest that you remember your position here. Remember who signs your paychecks and owns your home.”

Marnie looked as if she had been slapped in the face and spat on, which was exactly what Scott wanted.

“I own it!” snapped Kay. “And that’s not going to change anytime soon. You’ll do well to remember that. And you’ll do well to watch your tone. Marnie has a right to her opinions, and in case you’ve lost your sense of humor, she was only kidding around, like she used to. Maybe it’s you who has changed.”

Something had been off about him since the honeymoon, and she couldn’t understand why he was acting so hateful and making a big deal out of everything.

Scott swallowed hard enough for Kay to see his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I’m sorry, darling.” He softened his voice and hung his head.

“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to her,” she said. “I really just want things to go back to the way they were, if it’s entirely possible for either of you.”

Scott looked really annoyed but did as she said. “I apologize,” he said to Marnie. “I guess I’m just under a lot of pressure lately. But you do have to treat us with respect. Kay is my wife, and I’m still your boss.”

Looking aggravated, he went into his office and slammed the door.

Kay turned to Marnie and walked over to console her. “I’m sorry about that. He shouldn’t have said those things.”

“Well, I’d be lying if I didn’t say it hasn’t crossed my mind. Or that you and he might start to leave me out, which you have apparently done. There was a time you told me everything. And now I’m questioning everything. It’s like I don’t even know you anymore. Either of you. And I feel like I’ve lost my best friend.”

Kay didn’t know how many more times she had to reassure her. “You haven’t. It’s just different now, is all. We have a new schedule. I’ll make time. But I’m dealing with a hell of a lot.”

“Apparently, he is too. So, what if your new husband loses his temper and I find myself out of a job? How could I pay the rent?”

Kay wanted to strangle Scott for putting those fears in her. “You know you don’t have to worry about that. You’re not going anywhere.” Even though they had their ups and downs, she had no intention of putting Marnie out on the streets, even though she sometimes wanted to. And that was not Scott’s threat to make.

But Marnie didn’t want to be consoled. She put on her indifferent expression and turned toward her keyboard without saying another word.

Just when Kay thought things stood a chance of going back to normal, Scott had killed it with one temper tantrum.

“I’ll be back after lunch,” said Kay, knowing her errands would take a while. The prison wasn’t the only place she had to go. “I’ve got to go and have Davenport sign off on some things. Just let me know if anyone calls.”

Marnie nodded, and Kay let go of a frustrated breath, wondering why Scott had to turn into an even bigger jackass than he was before. She wasn’t sure that it would ever go back to being the happy workspace it had once been, but she vowed that the moment she gained control, she’d make sure that she ran things differently.

She left the office and headed out to her car, feeling like everything was a mess and it was only getting worse. Reese Milo was working with Eddleman against her, and while they wouldn’t be able to prove she was somehow responsible for any of the crimes he had accused her of, she couldn’t help but wonder if Reese Milo had a hand in them himself. There was still so much she needed to figure out about those two and what they were up to.

She drove away from the office, and instead of heading out to the prison, she made a stop by the bank and deposited the money she had taken from Daniel’s account back into place. She also returned a large portion of his fees, minus a small amount for her time, which she would explain was standard. She had to get something for her time, regardless of the situation, and hoped that he would understand. Or at least be reasonable.

Read Chapter One of MISDEED

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CHAPTER ONE

Reese

Two weeks after the explosion, Reese Milo was more determined than ever to get back to work. There was too much to do to sit around, and precious time was wasting. Besides, he had to finish what he and Sallie started.

Just when he and Sallie had made up and he had finally gotten permission to look into Kay Havelin’s involvement with the murders of Finch, Crawford, and Davenport, his world came screeching to a halt.

Reese could still smell the smoke when he thought about the car bomb. He could taste the grit from the dust he’d inhaled when he ducked for cover. It was like he was still at the scene. 

He’d never forget how it felt when he had finally gotten to Sallie and he was unconscious. Reese wanted to help him but was quickly pulled away for his own health to be assessed. While he had suffered a bit of tinnitus from the concussive sound of the explosion, Sallie had taken almost a direct hit. And he knew it couldn’t be good.

Glass and metal twisted around him in his truck, and it had taken paramedics a while to get him out of the wreckage. Reese had thought he was dead for sure, but the man was stronger than he gave him credit for.

As Reese walked down the hall of the station, he couldn’t help but think of Sallie, who was still in ICU and in a medically induced coma with little hope of a full recovery. The doctors had agreed to make him comfortable, but each day passed with less hope for improvement.

Before Reese could make it to Chief Riles’s office, the chief’s voice rumbled down the hallway behind him. “I’ll be damned,” he said. “Aren’t you supposed to be at home?”

Riles wasn’t happy to see him back, but he was ready to battle if necessary. Guilt was going to be a powerful tool against his chief this time around. “I know you’d rather I stay on the sidelines, but I can’t. I need to be here. I need to work.”

Riles groaned and looked displeased as he motioned for Reese to follow him into his office. “No one has been through as much as you have over the past two years, and yet, you’re just as stubborn as usual.”

“It’s not easy watching from the bench while everyone else is in the game. You should understand that better than anyone. They attacked one of our own. This is an all hands on deck situation. All I’m asking for is a chance to be helpful.” 

Riles wordlessly offered him a seat, and Reese sat down across from him.

The chief settled into his big black leather chair with a stormy expression. The man had never appreciated Reese’s will to press forward. And Reese didn’t expect that to change. 

Riles shook his head. “I just think it’s best that you lay low until they figure out who tried to kill you. There’s a target on your back.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Reese said.

“I like your spirit, but it’s not just you who might get hurt.” 

Reese nodded. “All the more reason to find who did this and bring them in.”

“Let me explain something that should be obvious,” Chief said. “I don’t like good officers getting hurt under my watch—even stubborn assholes like you.” 

“Well, I’m safer here than I would be sitting at my house. Unless you’re afraid that they’ll blow up the building?” 

“I think whoever did this was trying to send a message to you and everyone here. And I can’t let you anywhere near the investigation, if that’s what you’re thinking. You’re going to have to trust that it’s in good hands and leave it be.”

“I’m not worried about the bombing. I’ll leave that to the FBI. But I do want to look into the situation with Kay Havelin. Sallie had just given me permission to investigate her, and I’m asking you to allow me to finish what we started.”

Riles sighed. “How is he? Any better?”

Reese gave a grim look and shook his head. “Still out of it. They don’t know if he’s going to make it, but I think he’ll fight.”

“If I know Sallie, he’s going to do just that.” Riles didn’t sound as if he believed it. It was more like he was trying to convince himself.

“We were neck deep in something big before he got hurt,” said Reese. “I need to get back to work and figure out how all the pieces fit.”

“I talked to Sallie about what you’re proposing with Kay Havelin, and I have to admit, it’s some pretty compelling accusations. I hope you remember that I allowed it on one condition.”

“I know. No Eddleman. You don’t have to worry about him. I won’t bring him into it.”

The chief nodded. “I hope you understand why.”

“Of course. He’s not the reason I’m looking into her. Yes, I’d be lying if I said he didn’t point me in that direction, but I’ve seen enough evidence and coincidence that I can’t just ignore it.”

“Well,” said Riles, letting go of a sigh that seemed to take all the resistance out of him. “You certainly had Sallie convinced. And I have to admit that the whole case file thing was a little fishy when it came to the hammer evidence. There’s some kind of fuckery afoot.”

Reese laughed. “Ahh yes. That famous Sherlock Holmes quote.”

“Welcome back to the team,” Chief said. “Don’t fuck this up.”

“Thank you,” said Reese, letting out a sigh of relief. “I kind of thought you were going to say no.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about you over the past year, it’s that you’re a pain in the ass and you never give up.”

Reese frowned. “That’s two things.”

“No, in your case, it’s the same thing.”

“Well, let’s hope I rubbed off on Sallie. The surly bastard needs to pull through. I want him to be around when I solve these cases and get justice for these families.”

Riles gave him a somber look. “Are you sure you’re okay? You know, he might not make it, Reese?” 

“I know. I’m just glad we made friends again before then, and I hope that whoever did this to him is caught. And that they pay.”

Riles nodded. “Since you’re here, I’ll tell you something. As you know, the device was linked into your remote key.”

“Yeah,” said Reese with a nod. “I heard about that. That whoever programmed the detonator set it to trigger when I unlocked the door. I guess they figured I’d be a little bit closer to the blast.” 

He could still see Sallie getting into his truck. The idea of anything being out of the ordinary seemed impossible. It was just an ordinary day. And he pushed the button to unlock his car like he had a million times before then. Only this time, it triggered the explosion that might be the end of his friend.

“They told me that they will be following up on some leads. It seems they have been tracking the technology, as well as the components, to see who was in the market for it and where they might have gotten them. So hopefully, they’ll get to the bottom of it soon enough.”

“Thanks. They told me a little when they questioned me. But they aren’t as forthcoming as I’d like.”

“It’s understandable, Reese. I wouldn’t take any offense.”

“I don’t. It’s just weird being on this side of things for a change.”

“Yeah, I heard you had no idea who it could be. Has anything rung a bell?”

Reese shook his head. “No, but with all the cases I worked in Vice, and with the trouble I’ve had, they were looking into every option. The detectives are convinced that it has something to do with an old case.” 

Maybe someone Reese helped put away wanted to get their revenge. But he wasn’t sitting on his thumbs while he waited for them to be caught.

Riles cleared his throat. “It’s possible. Anything is after all the cases you’ve worked.”

Reese had thought of everything that had happened over the past few years and who it could be. Part of him even wondered if Kay Havelin had something to do with it. If she ever found out about him, who he was, and that he knew Eddleman and suspected her, she would want to eliminate him, for sure. Had that been her way of trying to stop him? Time would tell. Regardless, he was going to stay on her tail and find out what she was up to.

Riles leaned in a little closer, resting his elbows on his desk. “I need you to understand something, Reese. If any of this starts getting to you, I want you to promise me you’ll come to me. I won’t make you sit this one out, but I will insist that you take me up on that offer if you need it. And I’d like you to consider continuing your counseling.”

Reese had gone to enough counseling in his life to know he didn’t want to go to any more. “I will consider it, thanks. And I appreciate you allowing me to come back to work.”

“Where will you start?” asked Riles, as if it were a lot to handle.

But Reese had already given it a lot of thought. “Sallie and I had talked about getting a warrant for Havelin’s car. We wanted to look it over for evidence.”

“Yeah, he said as much, but that’s not going to be easy. You’ll have to find a judge who will agree that it’s worth the trouble. Someone who was a friend of Eddleman’s couldn’t hurt. Someone who might be sympathetic, if they exist.”

“I thought I wasn’t supposed to bring Eddleman into this.”

“You’re not, and don’t. But still, there has to be someone who will hear you out. Someone who Kay Havelin hadn’t convinced fully. That’s the one you want to go to. Let them make the assumptions and connections. They won’t like it if you bring it up.”

“Well, honestly, I was hoping you’d do that for me.” He gave Riles a sideward look. “Sallie had already offered to help, and with him out of the picture, I had hoped that you’d be able to put some authority behind the request, considering you have more pull than me. I promise I won’t ask for much.”

“Sounds like you already are,” said Riles, who looked uncertain about the situation. Finally, he let go of a sigh. “I’ll see what I can do. What are you going to look for? I’ll have to tell them something. They’ll want to know what’s going on.”

“Sallie and I believed that Heather Crawford was drugged in her killer’s car. If Kay picked her up, there’s a chance they struggled in the car. And since Heather had a couple of bruises on her hand that were thought to be defensive wounds, we wanted to see if there was any damage or evidence inside the car.”

“Once you take that car, she will know you’re looking into her. Are you prepared for what her reaction will be?”

“I know it will change things, but maybe that’s what needs to happen. If she knows she’s being investigated, maybe it will shake her up a bit. Maybe it will make her nervous.”

“Well, I hope you know that when you corner a rattlesnake, you leave it no choice but to strike. Don’t be surprised if she comes back spitting venom.”

“That’s what I’m hoping,” he said, wondering if Kay already had. “If you can get me that warrant, I’ll get to the bottom of it, I’m sure. And if I prove that she had anything to do with the murder of Lacey Davenport, we might just start a chain reaction.” All he could do was hope that it would shed some doubt on the Eddleman conviction. He didn’t have to drag Eddleman into it to help him.

“I hope you’re right.” Chief Riles eased back in his seat. “I’ll try to have it by the end of the day.”

Reese smiled. “The sooner, the better.” He was ready to get started and couldn’t wait to see the look on Kay Havelin’s face when they went to serve the warrant and impound her car. 

He only wished that Sallie was with him to see it too.