“Not as well as I’d hoped.” He gathered two stemmed glasses. “If I hadn’t made an appearance, I’m quite certain the funding for many important programs would have been slashed.”
Edward donated much of his time and his money to see that all of Huntsville’s children had access to books. “I’m glad you went.”
She poured the wine. “To the library.” She lifted her glass. “And the man who gave me the opportunity of books and so much more.” It pained her to see that small wound on his forehead. Reminded her of what he’d risked for her.
He touched her glass gently with his own, his face a study in perplexity. “Does this mean you’re thinking of returning to Baltimore soon?”
She nodded. The decision had only just solidified. “Yes. I need to ensure that someone takes over the clinics here, but yes. I’m going back as soon as possible.” She met his eyes, hoping her determination showed in her own. “I don’t want to miss a minute of my future. The one you helped me attain.”
The relief that showed in his face, his posture, made her heart hurt. She’d put him through the wringer. He knew what was best for her and she’d skated very close to letting him down.
A wave of exhaustion washed over CJ. She was spent. It was all catching up to her now. Somehow tonight had felt like the final hurdle. All that was left to do now, beyond ensuring that the clinics were covered, was to bury her sister at Maple Hill Cemetery. As girls, they’d often played there. It was a lovely, historic cemetery. Shelley would be pleased.
Braddock had promised to take care of the investigation. She trusted him to do that. He wouldn’t let her down.
She gave Edward another hug and headed upstairs. Maybe a long bath and then a good night’s sleep. She didn’t really expect to hear from Braddock. He had his hands full with this investigation. She would talk to him tomorrow.
Maybe they would get through one night without a murder.
Chapter Fifty-Five
Dallas Mill District, 11:42 p.m.
“No, man,” Joe Henagar said, “I didn’t touch nothing.”
Braddock knew better than that shit. The guy had probably gone through the SUV looking for money or anything he might be able to pawn.
“You just happened to walk through the area and see the vehicle sitting here?”
“Yeah.” The guy nodded over and over. Had the shakes. Bad teeth. Stringy hair.
Meth addict.
“I saw it sitting here and I thought, what the hell is a slick car like that doing sitting here? I wandered over.” He shrugged. “Took a look through the window and saw the big guy with his throat slashed.” He shuddered. “I run all the way back over to my cousin’s and called y’all.”
Yeah, right. “See that uniform right there?” Braddock pointed to the cop guarding the perimeter. “You give him your statement. Don’t go anywhere until he’s taken your statement. He’ll need a statement from your cousin as well.”
“Don’t worry, man. I ain’t going nowhere till y’all say so. This is some shit. I ain’t never seen no one murdered before.”
Braddock rested his attention on the vehicle once more. Tyrone Nash’s vehicle. A member of his unholy trinity behind the wheel with a permanent grin beneath his chin. He and Cooper had gotten here maybe five minutes ago. Jenkins had arrived a couple of minutes later. Officer Larry Metcalf and his partner were watching Abbott’s house. Metcalf was the best of the best on HPD’s beat force. Braddock had known when he got the call with Nash’s license plate number that he was going to need both Cooper and Jenkins on the scene.
“Braddock!”
He turned to the warehouse. It was condemned. Part of the property had burned a few years ago. But that didn’t keep the homeless and kids from prowling around in it. Cooper and Jenkins had gone in to start the search inside while he’d gotten the sketchy guy’s story. “Yeah.”
“You’re gonna want to come in here,” Cooper shouted at him.
Jesus Christ. Just what they needed. Another damned body. He didn’t need a crystal ball to know who it would be.
Dammit all to hell.
He crossed the crumbling pavement. Weeds had grown up through the cracks. The city should have torn this damned thing down ages ago. Cooper waited for him at the door. He asked, “We got another body?”
She shook her head. “Three more.”
Son of a bitch.
“Is Nash one of them?”
