AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Even as a kid, he hadn’t been immune to the details of the horrific crimes. It had been impossible to avoid hearing about them.
Garrett picked up a book on the side of his desk and handed it to the sheriff. “Here. Her latest. A best seller, just like all her others. Her picture’s on the back.” He flipped it over.
The moment John handed him the book Cole realized why she seemed so familiar. Even he had seen her picture on the books in stores.
“Damn good-looking woman, despite everything,” Garrett went on. “Maybe you can romance her out of this pickle.”
Cole stared at the picture. The editor was right. Dana Moretti, even in a photograph, had a latent sexuality that made him want to find out just how deep it went. Except for the eyes. He’d never seen such cold eyes in a woman.
He handed the book back. “I think that falls outside the demands of my job, John. But I’ll have a talk with her about this. Maybe convince her what a bad idea this is.”
Garrett shook his head. “No, let’s just see if the gruesome details chase her away first. Maybe she’ll decide she can’t hack it after all.”
Cole pushed his chair back. “If not, I’ll think of something. I’m sure not anxious to have the county down on my head about her.”
****
Barely able to tolerate the thought of food after her morning’s reading material, Dana instead looked for the real estate office that had registered on her consciousness the day before. One night at the High Ridge Motel was one night too many. When research kept her in the same place for several months, she’d learned to search out the availability of short-term rentals.
Jane Milburn, the disgustingly perky real estate agent, was only too excited to sign a lease with famous best-selling true crime author Dana Moretti.
“The owner won’t take less than six months, though,” she apologized, pushing the contract across the tiny desk in the tinier office. “Will that be all right? You didn’t say how long you plan to stay.”
“I really don’t know yet, but the six months is no problem even if I leave early.” Dana signed both copies of the lease.
“The house is completely furnished with linens, dishes, and cooking utensils,” Jane said in her best sales voice. “You’ll need to stop by the municipal building to change the utilities to your name and have a phone line activated.”
“Thanks. I won’t need the phone. I can use my cell. But I’ll take care of the others.” She was anxious to get moving and see where she’d be living for a while.
“Are you here to work on another book?” Jane’s eyes sparkled with avid curiosity.
“Yes, I am.” Dana folded her copy of the lease and stuck it in her purse with the keys. In a voice as level as she could make it, she added, “I’m looking into the child abductions and murders that happened here some years ago.”
The agent’s face closed up as if a shutter had lowered. All the friendly sparkle disappeared. “I’m sorry to hear that. It was a terrible time for High Ridge, and I know people won’t like having it dug up all over again.”
“I understand the man was never caught.” She watched Jane’s reaction carefully.
“That’s because it was some drifter or day laborer.” Jane’s tone was clipped and icy. “A person who hung around for a while and then moved on.”
Dana raised an eyebrow. “Hung aroundfor two years? Seems like someone would have noticed him during that time.”
“Well, they didn’t and now he’s gone.” She studied Dana with cold eyes. All the perkiness had disappeared. “Maybe you won’t need that house after all. I’d be happy to tear up the contract.”
“I think I’ll take my chances.” Dana’s tone matched hers.
“Listen, Miss Moretti. I was just a little girl when everything happened, but I know what a terrible, terrible time it was for High Ridge. Everyone’s tried to put it behind them.” Jane slammed the desk drawer shut with a bang. “Don’t expect anyone to talk to you about it.”
Dana pasted on her best professional smile. “I usually have pretty good luck getting people to open up to me. Maybe I will this time, too.”
The real estate agent swept the contract into a folder, a signal the discussion was over.
“I think we’re done here.” Her voice couldn’t have been colder if it was chipped from a freezer. She looked pointedly at her watch. “You should probably get moving if you want to take care of the utilities today.”
“Thank you for everything.” Dana rose from her chair. “I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around.”
“Don’t count on it.” By now, the professional polish was completely gone.
As she was unlocking her car, she noticed a black pickup cruising past her and a thread of memory dangled in her brain. Hadn’t she seen it someplace earlier? Like this morning? A shiver of unease skittered over her spine as she cranked up the engine on her little rented compact.
