Shit. What if we had a serial killer on the loose?
“I’m going to send this to our guy and see if it matches other parts of the case file,” Reed said, giving his phone a few more taps before setting it on the table. “It’s written on today’s paper.”
With just the tips of my fingers on the very edge of the paper, I flipped it over to read the article on the back of the ripped piece. The threat writer ripped the page right through an article, but it seemed to be the highlights of a local dog show happening this weekend.
“Do you think the killer is telling us to attend the dog show this weekend?” I asked Reed, pointing at the page.
He scanned the article quickly and shook his head. “No, I think whoever wrote us that note grabbed the first thing they could find. They probably don’t have it out for dogs.”
“Well, the front page is no help, either.” I flipped it to the front again. The photo was a large shot of the city’s comedy baseball team. The Savannah Bananas were returning to kick off another tour of funny baseball. I’d seen some of their TikToks and it looked hilarious, but we didn’t have time to attend a game while solving a murder. Plus, tickets were hella hard to get. There were lotteries and everything. I’d looked them up online during the traumatic plane ride here. “Our killer probably isn’t the baseball player on stilts.”
“Probably not,” he agreed.
“Hey,” I said as a thought from his earlier comment hit me. “How do you have access to the case file? I only have what Delaney sent with me.”
Reed tilted his head. “One guy on our team has a few backdoor entries for things like this.”
“Like a hacker?” What else were these military guys out here doing?
“Umm,” he considered his words. “Let’s call it digital hide and seek. And Spencer is very good at seeking.”
I had so many more questions, but something about the way Reed looked at me—like he was memorizing my entire face or waiting for another question and pre-thinking of a witty way to dodge it—had me holding my tongue.
“Also, new rule,” he said as he grabbed my spring jacket from off the back of the chair. “You’re in my line of sight at all times.”
I thought about arguing, but my gaze caught the edge of the newspaper, and I reread the note. “Okay.”
Having a hot guy at my back would not be the worst thing to ever happen to me. Not by far.
“Come on, we’re going for lunch,” he said, handing me the coat.
I guess I should have expected that when he took it off the chair. “We can still pick up, though. Right?” With only a few hours of sleep, I really didn’t want to put on restaurant appropriate pants. The black leggings I’d slipped into after brushing my teeth needed to get me through until we had to leave the rental later.
Reed eyed my pants as if he had an inside view of the argument happening in my head. “You look fine, but sure.”
We walked to the Pirate House, which was right beside us. My phone rang as he opened the door to walk inside. I paused to answer it.
“By my side,” he said.
I held the phone up. “It’s Delaney. I’ll stand right here. You can see me through the door.”
He pointed at the ground. “Do not move from this spot.”
“Promise.” The note hadn’t given any threats of kidnapping, but I wasn’t taking my chances. “Not even for a puppy.”
The phone rang a third time as Reed stared at me. “I do not know what that means, but tell Delaney I have it covered here.”
“Got it.” He walked inside, and I answered the call from my best friend. “Hey, girl. I would have called, but Reed said you two talked.”
She scoffed so loudly I had to move the phone from my ear. “I’m calling you off the record, as a friend, so I can call you a dumbass without getting written up for it.”
“Me?” I glanced through the doors and watched Reed talk to the woman behind the reservation stand. She handed him a menu. “What did I do?”
“It’s not your job to be solving this case. You’re there to get the vibe and set a story mood.”
I stomped my foot and immediately looked at Reed. Good, he didn’t see. “Delaney, I don’t know what any of that means. You didn’t give me any instructions. Also, how is your dad doing?”
“He’s fine although I’m so sick of eating cafeteria food. But don’t bring my father into this. He will not save you. I want you to stop being so reckless. Stop finding dead bodies lying around.”
