"Why don't I save you the trouble and go to the grocery store myself?I'll meet you around five thirty then.”
"If you don't mind, that’d be great.I’ll call if we’re going to be late.Otherwise, I’ll see you at five-thirty.”
Sean hung up the phone as Suki exited the ladies’ room and stopped in front of him."Are you sure you don't mind me staying one more night?"
"Not at all.I'd really like you to get to know Grace anyway."
"I like her already—I think she's good for you."
A wide grin spread across his face."So do I.Let's get back to work and catch this fucker so I can spend the rest of my vacation getting to know her a lot better."
Jessica Daly hung up the phone and smiled.Her source at the sheriff's department had come through, and she would out-scoop her competition again.By the time those gun-toting imbeciles caught this killer, she’d be in a prime position to demand another raise at the network.Maybe she’d even get the coveted anchor position on the six o’clock news she’d be working toward her whole career.
If she could get her hands on everything the detectives had, she’d probably be able to solve the case herself.She had great investigative instincts and a talent for getting people to talk.Over the past few years, her list of informants had grown to the point she could get information no matter what it was or who it involved.Most of her contacts were men—men who were so predictable.Show a little cleavage, and the floodgates that were their mouths opened up and poured forth.
Sitting at her desk in the newsroom, she glanced at the wall clock.It was just after three in the afternoon, which only gave her an hour or so before she had to be in front of the camera and tape her report in time for the 5:30 p.m.deadline.First things first, though—she called cameraman Marty Kendall and told him to get his gear ready and meet her at the news van at three-forty-five sharp.
“And don’t make me wait for you this time,” she barked before hanging up.Jessica hated people who were slackers on the job, and Marty was always late.Sometimes, she thought he did it on purpose, but soon, that wouldn’t matter—this serial killer was her ticket off the street and into the anchor chair.
She tried to decide where she wanted to film her brief—in front of the sheriff’s department, the medical examiner’s office, the last crime scene, or the bar where Daphne Jones disappeared from.Which would have the largest impact?With the information she’d just gained from her source, she opted for the ME’s office.Turning on her computer, she typed exactly what she wanted to say.This was going to be big, she told herself—bigger than big—it would be fuckinghuge.
At ten after four, they pulled into the parking lot of the municipal building that housed the Dare County medical examiner’s office.The weather was still warm and slightly overcast, but Jessica found this was the best lighting for her when filming outdoors.She thought she looked too pale on TV when it was bright and sunny out.She flipped down the passenger’s visor to fix her hair and makeup.
Marty parked the van, and as he started to hop out, she snapped, “Hurry and get everything set.I want this filmed and ready for the top of the six.”Having the lead story on the evening news was something all the street reporters fought over, and tonight, it would be a no-brainer with Jessica’s story.
Marty mumbled something she didn’t hear and, truthfully, didn’t care about.He may be slow and lazy, but when it came to actually filming, he was the best cameraman they had, and that was all that mattered to her.As long as she looked good on her newscasts, she could put up with all the other bullshit that came with him.
After adding the extra makeup needed for the camera, Jessica climbed out of the van and strode over to the front of the building, leaving Marty to haul over the camera and microphone.She looked at several different angles of the entrance before choosing to stand just to the left of the Dare County Medical Examiner sign.
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Marty taking his sweet time walking toward her.“Hurry up, will you?I want to make sure we get this right.”
Marty muttered “bitch” under his breath and refused to walk any faster.He hated working with Jessica, and the feeling was mutual, but he was the best cameraman they had, so she insisted that he be the one to film her.He’d tried to get rid of her by going to his boss to complain.His supervisor had told him that there was nothing he could do about it.He just had to suck it up.As long as he did his job, Jessica couldn’t care less about his opinion of her.
“Stand over there—I want this angle.”She pointed to where she wanted him to set up as he handed her the microphone with CH4 in large print on the side of it.Whether he liked her or not, she was a damn good reporter and knew how to choose the right places to film.He had already received two awards for excellence in filming thanks to her, not that he ever had shown her any gratitude.
Hoisting the camera to his shoulder, he made a few final adjustments and then gave Jessica the signal to start whenever she was ready.She straightened her back and shoulders, put her “serious reporter” face on, and held the microphone just below her chin.“This is Jessica Daly for the evening news, reporting to you from the Dare County Medical Examiner’s Office with a Channel Four exclusive.
“Investigations into the strangling deaths of three county women continue.At this time, local law enforcement has very few leads.Sources inside the Dare County Sheriff’s Department report…”
Chapter12
After speaking to Sean on the phone, Grace strolled down to the hardware store to see Dan.It was nothing new to step over a snoring Jinx as she entered the shop—the sunlit area was the dog’s favorite spot to sleep.All of the store’s regular customers knew to check the threshold before walking in to avoid tripping over the big lug.
The older Malone was still fighting his cold but, as always, was too stubborn to slow down.She was happy to hear he was feeling a little better and seemed to be getting his energy back.Jimmy, the college student who worked for him part-time, was picking up extra hours so Dan could at least go upstairs to his apartment for a nap before returning to close the shop at six.
Grace explained to him that she was joining Sean and Suki for dinner and asked to borrow the key to the beach house, so she could start making dinner if the other two were running late.Dan gave her a spare and told her to keep it.
“Are you sure, Dan?”
“You may not be blood-related, but you’re still family,” he replied with a grin.“Feel free to use the cottage anytime you want.”
She kissed him on his cheek, then laughed when he asked, “What was that for?”
“For considering me part of your family.It’s very sweet of you.”
Blushing, he waved his hand at her.“Well, it’s true.You’re the niece I never had.”
Grace made a spur-of-the-moment decision.“Can I ask you something, Dan?It’s personal, so you can tell me it’s none of my business if you want.”
