“She is rather unflappable,” Tate said easily.
They worked well together, and Jethro took in their easy rapport. He’d never had a partner. These two were relaxed and professional, and together they were very striking. He didn’t get the sense of anything more than a professional relationship, though. “I don’t mean to anger you, but I’m finished with this interview. If you discover who left the note, please inform me if I’m in any danger.” He pushed back his chair and stood.
Scott did the same.
Tate jumped to his feet, making the table wobble. “That’s it? We have a dead woman, one who certainly didn’t deserve to be disemboweled, and you won’t help? Did your brother kill her?”
“I have no knowledge that my brother is on US soil,” Jethro said honestly. Of course his brother had killed the woman. “So, I would tackle this case like any other. Who wanted the woman dead? Find out who had the motive and opportunity and go from there.” He strode toward the door and opened it for Scott to walk through first. “You’re good at your job. Ferret out who wanted her dead.”
Tate grabbed his arm in a strong grip. “Are you trying to tellus something?”
Jethro pivoted to face him directly, breaking his hold. “Yes. Do your job and you’ll find the killer.”
“Is your brother a serial killer?” Detective Buckle asked from behind Tate.
“No.” Jethro glanced to the side and watched the woman get to her feet. Her legs really did go on forever. “He is not Lassiter and he has no game to play. This woman was killed for a reason that has nothing to do with Fletcher or with me. Do your job and find out why she’s dead.” That was all he could give them. Hopefullyit was enough.
He followed Scott through the door, down the hallway, and outside into the night. The snow had stopped falling, the temperature had risen, and thick clouds rolled above. Streetlamps illuminated his SUV waiting by the curb as thunder rolled an ominous threat inthe distance.
“Want to get a drink and talk about this case?” Scott asked.
Jethro shook his head and kept walking. “Thank you for your assistance, but I don’t need a lawyer.”
“Too bad. I already have the retainer,” Scott said, loping easily by his side. “You told the detectives much more than you needed to in there. Want to explain why?”
Jethro pressed the fob button and his engine started. “I want them to find the killer of that woman. Why wouldn’t I?”
“Even if the killer is your brother?” Scott asked.
Jethro kept walking around the front of his SUV. “Especially if the killer is my brother,” he said, opening his door and jumping inside. There was no doubt Fletcher had justgotten started.
It was up to Jethro to hunt him down like the sociopathic animal he’d always been.
Again.
Chapter Eight
A light pop woke Gemma out of pleasant dreams. She sat up, her senses on full alert and her heart pounding. Holding her breath, she fumbled for the switch on the light next to the bed.
Nothing. Thepower was out.
Thunder crashed outside, and then lightning zapped the earth.
“Mama?” Trudy stumbled into the room, her blanket trailing behind her.
“Here, baby.” Gemma jumped from the bed and shut the bedroom door, quickly engaging the lock. Then she settled the little girl in the bed. “It’s just a storm. You goback to sleep.”
Trudy turned over, curled up, and mumbled something.
Gemma’s hands shook as she covered her daughter with the blankets up to her vulnerable neck. The power outage was just because of the storm. It had to be. She dug in the bed table for the flashlight she’d put there and quickly spun it around the room. Nothing. Okay. She looked at Serena’s heavy dresser, which was to the right of the door.
“You’re being ridiculous,” she muttered, even as she moved to the far edge of the dresser. She turned, scooted down, and used her butt and hips to slide the furniture in front of the door. If there was a fire, she could get Trudyout the window.
Lightning struck again,and she jumped.
Trudy didn’t so much as move. When her girl slept, she really slept.
What would that be like? It was too late for Gemma ever to relax completely like that, but she thanked God Trudy felt that safe. Gemma swallowed down the metallic taste in her mouth and then moved to the window, keeping the flashlight off so nobody could see inside. The world was dark outside and the rain ominous.
