On a Killer's Trail Read Free Page B

search, and start questioning the neighbors.”
    “Right,” said Neil. “But we’ll need more men. And metal detectors.”

TWO
    K ate unwrapped her sandwich as she faced Neil across a small table in the deli. Now, on her first opportunity in months to study him up close, she gave the detective mixed marks. He was still handsome, all right. Dark, wavy hair and chocolate-brown eyes, the hint of a dimple on his firm jaw. But his attractive appearance wasn’t all good in her book. She wanted—needed—a professional relationship with her sources in the police department. She didn’t want to be distracted by his good looks or her own stray thoughts of what had happened between them last summer. She shut down that train of thought in a hurry. This was her big story. Period.
    “So, Connor is requisitioning more uniformed officers for the investigation?”
    “Right,” Neil said. “He and I were the only two detectives available this morning. Christmas is putting a cramp in our usual style of investigating a homicide. We’ll be using patrolmen to help us canvass the neighborhood and take statements. Someone may have seen something this morning that will help us.”
    Kate nodded. Neil was acting professional, and so could she. Still, it would have been much easier if Connor had given her the information she needed himself. “I really appreciate this, Neil. I’m at the bottom of the journalistic ladder, and this story could mean a big boost to my career. But I’ve never covered a criminal case before, so treat me like the most ignorant person you’ve ever seen. No detail is too obvious for me.”
    He laughed nervously, and she took a bite of her sandwich, deliberately not looking at him.
    “Well, I’m happy I can help,” he said. “You have to understand that I can’t tell you everything about the investigation, just—”
    “Oh, I understand perfectly. I’m The Press, and you have to go by the book as to what access you give me.”
    An awkward silence settled between them as they dug in to their sandwiches and chips.
    “Look, this is kind of weird. If you’d rather not—”
    “Kate, I’m sorry.”
    She stared at him.
    Neil clamped his lips together, his cheeks flushed and his eyes forlorn. After a long moment of silence, he said quietly, “I mean it. I didn’t treat you very well. Actually, I treated you horribly. I…I’m sorry.” He blinked and crumpled up his napkin. “I’ve wanted to say that to you for a long time, but I figured you didn’t want to hear from me, so I didn’t try to contact you.”
    Kate reached for her glass of water and took a sip, easing it past the hot lump in her throat. She still didn’t trust her voice.
    Neil eyed her bleakly. “Connor and Adrienne didn’t even tell me you’d moved to Portland.”
    She nodded. “I asked them not to.”
    His lips twitched. He leaned back in his chair and toyed with the napkin. At last he looked up at her. His brown eyes reflected the hurt she still felt.
    “You haven’t been coming to their church.” It was little more than a whisper, but it struck home.
    Kate bowed her head. “They told me you’ve been going with them, and I didn’t want you to feel you had to stay away.” He started to speak, but she held up one hand. “My apartment is on the other side of town, near the university. I’ve found a church over there. It’s all right. Really.”
    He shook his head, frowning. “That doesn’t seem right.”
    She inhaled carefully, choosing her words. “I know you’re close to Connor. I don’t want to interfere with your friendship. I’ve only been in town four weeks, and I’ve been really busy.” She’d known that sooner or later she’d have to face Neil, but themove and her challenging new job had occupied her. Somehow she’d managed to avoid thinking about this moment.
    “Okay,” he said at last. “We can work together if we have to. I promise I won’t get out of line.”
    She couldn’t meet his gaze then. Hot