Sandy's Story (Ditch Lane Diaries Book 3) Read Free Page A

You file paperwork that’s never followed up on, or worse, it disappears. You couldhelp me.”
    Bob shook his head, and his shoulders slumped. “I’m doing my best. But I have to keep my job. I have alimony and child support.” He walked away.
    Sandy clicked on her camera light and began reporting. Thirty minutes later she pulled into the station.
    Art was on her heels when she walked into the back door. “You’re late. A murder came in about twenty minutes ago. I need you at Edgehill with Duncan.”
    Sandy pulled the Beta tape from her camera bag. “Got it. I have a lead on the shooter. I need to get to Nick’s house before the police, and I have to get into his business. This murder could be what I’ve needed to nail our friend, Mr. Steele.”
    Art’s eyes widened, and rubbed the top of his bald head. “Well, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out. Go! Give me the tape. Do you need Duncan?”
    “Ah, no. My camera, my story, my angles. I’m not waiting for Duncan. Besides, I think Cole may have gotten to him.” Sandy went silent as Duncan walked up. She’d saved money to buy her camera so she wouldn’t have to fight for creative control at the station. Art approved her use of personal equipment since it passed all the codes.
    “Are you deliberately trying to put me out of a job?” Duncan frowned at Sandy while he placed his hands on his hips.
    Sandy took a deep breath and pushed by Duncan. “I wouldn’t have this story if I waited on you. Art needs to key it up. You can handle the graphics. Can’t you, Duncan?”
    Duncan thinned his lips over his teeth. “You’re a pain in the ass.”
    Sandy laughed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
    Sandy sat down at her desk, pulled out the phone book, and looked up Nick London’s home address. She tossed a glance over her shoulder and huffed. “Jesus, Duncan, do I have to do everything around here?” Duncan stormed off to the control room.
    Sandy scribbled down Nick’s Green Hills address, roughly five miles from the station, then replenished her camera bag with extra Beta tapes and battery backups. She hit the ladies’ room and took care of business. Just before sprinting out the back door, Sandy grabbed a Channel 3 News winter coat.
    A thin layer of ice had formed on her Corvette’s windshield. She fired up the defrost and made a mental checklist of things she needed from Nick’s house and business to solidify her story.
    Baldric sudden and unexpected appearances didn’t startle her any longer. She said, “I didn’t sense you at the scene.”
    He said, “I’m sorry I didn’t stay with you this morning, but I followed the shooter.”
    Sandy drove the slick backroads to Nick’s house and began to slide toward an embankment. Taking her foot off the gas, Sandy steered slowly toward the middle of the road. Thankfully, there was little traffic this morning due to the inclement weather. Her car finally came to a stop. “Good grief. I hate ice.” She took a few deep breaths as she slowly accelerated. Sandy loved her Corvette, but she needed a more efficient ride, especially in the winter.
    “Nice driving, kid. Oh, I arrived on the scene just before you did. Hammer was all over poor Nick. Cole’s team has staked out both Nick’s house and Henry’s.” Chip Hammond, or more affectionately known in Nashville’s underbelly as “The Hammer,” was ruthless, and Cole’s connections had kept him out of jail numerous times.
    Sandy gripped the steering wheel and briefly glanced at Baldric. “Day-yum. Have I told you lately how much I love you? What else did you find out?”
    Baldric said, “I spoke to Gabriel’s angel, Alyen before he took Nick’s soul. Nick left a folder with a key to a lockbox at City Bank, and the box holds Luc’s Testament. Nick lifted it while he was meeting with Steele last week.”
    Baldric turned in the seat to face Sandy. “If it’s Luc’s Testament, you have to be careful. Luc’s manifesto includes a