Trust Me (Last Stand #1)(35)
Author: Brenda Novak

“And you wonder why I hate your job,” she grumbled under her breath.

He knew he hadn’t managed to bury his irritation as deeply as he’d intended when he heard the impatience in his voice. “That doesn’t mean I’m willing to let you choose my occupation.”

Her mouth opened, but he answered his phone before she could respond. “Willis here.”

“Detective, this is Sergeant Burns.”

“Yes?”

“I just ran across a note that says we’re supposed to notify you immediately if anything comes in on Skye Kellerman or The Last Stand.”

David straightened in his seat. “That’s true.”

“Ms. Kellerman is looking for you. I thought you might like to know.”

“Did she sound upset?”

“No.”

The waitress came with Lynnette’s pasta and his steak sandwich as he brought the call to a close.

“Okay, I’ll take care of it.” When he hung up, he could tell from the expression on Lynnette’s face that he’d had the volume turned up too high. Although he’d held the phone pressed tight to his ear, she’d overheard Officer Burns relay his message.

“Is that who called you a minute ago?” she asked. “Skye Kellerman?”

Lynnette didn’t know how he felt about Skye, but she suspected something was going on. She still asked about Skye periodically, even though it had been three years since the investigation. She’s pretty, don’t you think?…So how’s that woman who was attacked by the dentist? Do you ever talk to her?…I saw there was another article about The Last Stand in the paper today….

“Her case is heating up again.” He took a bite of his sandwich, but Lynnette didn’t start on her meal.

“How could it be heating up again, David? The trial’s been over for three years.” Her voice dropped. “Unless there’s something I don’t know about.”

Ignoring the not-so-subtle inflection in her voice, he swallowed his food. “Burke’s getting out of prison tomorrow. If Skye can help me tie him to those murders near the American River, it might save other women’s lives. There’s also a good chance he could come after her again. She testified against him, as you know.”

Lynnette folded her arms. “If the situation was that dire, why didn’t you take her call?”

“He’s not out yet.”

“But I’ll bet you would’ve been more than happy to hear from her if I wasn’t here.” Laughing bitterly, she picked up her purse.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“I’m not hungry anymore.”

David watched her walk out on him. Then he pushed a thumb and finger against his closed eyelids. What was he going to do with his personal life? He couldn’t get too angry with Lynnette. She was only reacting to the knowledge that he didn’t feel what she wanted him to feel. And she still hadn’t fully adjusted to the disease that was affecting her central nervous system.

“Is your lady friend coming back?” the waitress asked.

Lowering his hand, he managed a smile. “No, you can box up her meal, if you don’t mind.”

“No problem.” Her own smile was a bit too bright for mere courtesy. He recognized the romantic interest. But he didn’t return it. No one could tempt him away from Lynnette and Jeremy.

Except Skye.

After finishing his own meal, he responded to the message Sergeant Burns said Skye had left at the station.

“We have a problem,” Skye said as soon as David had her on the line.

They had more than one. Not the least of which was the fact that he was looking forward to taking her to the fund-raiser on Saturday, despite what had just happened with Lynnette. That might even be why their lunch had gone so badly.

“You’ve received another threatening call?”

“No.”

“Good.” David accepted his change and the receipt for his meal from the waitress and gathered the take-out boxes. “What then?”

“Jane Burke.”

“How is she a problem?”

“She’s having an affair with Oliver’s brother.”

David froze halfway to the door, torn between two responses: shock and dismay over the affair, and the realization that this information probably shouldn’t be coming from Skye.

Concern over Skye’s involvement won out. “And how would you know something so personal about Jane Burke?”

“I saw them together.”

“Where?”

She didn’t answer right away.

“I just asked you a question, Skye.”

“Don’t freak out, but…”

“But?”

“It was through the window. Last night.”

“What window?”

“Jane’s window.”

“You were surveilling Jane’s house?” He shook his head. This was the woman who kept him from reconciling with Lynnette? How could he let himself get any more involved with her? She didn’t even know when to avoid a dangerous situation, one that risked her own safety and that of anyone associated with her—which could include his son. “Did anyone recognize you?”

“I don’t think so.”

“You don’t sound too sure.”

“Jane and her brother-in-law saw my car.”

People in the nearest booth were staring at him, so David walked outside but stood under the eaves because it had begun to rain. “When you say they saw your car… You didn’t do anything to draw attention to yourself, did you? Your Volvo was just one car among many,” he said.

No response.

“Please tell me I’m right, Skye. We don’t need this to get back to the psychopath who’ll be living there in a few days.”

“There weren’t a lot of other cars on the street last night. My Volvo might’ve stood out a little. But it was so late I expected Jane and everyone else to be asleep.” Her voice fell. “I just wanted to get a glimpse of the place, check out the situation.”

“But Jane wasn’t asleep.”

“No.”

“Great,” he said with a sigh, too preoccupied to cross the puddle-filled lot.

“It’s okay. Once they saw each other, Jane and Noah weren’t interested in anyone else.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Maybe I should start by reiterating that I believe Burke murdered three women.”

“I haven’t forgotten.”