A Breath Away by Herron Rita

Author:Herron, Rita [Herron, Rita]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Suspense
ISBN: 9780373770304
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-10-30T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

GRADY STARED AT Bernie Morris's proffered hand, sizing him up. Morris had longish brown hair, a patrician nose, expensive clothes and an uppity air about him. Some women might find his face attractive. But Morris's frame seemed wiry to Grady, his green eyes suspicious. Grady immediately disliked the weasel and didn't trust him.

He also noticed several scars on the man's arms that looked questionable. An accident, maybe? Something seemed suspicious about the nicks and cuts, as if they might have been self-inflicted. He'd guess a suicide attempt. But slicers usually chose the wrist area and made a longer gash instead of small puncture wounds up and down their forearms. Unless these had been tentative attempts, and he'd been working up his nerve to kill himself. He looked like a coward.

"Sheriff Monroe, Bernie Morris."

Grady frowned and refused his handshake. "I heard your name was Donald Irving."

Morris glanced toward Violet, and every cell in Grady's body sprang to alert. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm an investigative reporter."

"And why would that bring you to Crow's Landing?" His gaze latched on to Morris's. He took some pride in seeing the man squirm.

"I'm following the serial killer story."

"The serial killer didn't strike here."

"Not yet."

Grady froze. "What does that mean?"

Morris shrugged. "Nashville's not that far away. He might be hiding here now, choosing his next victim."

"That's true." Grady altered his voice to a menacing pitch and gave the man a pointed stare. "Gives us reason to be suspicious of any newcomers."

Morris's eye twitched at his insinuation. "Don't be ridiculous."

Grady crossed his arms. "You're the stranger in town. Why shouldn't we suspect you?"

Morris's eyes bulged. "Because I write about crimes. I don't commit them."

Grady's patience snapped. "Or maybe you commit murder, then write about it to glorify yourself and get attention."

Morris coughed, his face turning ruddy. "That's ridiculous."

"Listen, buddy," Grady said, "if you have information about those murders, you need to turn it over to me."

"When I have proof, I will. In fact, I suspect Violet Baker knows something about them."

"What makes you say that?"

"She was in Savannah when the first woman died. She was also here twenty years ago when your sister was murdered."

Grady twisted Morris by the tie. "What do you know about my sister's death?"

Morris's eyes shifted sideways. "That Violet Baker isn't who she says she is." His gaze flickered with accusations. "In fact, I doubt even she knows the truth. And if my guess is right, neither did your sister."

"What the hell do you mean by that?"

"You're the detective, you figure it out." Morris jerked away and strode toward the door. Grady stared at his back, his mind spinning.

*

VIOLET'S FINGERS WORRIED the Best Friends necklace. Whether or not the reporter's name was Morris or Irving, she still didn't like him. Seconds later, the images in the room blurred. A slow numbness crept over her. The lights in the diner became fuzzy. Her head swam.

She lowered her head into her hands and closed her eyes in an attempt to regain her equilibrium. The air was trapped in her lungs.

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