Fatal Beauty (Sky Stryker Series Book 3) by Mary Stone

Author:Mary Stone [Stone, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mary Stone Publishing
Published: 2024-07-19T00:00:00+00:00

20

Sky hesitated as she reached the steps of the New Pleasant Police Department. Part of her was desperate to know what evidence had been discovered, to learn what might be revealed about Tessa’s murder case. The other half of her knew that no matter what had been found, it would dredge up emotions she’d been struggling to keep in check.

Callie came up behind Sky and placed a hand on her shoulder, giving a quick squeeze of solidarity.

That was enough to steel Sky’s courage. With a heavy breath, she climbed the steps and opened the door.

Detective Jeremy Brice met her at the front desk. “Ms. Stryker.”

“Hey, Jeremy. I’m sorry about this morning at the river.” Sky wished she could rewind the entire day. “I didn’t mean to be so rude. This documentary has me all out of sorts, you know?”

He smiled. “Don’t worry about it.”

Callie offered him her hand to shake. “Aren’t you a little young to have made detective?”

Jeremy’s high cheeks flushed red as he took her hand. “Just earned it, ma’am.” He glanced toward the duty sergeant manning the front desk.

“Well, color me impressed. You must’ve worked your ass off to earn that rank so quickly. I like the idea of having a sharp mind and dedicated individual working this case.” Callie nudged Sky’s arm, her hazel eyes twinkling. “Right?”

Sky forced a smile and nodded. High school seemed so long ago. She’d never really hung out with Jeremy back then. He’d had an obvious crush on Tessa when they were fourteen. Other than that, all she knew of him was that he’d come from a long line of men in uniform.

Maybe that attested to his ability as a cop…or was the reason behind his fast promotion. After all, his father had been the one to head up the initial investigation into Tessa’s murder.

And Sky didn’t want to even think about how much Jeremy knew about her parents’ arrest and incarceration.

Embarrassment snaked its way through her veins. She was, technically, the daughter of two convicted criminals…and Jeremy must have long ago formed his own judgments about that fact. About her.

We fell from different trees, to say the least.

Jeremy made a sweeping gesture. “Would you two come with me, please?” He led them toward his desk, winding his way through the crowded station, past other officers and detectives.

The last time Sky had been here was just after Tessa’s death. She’d long since left the small town for a new life, first in Albany, then Hell’s Kitchen. But as she walked the linoleum floor and scanned the sea of faces, the officers shooting her judgy looks brought her back to being fourteen and scared again. Some of the old-timers no doubt remembered her as a sideshow circus freak.

She could feel their hostility building, as if all the men and women she passed were blaming her for bringing drama back to their quiet town.

If Callie picked up on any of those vibes, it didn’t show. She walked with her head high, drawn up to her full five-five stature.

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