New Year's Slay by Harper Lin

Author:Harper Lin [Lin, Harper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harper Lin Books

Chapter 8

By the time we drove back into Hartfield, the sun had already set behind us. Sterling got a last minute call. His partner was asking for help on a separate drug case so we decided to part ways until tomorrow.

When Sterling dropped me off in front of the house, he walked me to the door despite my protests.

“Were you disappointed that it wasn’t the dairy farmer?” Sterling asked.

“I thought it could be,” I said.

“At least we’re another step closer. Another one off my list.”

“I just want this case shut already.”

“It must mean that you’re eager to get Nick out of the house,” Sterling said. “Once we catch the murderer, he’s free to go. Then I’ll have you to myself.”

Sterling came closer, wanting to kiss me. I did want to kiss him—his scent was intoxicating—but given that Nick was inside, it didn’t seem like a respectful thing to do. I quickly pecked him on the cheek.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said. Before I could push open the door, I paused and turned around. “Do you really think it could be matricide?”

“I’ve seen some weird stuff in my career,” Sterling said. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

“Get some rest,” I said.

“Sure. I’ll call this mayor’s wife in the morning. Come by around ten.”

“Sure.”

When I entered the house, Nick was walking down the stairs.

“How was your day?” he asked. By the look on his face, I could tell that he had seen Sterling walking me to the door from the top window.

“Fine.” I felt guilty, like I was going behind his back.

But I reminded myself that I didn’t owe Nick, or Sterling for that matter, anything. I was the one doing Nick a favor by letting him stay at my parents’ place while the investigation was under way.

I told him what had happened at the dairy farm and what Edward had said about Martha’s son.

“So you think Cal might be the killer?” he said.

“I don’t know. But he did seem highly emotional when he saw her body. Maybe it was an act.”

“I met Cal once,” Nick said. “He joined us for dinner on Christmas Eve. I had just gotten into town and was starving, so when Martha offered some food, I figured I’d eat with them before I set off to see you that evening. Cal was there, but he didn’t know who I was. I just said that I was visiting from the states and here to see some friends later that evening.”

“How did they behave toward each other?” I asked.

“Martha babied him. Told him to eat this and that, and he groaned when she did that. She even put food on his plate when she thought he wasn’t eating enough of a certain dish. He was embarrassed about that, but not angry. We chatted a bit about soccer. He seemed pleasant enough. But he did get agitated a few times throughout the course of the meal when Martha put him down.”

“What kind of things would she say?” I asked.

“She’d criticize his hair, his clothes, and his posture, things like that.

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