High School Reunion. Mallory Kane
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three snapshots are the only ones I had that caught Wendell in them. And none of them show the CeeGee’s face. I was hoping Misty had a shot that revealed more.”
Cade’s gaze sharpened. “You’re thinking Misty’s attacker was after her photos.”
Laurel steeled herself against Cade’s possible ridicule. “Yes. I think the owner of that hand was planning a bigger humiliation for Wendell than a rude sign on his back.” She tapped the photo with her fingernail. “A CeeGee would never go near a geek like Wendell. I’m afraid Wendell didn’t commit suicide. I think when we find out whose hand that is, we’ll find Wendell’s murderer.”
LAUREL’S WORDS stunned Cade. He was still chewing on her theory that Wendell Vance might have been murdered when they got to Three Springs Hospital. He understood what Laurel was getting at, but it was a damn big stretch to go from a flirtation captured by a photo to homicide.
Misty Waller was in an emergency room cubicle. Her pretty, round face was almost as pale as the bandage on her head. The skin around her closed eyes was a faint purple. She was going to end up with a couple of shiners.
“I’m so sorry,” Laurel said, squeezing Misty’s hand. “This is my fault.”
Cade leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Laurel had asked him to let her talk to Misty first. He didn’t like it, but he couldn’t think of a good reason to say no. Misty might tell her more than she’d tell him.
“Don’t be silly. You couldn’t know someone would break into my—” Misty’s voice cracked and she lifted a trembling hand to touch the bandage on her head. She turned her pale blue eyes toward Cade. “I can’t stay here, Cade. Make them let me go home. My cat—my house—”
Cade caught Laurel’s eye. Misty’s voice was too high. She was on the verge of hysteria.
“We’ll get you home just as soon as the doctors tell us we can,” Laurel said, patting Misty’s arm. “But right now, I need to know what happened. Everything you can remember.”
Misty closed her eyes and licked her lips. “I don’t remember anything. Can you call the doctor now? I have to get home.”
“He’ll be here in a few minutes,” Laurel said gently. “Did the nurse give you something?”
Without opening her eyes, Misty nodded. “She said it would calm me down but it’s not working.”
Laurel met Cade’s gaze. “It will. Just give it time. You had a shock. What you were doing this afternoon?”
“While I waited to hear from you, I finished transcribing a stack of depositions for the law firm I work for. Then I turned up the sound on the TV and watched the latest episode of Secret Lives.”
Cade stepped closer. “You turned up the sound? When did you turn it back down?”
Misty frowned up at him. “I didn’t. At least I don’t think I did.”
If Misty hadn’t turned the sound down, that explained why she didn’t hear the attacker. But why was the sound off when Laurel got there? He made a brief note to double-check the prints on the TV.
“So watching Secret Lives is the last thing you remember? What about your high-school pictures? Did you find them?” Laurel asked.
“Yes.” Misty smiled wanly. “I was looking at them this morning. I can’t believe what we looked like. Oh, jiminy, Laurel. We were so skinny.”
Laurel laughed softly. “And we were always dieting. And then running out at midnight for ice cream.”
Misty nodded and winced.
Enough reminiscing. Cade stepped forward, but Laurel held up a hand.
He clenched his jaw. Did she think he was going to sit back and let her run this case? She might be an FBI agent, but she couldn’t do anything unless he officially asked for the Bureau’s help.
His granddad had been chief of police in Dusty Springs before his dad. And although everyone had expected Cade’s brother James to take over the job, now it was his. He was the law in town and he knew how to handle a crime. He didn’t need a big-city FBI agent to do his job for him.
The two women laughed. One laugh was high and tinkly, like broken glass. The other, Laurel’s, was low, throaty, sexy. A thrill of pure lust streaked through him, surprising him.
Down boy. This wasn’t the time or the place. He shifted his weight and tried to keep his expression neutral. Even if it had been a long time since he’d been so strongly and immediately attracted to a woman.
He concentrated on Misty. At least Laurel had managed to calm her down.
That was her intent, he realized suddenly. Still—two minutes. No more. Then he was going to step in and ask the important questions.
“Did you find any pictures from graduation night?” Laurel asked.
“I found some in one of the photo boxes. I haven’t had a chance to look at them, though.”
“Where’s the box?”
“I put it back.”
Laurel smiled. “That’s right. You always put everything back. I never did. Misty, remember when I called the other day and you told me you were in a meeting?”
Cade’s irritation fizzled and his opinion of her skills raised a notch. She’d gone from caring friend to FBI agent inside of a minute, and he’d barely noticed the transition. He was certain Misty hadn’t.
“Sure.” Misty’s drooping eyes opened. “A Reunion Committee Meeting at my house.”
“Who all was there?” Cade broke in. He knew who was on the committee, but not who had attended that meeting.
Misty squinted at him. “Kathy of course. And her minions.” She cut her eyes over to Laurel, who laughed softly.
“Debra and Mary Sue. And Sheryl,” Laurel supplied.
“Not Sheryl. I haven’t seen her in years.”
“Who else?” Cade asked.
She closed her eyes again. “Ann Noble. And Ralph Langston. He’s funding the whole shebang.”
The curtain around the emergency room cubicle fluttered and a nurse stuck her head in. “Ms. Waller, Dr. Cook wants a CT scan of your head, just to be sure you’re okay.” She stepped over to the gurney and patted one of the pillows. “And he wants you to stay overnight, so we can watch you.”
Misty’s calm evaporated and her eyes grew wide and panicky. “No, I can’t stay here. Please. Where’s the doctor—”
“I’ll stay with you,” Laurel said. “Don’t worry.”
“The technician will be here in a few minutes to take you to the lab,” the nurse said, then left.
“Oh, Laurel, thank you. But I’m more worried about Harriet. She’ll be so scared in that house alone.”
“Harriet?”
“Harriet Potter. My kitten. She was Harry until I realized she was a girl.”
“Don’t worry,” Laurel said. “I’ll take care of her.” As she leaned over and kissed Misty on the forehead, Cade’s gaze zeroed in on her curvy backside. Her jacket rode up and he saw the tip of the leather paddle holster at the small of her back.
Something went haywire inside him at the sight of her weapon. He suddenly had to hold his breath and avert his gaze. He shifted his stance to try and hide an embarrassing truth. The sight of Laurel’s Glock holstered at the small of her back was a huge turn-on. Which surprised the hell out of him. He’d never thought of a woman with a gun as sexy before. In fact, he’d always thought those women-in-black-kicking-butt TV shows were a little silly. Maybe he’d