Heather Graham - The Cursed

Katie stared at Hannah. “You two have telepathy now?”

“No,” Hannah said with a dry smile. “She probably heard about what happened.”

She picked up the phone, and Kelsey started off by asking her how she was. Hannah lied and said she was fine. “But I was about to call you,” she added. “Have you guys up there heard about the murder in the Keys?”

“We always hear when something like that goes down. This is...bad. I’ve spoken with Logan, and we’re coming down.”

Logan Raintree was the head of Kelsey’s special unit. They were also a couple. Hannah was pretty sure they had either gotten married already in secret or were planning on a quiet wedding soon. She would have expected their relationship to be taboo, but apparently they really were very special agents and the tight-knit community in which they worked didn’t discourage close—even intimate—relationships between agents.

“That’s great,” Hannah said. “I can’t wait to see you.”

Katie, watching her, nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

“But until I get there, hang with Liam and Katie, okay? Just to be safe.”

“Because this has to do with Los Lobos?”

Kelsey was quiet for a minute and then she said, “Yes. So you do know.”

“Yes, I know it’s all related. But, why would I be in any danger? I didn’t see what happened,” Hannah said, surprised.

“There were cops, agents and crime scene techs stomping all over your yard today, right?” Kelsey asked.

“Yes, but...the only two people who saw any part of what happened are headed back to Miami—or there already, depending on who was driving,” Hannah said.

“Los Lobos has a long reach. I wouldn’t count on them being safe,” Kelsey said.

“They didn’t see the killer, just the dead man.”

“I’m sure the police are doing everything they can,” Kelsey said. “And there’s always the possibility that Jose Rodriguez can help us himself.”

“He can’t.”

“You’ve seen him already?” Kelsey asked, surprised.

“Yes, and he gave me the names of the people he was with, but he’s not sure whether they were involved or not. And he has no idea who came up behind him.”

“What else did he say?” Kelsey asked. “Did he tell you he was going to be working with Dallas Samson? You met him, right?”

“Yeah, I met him. You know him?”

“Uh-huh. I took a class from him when I was at the academy.”

“In?”

“Self-defense. Good class. The guy looks like he’s made out of iron, and he was teaching a class to show female agents how to deal with that kind of strength. Mind and balance over brawn. It was an excellent class. I loved the man.”

“Wonderful,” Hannah said.

“Anyway, I’m not sure how many of us will be coming. Logan needs clearance from Adam Harrison for a big operation, so I’ll tell you as soon as possible. Do you have any rooms free?”

Hannah laughed drily. “All of them. In fact, when word gets out, I may have all of them free for a very long time.”

“Don’t kid yourself—haunted rooms are always in demand,” Kelsey told her. “Okay, stay safe. I’ll be in touch.”

Hannah’s phone rang again the minute she and Kelsey hung up. She picked it up and saw that it was her reservation service. She winced and answered. A recorded message came on. “Good evening. This call is to inform you that your tour reservation cap for this evening has been reached. Guests have been told to arrive no later than seven-thirty this evening. All credit cards have been applied and have cleared. Thank you so much for using Zoom Reservation Services.”

She hung up the phone and looked at Katie morosely. “I have a tour tonight. It’s filled.”

“It is a Saturday night,” Katie pointed out.

“Right. And what do you want to bet that people expect me to show them where a man was killed last night?”

“Want me to get this place covered and come with you?” Katie asked.

“No, don’t be silly. I’m not afraid of tourists.”

Katie laughed. “Be afraid—be very afraid,” she teased. “Seriously, I can go with you.”

“And seriously, I’m okay. And when I get back, since I don’t have a single guest, the night will be all mine.”

“You’ll get guests back, I promise you.”

Katie would know. Her husband, David, had once been accused of killing his high school sweetheart. In proving his innocence, he’d caught the real killer. And the museum where the killings had taken place belonged to Katie now—and it was thriving.

“Hey,” Katie said. “There’s Liam.”

Hannah jerked around quickly. Liam was blinking against the darkness of the pub in contrast to the brilliance of a Key West summer afternoon.

Katie jumped up to greet her brother-in-law. Hannah followed and then stopped. Liam wasn’t alone. Agent Samson was with him.

There was no way to miss him when he walked into a room. He was tall—six-three or -four—but it wasn’t just his height. It was the way he carried himself. She couldn’t help but note that every female in the pub was staring at him. The men were watching him, as well—wary, perhaps.

“Hey, Katie,” Liam said, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. “I guess Hannah’s brought you up to speed.”

“Yes, she told me she found a dead man in her alley,” Katie said, giving nothing away. She looked inquiringly at Agent Samson.

“Katie, this is Dallas Samson. We were best friends until his dad got himself a top job in Washington. He’s down here again, and we’re working on this case together.”

“Hey,” Katie said, studying the man, then glancing at Hannah with a little grin. “Nice to meet you, Agent Samson. I heard you were here.”

“And we need your help,” Samson said. He, too, looked at Hannah—suspicious, probably, that she was there.

“I need to head back home,” Hannah said. “I’ll see you soon, Katie.”

“Don’t leave,” Samson said.

It sounded like an order given by a drill sergeant. Hannah instantly felt her temperature rise.

Then he added, “Please.”

It still sounded like a command.

“You want me to stay?” she asked, her skepticism clear.

“For a few minutes. Liam and I can talk to the Hardwickes later, but for now I’d like you to take me back to your place after I talk to Katie.”

“Oh?” She knew her one word had attitude, but she couldn’t help it. He was obnoxious.

“I was hoping you would come with me to meet your handyman neighbor, Mr. Holloway.”

Hannah nodded slowly. “All right. If it will help, if you think it’s necessary.”

“Katie, the group that was staying at the Siren of the Sea noticed a group wearing hoodies who might have been in here earlier in the evening. Do you remember seeing a bunch of guys like that?” Liam asked.

“Let’s see, it was Friday and pretty busy. You know I’m not here all the time, right? I just run the karaoke and help out Uncle Jamie when needed,” Katie said.

“Were you here around seven, by any chance?”

“Yes, I was,” she said, frowning. “Let me think. Hoodies?”

“Dark hoodies,” Liam said.

“I don’t remember anybody wearing one, but I do remember seeing one on the back of a barstool,” Katie said. “I saw some guy pick it up, and it looked like he was with three or four friends. They were young—early twenties, I’d say. One looked a little older. They looked like they were in town for a bachelor party or a frat weekend, something like that.”

“Would you recognize any of them if you saw them again?” Liam asked her.

“I might,” Katie said.

“Can you come with me to the station?” he asked her.

Katie looked at Hannah worriedly. “Yes, I guess so. Karaoke doesn’t start until eight.”