Mayes, Casey - A Deadly Row

WHEN I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING, THE BED WASempty. I started searching for a note or something from my husband when I realized that I’d forgotten all about my scheduled breakfast with Lorna. It was too early to call her, so I’d have to phone her from the road. I’d been looking forward to seeing her again, but if I waited to leave until after we had breakfast and chatted a little, it would cost me too much time. I was sure she’d understand, and if she was free, I’d have to try to reschedule for the next day.

I found Zach in the shower when I walked into the bathroom.

“I thought you’d already be gone,” I said.

“Hey, it’s only seven.”

“I know, but you get obsessed when you’re working, and don’t try to deny it.”

“I went for a run,” Zach admitted. “You know how sometimes it helps clear my head.”

As the shower stopped and I handed him a towel, I asked, “Did you have nightmares again?” When my husband was wrapped up in a case, he often had bad dreams from trying to put himself into a killer’s mind. It was no wonder he reacted that way, though he didn’t want anyone else to know that he wasn’t always the calm, levelheaded guy he presented to the world.

“Yeah, they were pretty tough.” He frowned for a second, then said, “You’ve got a big day today. Breakfast with Lorna, and then a drive to Hickory.”

“I’m canceling breakfast,” I said as I took over the shower. “From the sound of Uncle Thomas’s voice, I’m not delaying my visit by an hour.”

“Are you afraid he’s not telling you everything?”

“He’s a man,” I said. “Most of you seem to be reticent by nature when it comes to talking about your health. I’m amazed he even went to the doctor in the first place. That alone tells me it must be serious.”

“We think we’re bulletproof most of the time,” Zach admitted. “When we’re not, we try to deny it until we can’t.”

“I don’t get you,” I said.

There was no response.

“Zach? Did you hear me?”

From the bedroom, I heard him ask, “Were you talking to me?”

“No, but you could tell me when you leave the room.”

He chuckled. “Sure I could, but what fun would that be?”

I stepped out of the shower, and my husband handed me a towel in turn. “I could get used to this.”

“What, fresh towel service every morning?”

“Sure, that, too, but I mean you handing me a towel every day when I get out of the shower.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” he said. In the short time I’d been in the shower, my husband had dressed, combed his hair, and was ready for work. He gave me a quick kiss, and then said, “Say hello to Tom for me.”

“I will. Zach, while I’m gone, you be careful, do you hear me?”

“Savannah, what trouble will I be able to get into when I’m locked up in that command center? I’m safer than the mayor up there.”

“Speaking of Grady, are you going to talk to him again today?”

“Why, because our last chat went so well? No, I’m probably not going to brace him again until I have something a little more substantial to say.”

As I dried my hair, I asked, “Do you think you’ll find something on him?”

“You can bet that if it’s there, I’ll find it,” he said.

“I know you will. Not that I’m not flattered, but shouldn’t you be going to work now?”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?”

“No way. I just don’t want to keep you from your investigation.”

“It will wait a little bit.”

There was a knock at the door, and I asked my husband, “Were you expecting someone?”

“I called room service while you were in the shower,” he said with a grin. “I thought we could have a quick bite together before you go. What do you think?”

“I think that’s a great idea. Give me a second and I’ll join you.”

I got dressed quickly, and then met Zach out in the living room of the suite. Dining in front of that spectacular view was quickly becoming a habit for me, and I knew I’d miss it once we were back in Parson’s Valley.

“Wow, this is really nice.”

“Hey, nothing but the best for my wife,” Zach said.

“Especially when we’re not footing the bill. I hate to admit it, but I feel a little guilty about all of this.”

As we started to eat, Zach shrugged. “I never could have accepted any of this if I was still on the force, but as a consultant, I don’t have any problem with it.”

That surprised me. “You honestly don’t mind?”

“Savannah, this man lost someone he cared about. It’s helping him knowing that he’s making my life easier so I can focus on finding the killer. If it’s a good thing for him, and it doesn’t cost me anything, why shouldn’t I accept his generous offer?”

“It sounds good to me. Do you have any new leads for today?”

“I’ve got a couple of angles I want to check out,” he said.

“Go on, I’m listening.”

“You know I can’t talk about my thought process,” he said.

“I was just wondering if that changed, too.”

“Not a chance.”

I smiled at him. “Just checking.”

He took a bite of toast, and then said, “Davis wants a progress report first thing this morning, but I don’t know what I’m going to tell him. Maybe I need to pop in on Grady after all and see if I can catch him off guard. I don’t know; I’m not sure what I’m going to do just yet.”

I pushed my plate away, too full to finish the omelet my husband had ordered for me. “That was great. Are you ready to go?”

“Are you rushing me?”

“No, stay as long as you like, but I need to get on the road.”

He pushed away from his plate. “Hang on a second, I’m almost ready.”

As we left the suite and rode down in the elevator, I said, “I still can’t believe we’re here.”

“In the Belmont?”

“Sure, but mostly just being back in Charlotte. I wasn’t sure that it was that great of an idea coming back, but as much as I’m enjoying it, I can’t wait to get home.”

“I know just what you mean.”

When we got to the lobby, there was a uniformed officer standing beside a large plant. He was trying his best to look inconspicuous in his uniform, but he was failing epically.

“Where’s Steve?” I asked Zach. “I thought he was your ride.”

“He’s taking a personal day,” my husband explained.

“I could always drop you off at the station on my way out of town.”

“It’s out of your way, and you know it. This will be fine.” He gave me a quick peck, and then added, “Have a safe drive, and don’t forget to call me when you get there.”

“Okay. I’ll see you tonight.”

After my husband was gone, I headed for the parking garage and collected our car. I glanced at the clock on the dashboard when I got in and saw that if I didn’t hit too much traffic, I should be at Uncle Thomas’s a little after nine. I was excited to see him, but I also had a sense of dread about what he was about to tell me.

There was only one way to find out, though.

Chapter 11

AS SOON AS I GOT A LITTLE WAYS UP 1-77 AND OUT OF THEmain part of town, I dialed Lorna’s number.

“Hey, there. You just caught me. I was getting ready to leave the house,” she said.

“I’m glad I called, then. Something’s come up, so I’m going to have to cancel on you this morning.”

“Really? I could make it later, if that would be more convenient for you.” The disappointment was clear in her voice. “I’ve really missed chatting with you, Savannah.”