Page 47 of Killer Knows Best

“Hey.” Jack sits up, sounding more than a little offended. “She’s never seen my man parts,” he’s quick to spread the word. “And small isn’t something that comes to mind when thinking of any part attached to myself.”

“Maybe you need glasses,” Hale says without missing a beatand my mouth falls open in lieu of a laugh. A laugh would be exceptionally cruel.

Nikki nods to Hale with a grin. “I finally broke into Sherry Kent’s phone.”

This gets my attention.

“Did you?” I ask. And I’m more than relieved to change the subject.

I’m not a size matters girl. Am I?

“Yup.” Nikki flips open her laptop. “There were messages to Kiki along with another person she never addressed by name but had them listed as ‘sluts-r-us’. Charming, right? But it definitely looks as if our friend Kiki was shoveling business in Sherry’s direction.”

Jack gives both Nikki and me a look that says,now we’re getting somewhere.

Nikki clicks away at her keyboard as she continues. “I’m going to compile everything for us into a single dossier of the messages I’ve collected from Sherry Kent, Karen Holt, Delaney Riggs, and Gwen Alderson. That should be enough to put Karen away for human trafficking and racketeering.”

“Racketeering?” I raise a brow. “That’s a bold move. Do you suspect the mob?” I’m only half-teasing.

“Knight always suspects organized crime.” Hale nods her way. “I’m starting to think that’s your love language.”

She points right at him. “Iknewyou were a romantic.”

“I’ve got three divorces under my belt that say I’m not,” he counters.

“Karen Holt might just have the power to change your mind—or at least she might have a stable full of girls ready and willing for the right price. Trust me”—Nikki says emphatically—“she’s in deep. And we’ve got her.”

Hale nods, satisfied. “Good. Keep me updated. I want that dossier on my desk by tomorrow.”

“Screenshots, please,” I say and she gives a thumbs-up without diverting from her task at hand.

“Okay.” Hale clasps his hands. “Knight will dig deep. Stone, Baxter, I hear you’ve got a date at the library tonight.”

Jack’s chest expands. “A date with death.”

Nikki looks up.

“Phillis Hazelwood, the author ofInto the Ether with Love, is giving a talk,” I say. “She and her friend Brenda Billings worked closely with Delaney Riggs. You should come.”

“Maybe.” She shrugs. “But I’d have to squeeze it in with my actual date. I’ve got a bad boy on the line and I can’t risk losing him. He’s young, hot, and he has access to a key player in the case. Arealbad boy.”

Jack and I let out a spontaneous groan at the thought.

“In the meantime”—Nikki makes a face at Jack then me—“I’ll be going over the security footage that law enforcement obtained from the businesses around the vicinity of that restaurant Marsha Warren was headed to last night but never arrived at. Her car was found a few blocks down. Parking is tight and apparently lethal.”

“She could very well be alive and we’re treating it that way,” Hale says sternly. He goes to turn then pauses as he looks at Jack and me. “Try not to groan like that again in my presence. And Knight, steer clear of bad boys, would you?”

“It’s the lead singer of Social Disorder,” she’s quick to spill the disorderly beans. “I’ve been hanging out at the venue where they play, hoping to get ahold of Rush Simmons’ phone.” She shrugs my way as if that made it any better. “Anyway, the lead singer caught my eye and I liked what I saw. Tonight at ten. Feel free to join me.”

“Bring your weapons,” Hale mutters. “Now get lost.”

Jack and I rise, but before we leave, I shoot a glance at Nikki. “Keep us in the loop as soon as you hear anything.”

“Already on it,” Nikki says with a wink.

Jack and I head out the door and the weight of the day settles over me as we jump into his truck. I glance at Jack as we pull out of the lot and the early evening sun dips behind the mountains, casting menacing shadows over our world.

“Another day, another body,” I say as Buddy pokes his head between us. “And a potential kidnapping,” I add. “We’re in the deep end.”

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