Page 7 of Her Frozen Heart

Huff grunted his thanks and turned on the craft’s engine. Nikki peeked out of the tent, and sure enough, the reporters had heard the noise and started moving closer to the shore. Huff backed out of the covered area and turned the ice boat sharply to the left, heading to the opposite shore. The press must not have realized that was the plan, because a couple of reporters yelled their displeasure, while others rushed to pack up and try to make it to the other landing.

“Courtney will need the bag her remains were in,” Nikki said. Her forensic team lead was a wizard at her job, but water changed everything about a crime scene. Courtney wouldn’t have a lot of opportunity to work her magic.

“Deputy Reynolds will have them at the office later today,” Miller said. “Assuming someone is available to receive?”

“The office is closed,” Nikki said. “Keep them locked up at the sheriff’s station, and we’ll get them to Courtney when she comes back to work the day after Christmas.”

They started shuffling toward the shore; Nikki’s cheeks stung from the cold wind. “What about the tent?”

“DNR’s,” Miller said. “They’ll take it down. It’s always so strange to just walk away from a scene like this.”

“Water is a bitch,” Nikki said. “Did you check the shoreline and parking lot for anything the killer might have accidentally dropped?”

He nodded. “Bagged some cigarette butts and a vape cartridge. We’ll send to the lab for prints, but the lake’s been pretty busy since the ice came in. Could belong to anyone.”

“Kesha disappeared from the Mall of America, right?” Nikki asked.

“She and her boyfriend Dion went shopping the weekend after Thanksgiving,” Miller said. “According to the Bloomington detective, Kesha left Dion at the food court while she hit a couple of stores. Mall security videos show her walking alone a couple of times, and she did purchase some things from Victoria’s Secret. That’s the last confirmed time she was seen alive.”

Nikki tried to ignore the rush of anxiety at the mention of the mall and its security. She and Rory had taken Lacey last spring, losing sight of her after one of the rides in the amusement park area. Frost had followed them and given Lacey a rose for Nikki—his first of many torments aimed at her. “The mall has its own police force, and they’re pretty well equipped with security. I’ll go there first thing Monday morning.”

Since Christmas was on a Saturday this year, it would be even harder to get anything done over the weekend.

They’d reached the shore, and the reporters who hadn’t raced to the other side of the lake were starting to converge on them.

“No comment. We aren’t answering any questions right now.” Miller waved off the reporters and then pointed to the curvy, blonde woman in designer sunglasses and parka standing near Nikki’s jeep. “Well, this is kind of like déjà vu.”

Last January, Caitlin Newport had shown up at Nikki’s first scene back in her hometown on a mission to free Mark Todd. Since then, she’d become Liam’s girlfriend and Nikki considered her a friend. She was also a shrewd reporter who could easily become a thorn in their sides.

Caitlin leaned against her truck and waved. “Hey, guys.”

“I thought you were doing media consulting now,” Miller said when they’d reached the cars.

“I am,” Caitlin said, her cheeks uncharacteristically red. “But this is quite the scene. I thought I’d come out and check on things.”

“Please.” Nikki rolled her eyes. “Liam sent you, didn’t he?”

Caitlin grinned sheepishly. “Just to observe.”

“That’s what I’m doing,” Nikki said. “We have it covered here.”

“I know, but it makes him feel like he’s contributing.” Caitlin pulled her coat hood up against the wind.

“Tell him I’m going to contribute my foot up his rear if he pulls a stunt like that again,” Nikki said. “He knows I can’t share information with you.”

“Not on record—” Caitlin said.

“Not legally,” Miller cut in. “You aren’t a cop. No offense.”

One of the reporters they’d rebuffed earlier had crept up. “Hey, man, does Newport get the exclusive because she’s in bed—literally—with the FBI?”

Caitlin swiveled, the heel of her boot digging into the iced-over pea gravel, her eyes flashing. Nikki grabbed her arm before Caitlin could get any further.

“She’s not here about the story,” Nikki said curtly. “This is a private matter, so back off.” She dug her fingers into Caitlin’s elbow, practically dragging her toward the truck.

“All right,” Caitlin grouched, pulling her arm away. “Listen, you need to know the chatter is that the Bloomington Police Department blew off the case because Kesha’s black. And it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not because of all the issues the Minneapolis police have caused the last couple of years. I heard a couple camera guys saying the reason Miller brought you in is because he doesn’t want to get lumped in with them.”

Nikki rolled her eyes. “Even though he’s also black? Come on.”

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