Page 19 of Special Agent Anastacia

“Chloe here was barking hysterically and disturbed the neighbors.” The fluffy, red-gold Pomeranian in his arms shivered, and its teary glazed stare appeared as distressed as Pat himself. “Sheriff, we all know Sadie never leaves her pet out for long. The guy next door, Allen, came to see what was wrong and walked in the open door to see the bodies. He ran and got me. I only live a few doors down the lane.”

“Okay. Give the dog to Allen and get your uniform on. It’s going to be another long day, and I’m gonna need you to canvas the area and see if any of the folks had outside security cameras or if anyone saw anything.”

“You got it, boss.”

Next, Dave approached Ana. “I’ve got protective gear in my car. I’d like you with me to check out the scene. You’reexperience will be invaluable.” He pointed at Nash. “I’d appreciate it if you would talk with these folks and see if anyone saw or heard anything. If so, keep them close so I can follow up and get their statements.”

Within a short time, Ana trailed the sheriff inside the residence to find a real mess, with dirty dishes, magazines, and beer cans strewn everywhere. Dave shared his thoughts. “Considering Sadie is known as a neat freak, this chaos is disturbingly out of place.”

They passed through the living room and into the kitchen, where again, food containers, dirty pots, and crusted dishes littered each surface. A prized farmhouse-styled table that normally sat in the middle of the room had been angrily shoved crookedly against the wall. And Sadie’s valued plant stand filled with a huge variety of violets had been knocked over – soil and broken pots lay scattered everywhere.

Continuing to the bedroom, they saw two bodies close together on the bed, and the mound of knitting that must have been on the bedside table now spread over Sadie and twisted in her hand. Her clothes were either missing or awry. She appeared to have been in a struggle and showed signs of strangulation as well as a bullet hole in the chest.

Whereas the male beside her lay also half dressed, his blue-gloved hand clutching at the knitting needle protruding from his jugular. Blood pooled under his head, his eyes open and filled with shock, and he was sprawled on his back. He, also, had been shot. Both wounds looked similar to the one Lew had, only this time the killer hadn’t missed.

“Lord Almighty, this is nasty. Gotta tell you, in my whole career, I’ve only dealt with one murder, and it was a domestic disturbance situation gone awry. This here shit is a whole new ballgame for me. I’m glad you’re with me today, Ana.”

“I can tell you, it never gets easier, Dave. The worst of humanity in technicolor.”

Throughout the following hours, between dealing with the crime scene, gathering information from the neighbors who might have noticed something, and making sure they filled in all the reports necessary when murder is involved, the second night was well in bloom by the time Ana agreed to be driven home by Nash.

“Sorry to take you out of your way. After spending the night before in the hospital waiting room, Hanna looked exhausted, so I coerced Maria to take her home in my car. She’s staying the night with her. Neither wanted to be alone, and I agreed.”

“Mom told me. I thought it a good idea too. Best not to take any chances with a killer on the loose.”

“Right. And with Lew out of the woods now and recuperating, they both need a good night’s sleep. Doc says it’s going to be a long recovery.”

Nash’s truck pulled to a stop in front of Ana’s cabin, and she reached for the doorhandle. Before she could step out, Nash cleared his throat in an attention-seeking way.

“What?”

“This is where you live? In this isolated place with no lights? You got to be kidding. We just agreed it was safer for Hanna to stay with Maria, and you intend to stay out here by yourself?”

“Sure. Hey… remember? I’m an agent with the FBI. My niece already told you, I have a big gun, and I know how to use it.” She grinned. “Don’t fuss.”

“I wouldn’t, except I saw the bag of evidence you handed to Pat. You know, the one filled with the burglar’s gear that had been squatting in your place. How do you know that wasn’t the killer’s stuff?”

“I don’t. And I’m too tired to care.”

“Well, I’m not. Come stay at Maria’s with the rest of us. Trust me, there’s room. And I’ll be able to sleep better.”

“Jesus, Nash, don’t be a pain. I’m fine.” She jumped out of the truck and headed toward the house, only to be cut off by a furious man who loomed over her.

“Bloody stubborn female without an ounce of working braincells in that ridiculously pretty head.” He muttered the words loud enough to be sure she’d hear. Then he barked, “You insist on staying. Then I will too. Be a nice girl and get me a pillow for the truck, the seats aren’t all that comfortable.”

Chapter Fifteen

Ana couldn’t figure out if she’d been played by a genius or stroked by a sincere do-gooder, but as she led the way inside where she firmly suggested he sleep if he insisted on his tomfoolery, she couldn’t make up her mind.

Without looking behind her, she grumbled, “Quit grinning like a cheshire cat.”

“Who, me?”

“Yes you. I’m too tried to continue arguing. My parents’ suite is through that hallway. Make yourself at home. I’m going to bed.”

“What… no goodnight story. Or better yet, a goodnight kiss?”

“About that gun I mentioned earlier…”

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