Chapter 6
Tori’s first instinct was to not alarm her listeners. Maybe she could put a lighter spin on the call.
“Well,” she said, forcing brightness in her voice, “as you heard, not everyone is happy with Prescott’s release. So, if something should happen to me, the police will have a phone number and know who to look at first.”
Except the caller probably used a prepaid cell phone—but unless it was an old one, the police might be able to trace it. While the newer burner phones still didn’t provide an identity, they did have GPS and the call could be traced to the cell tower it came from.
When Amy didn’t give her a new caller name, she glanced toward her. Her producer was giving Tori the throat-slash gesture again. Instead Tori shook her head and spoke into the mic. “I’ll be right back after a word from our sponsor.”
As soon as she was off the air, she removed her headset. “That was weird.”
“It was more than weird,” Amy said. “That man threatened you.”
“Not in so many words. And I’m not certain it was a man.” Tori shot Amy a determined look. “I’m not about to let a caller with an ax to grind dictate my podcast. Who do we have next?”
“Line one. Mary from Texas.”
She’d never heard Amy’s voice tremble before.
“And I think after this call, you should end the program.”
“We’ll see.” Saying she wasn’t going to let someone dictate to her didn’t quell the dread in her stomach. She sipped the cold coffee. Amy gave her the countdown, and Tori leaned toward the mic, waiting for it to become hot. “Welcome to Dark Deeds Unraveled, Mary. What’s your question or comment?”
“The way that person sounded made me start praying a hedge of protection around you, Victoria,” Mary said, her voice strong and sure.
For a second, Tori was too stunned to get words past the lump in her throat. Those were the very words her mother always said as Tori walked out the front door to return to college after a weekend or a break. “Th-thank you,” she managed to get out.
“I know you’re a believer from different things you’ve said on your podcast,” Mary continued.
She couldn’t deny that, but what Mary didn’t know was how shaky her faith had been since her mother’s death, and then her fiancé’s murder two months later when a teenager on drugs killed Michael in a robbery gone bad. Both were deaths God could have prevented.
Before she responded, Mary said, “And he’ll protect you from callers like that last one. Keep up the good work! And that’s all I had to say.”
“Thank you again. Your words have encouraged me,” Tori said.
She managed to get through the next two callers and wrapped up the program.
“Be sure to tune in to the next show when I’ll be interviewing a victim of domestic violence—the time will be posted on my website.
The woman I’ll be interviewing wants you to know you don’t have to stay in a dangerous relationship, and she’ll be sharing tips on how to safely escape.
This is Victoria Mitchell signing off from the Dark Deeds Unraveled podcast.”
As soon as her mic was dead, Tori released a hard breath, but the tension didn’t dissipate.
“Good job.” Amy sank in the chair across from Tori. “And you were right to continue.”
“I had to. I wasn’t about to let some crank caller mess with my podcast.”
“What if it wasn’t a crank caller?” Amy chewed her bottom lip. “What if the person who called is Livingston’s killer?”
“I’m not sure the real killer would throw out a veiled threat like that, but if it was, then I’d say we struck a nerve. At any rate, I’d like to be instrumental in putting his murderer behind bars.”
“Figured you would feel that way. Do you want me to call the Knoxville PD? They might be able to trace the call.”
Tori doubted it, but then again, killers usually weren’t as smart as movies made them out to be. “It’s not a bad idea to have a report about the call on file with the police, but it can wait until Monday morning.”
“That’s a good idea,” Amy said. “I’ll call the detective we’ve reported threats to before. Even though it wasn’t an out-and-out threat, the call made me uncomfortable.” Amy stared down at her folded hands on the table, then she cleared her throat and looked up.
When she didn’t say anything, Tori lifted her brows. “Okay, spill it.”
Amy leaned forward. “Do you really think it’s a good idea to broadcast your plans to investigate Walter Livingston’s death?”
“Probably not. Sometimes my mouth works faster than my brain.” Tori blew out a breath. “You don’t need to come to Memphis with me. I don’t want to put you in danger, and it could mean an extended stay there.”
“You mean Logan Point, don’t you? That’s probably where whoever killed Walter Livingston lives, unless it was a random killing, which neither of us believe.” Amy’s lip twitched. “But if you’re determined to go, you could stay with your sister.”
“You gotta be kidding.” The words shot out of her mouth before she could catch them. Stay with her sister? No way. Then Amy’s lips quirked up in a “gotcha” grin.
They both laughed, and Tori said, “You had me going there for a minute. Erin and I would be at each other’s throats in two days.”
“I’ll check with Aunt Rainey and make sure she’s not expecting any of her kids or grandkids. Maybe we could stay with her. Any idea of when you plan to go?”
Rainey Bradsher was Amy’s aunt on her dad’s side and a hoot. Maybe staying in Logan Point wouldn’t be so bad; at least the times they’d stayed with her before hadn’t been. “Not right away. I want to wrap up the series on domestic violence first.”
“I’ll let my aunt know we’re looking at being in Logan Point in . . . what, two weeks from now?”
“Sounds good.”
“Maybe you can connect with your high school sweetheart.”
“Eli Livingston? He’s probably married with six kids by now.” She rubbed her jaw. “Not interested, even if he’s still single.”
A hush fell between them, and Tori shifted her gaze away from Amy. The pity in Amy’s eyes was the last thing she wanted.
“It’s been seven years since Michael died.
” Her friend had gentled her voice. She was quiet for a moment before smiling and adding, “Well, I never thought you and Eli were suited for each other, anyway. How about that guy you crushed on after graduation? You know—the one Kate Adams brought to church.”
The image of that boy popped into Tori’s mind. “Scott Sinclair?”
“That’s the one.”
Tori shook her head. “I’ll be too busy to reconnect with guys from my past. Besides, I doubt Scott would remember me, anyway.”
“Come on, Tori. Michael would’ve wanted you to embrace life again, not bury yourself in work. It’s time to rejoin the human race.”
Bringing up Michael wasn’t fair. While she’d never been in love with Eli and Scott had just been a summer crush, Michael had been different. Tori had loved him fiercely, and no way was she ever opening herself up to the risk of losing someone again.
She palmed her hands. “I’m happy just the way I am. And even if I weren’t, I definitely wouldn’t connect with Scott.”
“Come on, Tori,” Amy said. “Not every recovering alcoholic goes back to drinking.”
“Can’t prove that by me.” She shook her head. “Besides, Scott probably doesn’t even live in Logan Point anymore.”