CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE #2
“Let me worry about the price.”
She rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Okay, mister moneybags. But that’s not all. The houses in that neighborhood are huge. I don’t even think they have any two-story homes, much less a one or one-and-a-half story. That’s what I’d rather have.”
“Why not get a bigger home? You could always think of it as an investment.”
She shook her head. “I would be scared living by myself in a house as big as the Mayor’s Mansion or Cinnamon House. No way could I do that.”
“Get your mom to come live with you.”
She snorted. “Mama is perfectly happy in the beach condo. I don’t think anything could make her leave that property.
Certainly not anything downtown. I’m so glad that Mama’s happy, even though I didn’t even get to help.
Carmen handled things about a couple of months ago through the trust you set up at the start of… things.”
I saw her eyes shoot to Byron. He knew how our relationship had started, but I didn’t want her to know that. She thought a lot of Byron and didn’t want him to think badly of her.
She leaned forward and handed Byron a list before he pulled out of the parking garage under Salazar Heights. “These are the addresses I made appointments with for today, Byron. Do you know where they are?”
“I sure do, Nadine,” he smiled at her.
“Great. Thanks for doing this.”
“Not a problem at all.”
I ran a hand over my mouth to hide my smile. It was clear to me that Byron’s allegiance was going to shift from me to Nadine. Well, I couldn’t fault him. I was crazy about her, too.
“Why don’t you live at the beach near your mom? I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“It was,” she said as Byron started the car and maneuvered out of the parking garage. “But that was before I had friends and a job in the city. Living at the beach would be wonderful, but if my friends and my job are downtown, it wouldn’t make much sense.”
I nodded and watched the scenery rolling past. “Don’t you love the Christmas decorations?”
“Yeah. It’s all really pretty.” She was looking out the window, too, and smiling like a little kid.
And that’s when my phone rang. I looked at the screen. “Shit.” I looked over at her. “I have to take this.”
Nadine’s smile dropped from her face, but she nodded. “Of course.” She turned and looked out the window, turning her back in my direction.
“Sheriff Miller. What can I do for you?”
“Sorry to interrupt your day, Reynolds. Your secretary said you were out on personal business, but this couldn’t wait.”
I sighed and closed my eyes. All this could be was more crime. I just hoped it wasn’t another murder…
“There’s been another homicide,” he said gravely.
“Fuck,” I whispered.
“Exactly,” Sheriff Miller said. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think I’m going to call in the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.”
“Why’s that?”
“The GBI has criminal profilers on staff. I’m starting to think this might be the work of one person, Reynolds. I’m out of my comfort zone, and I want their opinion.”
“On what?” I asked, even though I was afraid I knew what he was going to say.
He was quiet for a moment. “I’m afraid we might have a serial killer in West Bay, Reynolds.”
Oh, shit. I closed my eyes. I knew it had been what he was thinking, but I hadn’t wanted to think something like that could happen here.
He sighed. “I know you didn’t want me to go public with this, but I have to have a press conference.”
“Oh my God, why?” I sat up straight. I could feel both Byron and Nadine’s eyes on me.
“Three reasons. First and foremost, I need to draw attention to these cases. Second, I need to address what we’re doing to combat crime with both your new crime initiatives and bringing the GBI in. And lastly, I think people are going to be interested in who the latest victim is.”
If possible, my skin went even colder than it had been ever since he’d said the word homicide. “Who is it?”
“Her name is Candace Key, and she works for the Salazar family at…”
“Sugar,” I filled in. I remembered Candace. She was a beautiful stripper at the club. I’d never interacted with her, but I’d noticed her.
This was horrible. A nightmare.
“Right. She was one of the dancers, and the Salazars want answers ASAP.”
“I’ll be right there.”
“Thanks, Reynolds. See you soon.”
I hung up and blew out a breath.
Both Byron and Nadine were looking at me with concern. “What’s going on?” Byron asked.
“There’s been another homicide.” They both made exclamations of horror. “This time it hits close to home.” I turned to Nadine. “Did you know Candace Key?”
Nadine gasped. “Not well, but enough to say hello and talk a bit when I saw her at Sugar. Is it… is it her?” She covered her mouth with one of her delicate hands.
I nodded. “Yes. I need to go to the sheriff’s office and discuss a few things leading up to a press conference.”
“Of course,” Nadine said.
“Byron, can you drop me at the police station and take Nadine around to the houses she’s interested in seeing?”
“Sure thing.” He shifted a few lanes and prepared to turn left at the next light.
“I’m not sure I should do something frivolous like look at homes while poor Candace is dead,” Nadine said, tears welling in her pretty brown eyes.
“There’s nothing anyone can do for her now, Nadine, except find her killer. You can’t help with that. So, I think it’s best you just go about your normal day.” I paused. “In fact, I think it would be good for you to get your mind off it.”
She looked pale, but nodded, lips in a firm line. “Is it okay for Byron to go with me, though? Shouldn’t he be protecting you?”
“Honey, I’ll be with the sheriff. I doubt anyone will try to take me out while I’m there. Plus, I’d rather Byron be with you. Especially now,” I said grimly. My eyes caught Byron’s in the mirror, and he gave me a nod.
“You know I'll take good care of her, Reynolds.”
“Of course.”
Byron pulled up outside the station moments later.
I waved as I got out. “I’ll give you a call when I’m ready for you to pick me up. Y’all have fun, okay?”
Byron nodded, then drove off with Nadine in the car.
I watched them drive away with a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach. Even though I had a good excuse for missing shopping for homes with Nadine, I still felt guilty. This was just another thing that I wasn’t showing up for with her.
I didn’t know why, but I sensed my time with her was running out. I also wasn’t making a very good impression on her in the sense that I would put her first in my life. In fact, no matter how hard I tried, she always seemed to come third or fourth on my list.
I hated it, but didn’t know how to fix things.
Maybe I couldn’t.
I sighed and walked into the police station.
I had to push thoughts of Nadine aside.
I needed to focus on whether a serial killer was haunting the streets of West Bay.