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Philip So smart So clever So able to win over anyone
The htened as Leah set down her coffee andtable, where she kept her purse She fished out her wallet and from a deep pocket pulled out an old business card she’d carried with her for years The edges were dog-eared, the card stock thinned ear
The name in the center of the card read ROSEANNE JEFFERS, DETECTIVE, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE POLICE She flicked the edges of the card In the early days after Philip’s disappearance, she’d called Roseanne often She’d been too afraid to sleep or eat for fear that Philip ht return to kill her Roseanne had been kind, understanding, at first, but after Leah had rown etically to Roseanne’s voice et on with her life Otherwise, Philip won
“Philip is dead,” she muttered
She hadn’t called Roseanne in three years
Leah closed her eyes, trying to push an old worry back into the shadows When the threats had been real, she’d had to beg the police to intervene But when the threat had been destroyed, she couldn’t break the cycle of fear
She reached for her cell phone and dialed Roseanne’s number Her thumb hovered over the Send button for a second or two and, pulling in a deep breath, pressed it She put the phone to her ear, her heart thru in her chest so hard it was a wonder she didn’t hear it
The phone rang three ti voice mail picked up Leah hesitated “Roseanne, this is Leah Carson Leah Latimer We haven’t spoken in a few years, but we talked several times about my husband, Philip Latiically, I know I shouldn’t have doubts about your findings, but I do Can you callhis death again? I know this is odd, but a phone call would help Thanks” She recited her nu up the phone Carefully, she replaced the card in her wallet and tucked her phone in the side pocket of her purse
Leah tipped her head back, trying to ease the tension in her chest She took several deep breaths, but nothing softened the anxiety
I’ foolish Philip is dead
He stood in the woods, staring up at Leah’s town house Frigid air wafted around hi his skin even as the idea of the chase war the two of them alone
Though the drapes were closed, he could tell the lights were on in the bedroo room He saoman’s shadow pass in front of the bedroo rooes of his lips
He switched on a s device in Leah’s town house He raised it to his ear and listened to the soft huht look all pulled together and competent, but when she was alone, the demons came out to play Kept her awake Made her pace Good He wanted, liked her afraid Rattled and scared
Leah had found Deidre today He’d seen her bolt out the door, panicked and afraid Her hands had been tre badly when she’d dialed the cops She’d paced alone in front of Deidre’s place, unmindful of the cold Three squad cars had rolled up withinthem down
The cops had talked to her at length The TBI had been there, sitting alone with her in the backseat of the car
He hadn’t followed her directly hoet on any cop’s radar Stay in the shadows Be patient Too soon to reveal himself Too soon to strike
Their finalwould come on the anniversary of the day she’d nearly died Perfect symmetry, in his mind
The ultioal was in reach and would soon be his
Chapter Eight
Monday, January 16, 3 PM
Alex and Deke arrived at the sheriff’s office in the center of the small toenty ed husband, had been sheriff of the bedroom community for nearly five years and had earned hiood lawh cri did, Radcliff was on hand to deal with it
Alex studied the one-story brick building that housed the sheriff’s office A quick check as they’d driven out revealed this boxy, practical building housed only the sheriff’s office, which e the sheriff, a few deputies, and a secretary
Tyler faced a reelection this fall With a feell-placed questions, Alex had discovered that Tyler expected to easily win reelection There’d been so, but none in the Radcliff camp was concerned
Alex adjusted his sunglasses as he studied the building “So how did Deidre, a Nashville detective, and a local sheriff hook up?”
“Couldn’t tell you I never asked and she never offered,” Deke said
Alex pulled off his sunglasses “You ever have any kind of conversation with her?”
“I knew her only in passing”
“You don’t talk to many people,” Alex said
“We Morgans come by it honestly And you’re one to talk How many years does it take you to warm up to people?”
“A lot” Outside of his family, he kept his relationships on the surface It wasn’t a ated other officers, so any kind of friendly relationship with anyone on the job could lead to a conflict of interest
Alex shook his head “We’re quite the family”
“We’re a hardheaded lot And soroup of individuals”
Deke spoke plainly, and Alex found the raw honesty refreshing It had been so long since he’d let his guard down, he wondered now if it were possible “So I’ve heard”