Point Blank Protector. Joanna Wayne

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СКАЧАТЬ we have some of the killer’s DNA on her somewhere. If not, there’s a good chance we have fingerprints from your door or the light switch, maybe even from the walls.”

      “Have you questioned anyone about her?”

      “Not yet, but don’t you worry. We’ll catch the killer. Right now I just want to make sure you’re doing okay.”

      Apprehension shook her resolve. “Why? Have you changed your mind about it being safe for me to stay here?”

      “Not at all. The killer’s likely from Houston just like his victim. He’ll probably stay way the hell away from the scene of the crime—pardon my French. In case he doesn’t, one of my best-trained deputies is keeping an eye on your place tonight.”

      “I appreciate that.”

      “Just don’t shoot him if he shines a light around the house to check things out. He ain’t much to look at, but his wife still likes having him around.”

      She smiled at the sheriff’s humor in spite of the fear that pummeled her nerves. Once she’d said goodbye and broken the connection, she struggled to push the situation to the back corners of her mind.

      She should fix something to eat and have a glass of wine, but first she needed a bath. The layers of dust and grime she’d cleaned from the house seemed embedded in her skin.

      She walked to the bathroom, turned on the faucet and stripped off her jeans, T-shirt and undies. Ex-hausted, she stepped into the claw-footed tub and sank into the hot water. By the time she’d lathered every inch of her body, she was so weary she could barely think.

      She’d forgotten to unpack the towels she’d brought with her so she padded to the bedroom for her old yellow fleece robe, dripping as she went. She snuggled into the robe and fell across the bed.

      The wind picked up, rattling the windows and pushing cold drafts around the sills. She closed her eyes, half expecting images of Louisa Kellogg’s body to creep into her mind.

      Instead it was Zach Collingsworth’s face that pushed through the fog of fatigue. As far as her heart was concerned, he might be the most dangerous dream of all.

      THE COLLINGSWORTH Sunday brunch had its roots more in a bribe than a treat for the taste buds. Lenora’s faith was all-important to her and when she’d first married Randolph she’d wanted him to share it. She’d promised to cook anything and everything he wanted if he’d go to church with her.

      Reluctantly, he’d agreed, but he’d put her to the test week after week, requesting one gourmet entree after another. The bribe had been a success on several levels. Randolph had eventually embraced her faith in God, her cooking skills had improved dramatically and the Collingsworth family brunch had become entrenched in their routine.

      A few years back, Lenora’s children had persuaded her to hire a cook so that she could have more time for herself. Now Sunday was the only day Lenora took over her kitchen. She made the most of it by planning ahead and delegating duties so that in under an hour after returning from early services at their church, the family was gathered at the table. She always served up old favorites and a couple of surprises. Today the surprises were crab bisque and raspberry scones topped with Chantilly cream.

      The doorbell rang just as her father-in-law Jeremiah finished saying grace, his voice growing so steady of late that at times he sounded almost like the pre-stroke Jeremiah.

      “That’s probably Melvin,” Langston said. “He was supposed to get back from a business trip to Dubai last night, and he said he was hungry for Texas cooking.”

      Lenora started to go for another plate, but her daughter Becky beat her to the task. Billy Mack, a brunch regular, scooted over a bit and made room for the extra chair Bart was already sliding into place.

      Melvin was Langston’s right-hand man at Collingsworth Oil. Jeremiah had hired him without consulting Langston, but Melvin had immediately proved his worth by suggesting changes that had increased their profits on a drilling project in the Gulf of Mexico by twenty percent.

      But that was business. It was his ready smile and terrific sense of humor that had let him work his way into the family circle.

      Jeremiah reached for the plate of scrambled eggs that was just out of his reach. “You guys gonna pass food or just play musical chairs?”

      “Yeah,” Derrick said. “I’m starved.”

      “You are always starved,” Bart said, teasing his young nephew. “You can tell you’re kin to your uncle Matt.”

      “Ranchers need stamina,” Matt said, spooning gravy onto his biscuits.

      “So do football players,” David said, reaching across his twin brother to grab a scone. “Like my Dad. He can really eat, can’t he, Grandma?”

      “He can indeed.”

      Langston finally returned, but he ushered in two guests instead of one. Lenora was surprised to see Aidan Jefferies with Melvin.

      “Hey, just in time to dig in,” Melvin said. “How’s that for timing?”

      Aidan smiled and planted a kiss on Lenora’s cheek. “Hope I’m not intruding. I can wait in the living room until you’ve finished your meal.”

      “Nonsense,” Lenora answered quickly. “Not only do you have to eat, you have to tell me how delicious everything is.”

      “Several times,” Zach said. “Those who fail to praise excessively never get invited back.”

      Aidan grinned. “I’m sure I’ll love every bite.”

      Lenora pushed away from the table. “I’ll get another plate.”

      “Keep your seat, Mom,” Langston said. “I’m already up.”

      Melvin tousled the boys’ hair and waved to the rest of the family, then grabbed another chair and slid it next to Jaime’s.

      “Did you two come out together?” Bart asked.

      “No,” Aidan said. “We just happened to turn in your gate at the same time.”

      Aidan gave no indication that this was anything other than a chance visit, but Lenora doubted that to be the case. He and Langston were the best of friends and had been for years, but the busy Houston homicide detective seldom showed up unannounced.

      Whatever Aidan’s reason for coming, he managed to join in the jocular mood of the group as the food disappeared. Melvin kept the conversation interesting by sharing some of the more fascinating accounts of his recent trip. Her granddaughter Gina added excitement when she described her winning performance in the barrel-racing competition at the local rodeo the night before. Fortunately, Lenora had been there to see the feat firsthand.

      Thankfully, no one brought up Kali or Louisa Kellogg during the meal. Nonetheless, the situation monopolized Lenora’s thoughts. She was almost certain that Aidan had come to talk to them about a development in the murder case and that the news would not be good.

      Chapter Three

      As soon as the meal was finished, Zach grabbed a СКАЧАТЬ