Killer Exposure. Jessica R. Patch

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      Lights flashed in the distance. Sheriff’s deputies had arrived. They went to work sealing off the scene and forcing Locke to the other side of the tape, where he stood in the rain getting wetter with each second. A chill had already numbed his skin but he wasn’t going anywhere. Not until he was sure she was safe. Didn’t matter that other police were around and were capable.

      “Sir,” another crime tech said. “I need to collect evidence from your hands. Deputy Montgomery said you hit the attacker’s face. I’d like to get a sample before this storm washes it away.” Locke complied while the officer did his thing. Another deputy walked up—he was an inch shorter than Locke’s six-foot-one frame. “I’m Deputy Crisp.”

      “Locke Gallagher.”

      “I’m gonna need your statement. I’ve already gotten Deputy Montgomery’s.”

      Locke gave him the lowdown, while keeping an eye on Greer as she talked with other deputies.

      When Greer finally slipped out from under the tape, he headed straight for her.

      She cocked her head. “You don’t have to stick around, Locke. They got everything they needed and as I said before, I’m okay.” She sighed and reached into her pocket, pulling out a small pouch. She tossed it to him. “Poncho. Though, it’s a little late for staying dry.” A smirk pulled at her lips as if she was totally fine, but her eyes betrayed her.

      “I know I don’t need to stay. I want to. And I know you too well. You’re not okay.” It was clear Greer didn’t want anything to do with him. He got that. He’d repeatedly been over her reasons for going cold turkey on him. She might have changed her mind about the traveling life. And the bigger one—the night they’d crossed a line—could have seriously factored into her not returning. He’d made a huge mistake. Shouldn’t have let it get so out of control. Epic fail on his part and he blamed himself completely. Not that he hadn’t moved on since she’d broken his heart—he had—but of all the adventures Locke ever loved, Greer was his greatest. Couldn’t they even be friends?

      “Greer, I should have known you’d be here working.” A tall man with thick silver hair approached. Locke hung back but could still hear the conversation.

      “Hey, Sheriff. I’m not letting this one get away.” She told him what happened. “What we know right now is the vic’s name is Fred ‘Flip’ Bomer. He’s worked the Stellar Entertainment carnival for eight years. Done an array of things from games to running the bumper cars. Thirty-seven. Not married. The carnival manager, Rudy Dennison, is getting us his file, but you know that’s going to be thin. Carnivals don’t require background checks or too much information.”

      “True. Listen, I appreciate you taking the initiative and getting the photos, but you were attacked. Get some rest. Let Crisp take it from here.” The fatherly figure laid a hand on her shoulder. “You sure you don’t need medical attention?”

      Greer bristled. “No, sir. I’m going to work with Burt on a sketch of the man who killed Flip and attacked me. Manager said they have multiple maintenance workers on staff. We’re rounding them up now. I need to stay on this. Need to ID this guy.”

      He seemed to debate the idea. “Let Crisp and Garrison do it. When they get the workers corralled, you can make the ID.” He gave her a slight side-hug. “Glad you’re okay.” He then turned to Locke. “Sheriff Randy Wright.”

      “Locke Gallagher.”

      “Thank you for being in the woods.” He squinted, rain dripping off his poncho. “Why were you out here in the woods?”

      Locke glanced at Greer. The truth was he was trying to figure out what to do about seeing or not seeing her while photographing nature. “I’m with a group researching storms. Y’all have several supercells coming in this week, prime weather for twisters. I photograph them.”

      “A storm chaser?”

      “Yes, sir.”

      He grinned. “Glad you were here. Not that I don’t think Greer could have made it out, but sometimes we need a little help.”

      “I guess so.”

      The sheriff shook his hand again and left them alone as the rain let up. Wasn’t over yet, though. “Locke, I’m safe. Seriously, you can get back to what you were doing,” Greer said.

      “I know.” But he didn’t want to leave. “How long will the sketch take? I can wait. We can get dry...and get coffee?”

      “I’m not sure. And I worked all last night, picking up overtime, so I’m pretty tired.” As if on cue, she yawned, then sheepishly grinned. His heart slammed into his throat. Those wide, thick lips on a heart-shaped face. The straightest nose he’d ever seen. Her chocolate-brown eyes revealed true exhaustion. But there wasn’t a measure of fear in her tone—she was so like the Greer he used to know. Used to love.

      Overtime and exhaustion, he understood. “Okay...well, maybe sometime this week?”

      She shifted and shoved a thick mass of wet hair from her face. It still cascaded past her shoulders all in one length. Probably the same corn-silk blond, but now damp from rain it was the color of sand after the ocean washed over it. Man, he’d loved her hair. “I’m going to be pretty tied up now with this case.”

      “Too tied up you can’t eat?”

      “I work more than one job, Locke. I’m a part-time photographer. Family portraits, senior pictures, community events. You know, the kind you never wanted to be. The kind that boxed you into nine-to-five.”

      He had said that. There was too much adventure in life to settle down and do one single thing every day. Too many places to see, too much to experience. Not a single storm was the same. The thrill. The challenge. Locke did what he wanted, when he wanted. At one time, Greer was onboard and living that life with him. And they were having fun, were happy. “There’s no challenge in that,” he teased.

      “Try getting four children under the age of six to all sit still and face the camera and smile at the same time.” She half laughed, but it seemed sad. “It’s not the wild adventure you chase, but it’s satisfying. I like documenting family milestones and memories. I like keeping my town and county safe. I like the people. I like this life.”

      Whole lotta like. No mention of love. Once, she’d told Locke she loved chasing storms. Loved capturing them. Loved...him. “I’m glad you’re happy, Greer. I’ve never wanted anything else. I guess...guess it just stinks you couldn’t be happy with me.” There, he said it. “But I’m over it.” She needed to know he wasn’t going to be stalking her and groveling. She’d made clear what she wanted. And he wasn’t a part of it. “If that’s what’s holdin’ you back from having a meal or coffee with me. Friends is cool. I can do friends.”

      Greer cleared her throat, glanced away. “Good, okay,” she whispered. “I’ll...I’ll think about it.”

      Better than “get lost.” “Hey, you witnessed a murder tonight. This guy...are you worried he’ll come back?” She was clearly worried about something. Would he try to finish her off? The thought sent a blip of panic to his chest. “You want me to see you home?”

      “No.” A flash СКАЧАТЬ