The Girls in the Snow (Nikki Hunt #1) - Stacy Green Page 0,110

waited on the sidewalk. She had her phone to her ear and looked angry. After a couple minutes, John exited the back door in clear fury. The two argued for several minutes, and the argument ended with Mindy pointing her finger at John’s face. Whatever she’d said rendered him speechless.

“Mindy knew what he’d done to my parents because her husband told her. She probably demanded money for silence. I don’t know if Maddie confronted him about the pictures, but he must have known Amy went through them. Between Mindy’s information and the pictures of me, he was nervous. Did you get his financials?”

“He withdrew five thousand dollars from his personal savings account that day,” Liam said. “Then two thousand the following month, same day.”

“Mindy’s house was still foreclosed on. Her husband must have left her with a lot of debt.”

“Several coworkers at Roan said Bob Vance liked expensive things and tried to keep up with John’s tastes. He probably has credit card debt, and the collectors came after Mindy.”

“Where’s Hardin?”

“On leave,” Liam said. “And probably well on his way to retirement.”

Nikki was still pissed that Hardin hadn’t been at the station. He’d have to face her eventually, especially when the DNA results finally came back.

“Unless he’s got a secret account, John hasn’t made any withdrawals since he took off,” Liam said. “No activity on his bank or credit cards.”

“John’s used to living in comfort,” Nikki said. “I can’t see him on the run for very long.”

A deputy poked her head into the breakroom. “Someone’s here to see you, Agent Hunt.”

Nikki slowly got off the couch and followed the deputy into the lobby. Ice and aspirin had helped her head, but her entire body ached. Tomorrow would be even worse.

Her heartbeat stuttered when she saw Rory pacing.

“Jesus, Nicole.” He crossed the lobby in three long strides and wrapped his arms around her. “Are you okay?”

Too overwhelmed to speak, she leaned her head against his chest and nodded. The effect he had on her was stronger than any medicine. The tension drained from her shoulders, and she was suddenly exhausted.

“What are you doing here?”

“You really thought I’d get that text and just wait for answers? I knew you were missing. God, I was so worried.” He brushed her hair back and inspected her face. “Why is your lip swollen?”

“The knot on the back of my head is worse,” she said. “Mild concussion. But I’ll be fine.”

Sleepiness began to crash over her like a tidal wave.

Fifty-One

Nikki slept until nearly noon. She vaguely remembered asking Rory to stay at the hotel and the feel of his warm body next to hers before succumbing to her exhaustion. She was disappointed when she woke up and saw the note he’d left on her pillow, but he had to be on a job site early. Nikki texted him for the address so she could stop and say goodbye before heading home. The idea of not spending tonight with him bothered her more than it should, but getting to lounge around at home with her daughter would more than make up for it.

She stopped at the station to check in with Miller, but he’d stayed late working on paperwork last night and hadn’t come in yet. Hardin’s office door was locked. Nikki texted Miller to let him know she’d like to sit down with him and the district attorney before charges were officially filed. She intended to make sure Mindy was charged with the murders of Madison and Janelle.

“Glad to see you’re all right, Agent Hunt.” The deputy who’d been with Miller when she’d first arrived in Stillwater stood next to the administration desk, chatting with the desk sergeant. “Nice work.”

“Thank you, deputy. You guys stay warm.”

Outside, Nikki ducked her head from the frigid air, but her face still ached from the cold as she made her way to the jeep. Wind gusted between the cars, bringing with it the cloying scent of cologne.

“John.”

He was sitting on the curb in front of her jeep, hiding in plain sight. A wool hat hid his blond hair, and several days’ worth of beard made him look haggard. He looked up at her with bleary eyes.

“I saw the news. It’s my fault. All of it.”

“You’re right. My parents weren’t the only ones who suffered because of you.” Nikki couldn’t hold the question in any longer. “Did you put liquid ecstasy in my drink? Is that why I passed out?”

“I just wanted to see what would happen,” John said. “I took the