The Third Grave (Savannah #4) - Lisa Jackson Page 0,63

more forthcoming. Reed, though, was more introspective, held things in, waited for just the right moment, or so he thought, but then she was rash, she knew it and owned it, and he was more methodical and careful. So their arguments tended to be one-sided and more than once she’d accused him of “holding back” or “not coming clean” or “being silently judgmental.”

But she did feel more than a little bit of guilt. Hadn’t she just been at the Beaumont estate, essentially going behind his back? “Crap,” she muttered. What a mess.

She didn’t doubt he was working, not for a second, because this was his MO when he was on a big case, but she also knew he was avoiding coming home, giving them both some space, some time to cool off.

If that were possible.

The phone rang and she expected to see Reed’s number, but it was another anonymous set of digits. She wouldn’t have answered, but she had several calls out to numbers she didn’t have memorized, people who had known the Duval family. “Hello?”

“Nikki Gillette?” a female voice asked and before she could confirm, went on, “Hi, this is Sherry Culver, we’ve met before. I’m with the Charleston Star, working on an article about the Duval homicides, and I’d like to ask you a few questions. You were there when the bodies were found on the Beaumont estate outside of Savannah, right?”

Nikki was stunned. “I can’t talk about—”

“Yes, yes, I know you’re married to the lead investigator, but since you’re part of the press, I thought you’d be able to give me a little more information. You were injured, I know, and a police officer unfortunately died that day while trying to save you, right?”

“I said I have no comment.” Nikki was starting to get steamed and realized how it felt to be on the receiving end of an interview by a pushy reporter.

“Listen, Nikki, this can be on the down low. You know how it works, I quote ‘a source close to the investigation’ and no one’s the wiser that you gave me the information.”

“No, really, I can’t.”

“Hey, from one woman reporter to another? We all need a break here. We’re all in this together, you know—”

“From one reporter to another?” Nikki repeated. “Right. Well, my answer is still ‘No comment! ’ ”

Flustered, she clicked off. Juggling her laptop bag and the takeout sack, she was irritated and a little humiliated. How many times had she been on the other end of that particular conversation, trying to persuade information from an unwilling source? She was still silently going over the conversation in her mind, trying to figure out how she could have handled the call as she unlocked the door and let herself into the house.

I always knew the press would be involved, that I would have to tread carefully, as if I were stepping through a nest of vipers, but I didn’t expect anyone like that damned muleheaded Nikki Gillette. I hadn’t anticipated I’d have to deal with the likes of her, as well as all the others, when it happened. Somehow, I’ll have to remove her from the situation, but that will be tricky since she’s married to Detective Pierce Reed. He’s enough of a problem, but I can handle him. It’s his brash, ultra-curious wife who is the real stumbling block, the serious threat. That said, I’m more than up to the challenge. Bring it on!

CHAPTER 15

Nikki’s dog and cat greeted her enthusiastically, Mikado spinning in sharp circles, his tail wagging crazily, while Jennings, a little less wild, wound figure eights between her legs. She took the time to put her things down and pick up the tabby, nuzzling his face while he purred, then paying attention to Mikado, bending down and getting her face washed. “I missed you, too,” she told them, and tried to ignore Mikado’s eager eyes as he stared at the white bag, his nose in the air sniffing. “Not this time, bud,” she said.

Instead, she fed both dog and cat their usual meals, Mikado scarfing up his kibble from his bowl set next to his crate in the laundry room, Jennings picking at his similar meal placed on the counter and out of the dog’s reach. Jennings flicked his striped tail in disgust.

“Sorry. It’s what the vet ordered,” Nikki explained. Jennings, though he could still hop onto the washer and dryer and displayed more than a spark of interest in the birds who bathed in the fountain in the