Risky Reunion. Lenora Worth

took that as a compliment. “I’ve learned to take care of myself. I didn’t have any other choice.”

      “I can see that, too, but this is a real threat and we’re dealing with a dangerous man. And this time, I’m not letting you go anywhere—not without me.”

      The phone rang again. Eloise pushed past Jackson to answer it. He followed her back downstairs, a finger to his lips. “Be cool,” he cautioned.

      Eloise thought her head might split open from trying to be cool. Taking a deep breath, she answered on the third ring. “Hello?”

      “It’s me again.” Verdie. And she sounded strange, her voice raspy.

      “What is it?” Eloise asked, fear pouring over her. She could feel the sweat popping out down her spine. She knew what was wrong already. She knew and she was helpless to do anything about it.

      “The police were just here, honey.” Verdie inhaled a deep sob. “It’s about our little Meredith, and it’s bad. It’s so bad.”

      “What?” Eloise looked down at the floor, acutely aware that Jackson was hanging on her every word. Her stomach clenched, her heart rate increased. She felt as if she’d just finished a long marathon. But she knew this run was just beginning all over again. “What is it?”

      “They found Meredith dead this morning, Ellie. In the woods just beyond her apartment. Two officers were here asking questions. It’s awful, just so awful.”

      Eloise found a chair, managed to sit down. “Oh, no. I can’t believe that. I—” She stopped, unable to lie to her friend. “Do they know what happened?”

      “No. They asked a lot of questions, took notes. They don’t know and if they do, they ain’t talking. Her husband is pretty shook up, according to these two. You know he’s a cop, remember?”

      “I remember.” Shook up. Eloise remembered seeing Randall Parker last night. He was standing over his wife, crying. He was sorry, all right. Sorry that his unbridled anger and unyielding control had caused him to kill a beautiful young woman. But now, she imagined he was shook up because he had seen someone up on that landing last night. He’d obviously moved the body and now he was probably afraid that person would come forward soon to reveal him as the killer.

      Had he already figured out it was her?

      “I remember,” she said again, her mind screaming the truth. “I’ll be right there, Verdie.”

      “No, don’t come. We’ll just shut down for the day, if I can get rid of this pretty-boy coffee-slurper. He seems mighty interested in what’s going on. Must be one of those crime junkies. It’s just so horrible.” Verdie sniffed then started crying all over again.

      “Get him out of there and close up,” Eloise said, forcing back the tears that would come soon. “I’ll come down—”

      “Honey, don’t bother. The cops are on their way to your house to question you. I gotta go.”

      Verdie hung up while Eloise stared at the phone. Then she turned to Jackson. “I need to leave, Jackson. Right now. Something’s come up at the diner.”

      But a knock at the door halted that plan.

      Jackson summed things up pretty quickly. “What’s going on, Eloise? Has someone threatened you already?”

      “No,” she said, thinking it was useless to lie to him. He’d stay on her until she told him everything. Better to get it out in the open. At least she could trust him—and he did have the authority to help her. She hoped. “I can’t say much now, but…something happened last night. Something really bad.”

      The knocking continued and Duff barked a response to each knock, impatient with all the visitors this morning.

      Jackson held his hands on his hips, a frown burrowing across his forehead. “Eloise?”

      She pushed toward him, then leaned close. “One of my best friends was killed last night,” she said on a whisper. “And I’m pretty sure her husband killed her. I went to help her, but I was too late.” Then she explained what Verdie had told her. “That’s why I wasn’t at work.”

      Jackson’s eyes widened as he processed what she was saying. “Is that the cops at the door? Or him?”

      She bobbed her head, then grabbed his arm. “Her husband is a cop. I can’t tell them what I know. If I do, he’ll come after me. I can’t step forward and tell the truth, not now. Maybe not ever. I can’t risk it, Jackson. You have to help me.”

      She watched as he went into action. Clicking his communication device, he asked, “GQ, what’s the status at your location?”

      The knocks persisted but Jackson held up a hand to keep her still. “Got it. Yes, I just heard. Just get out of there now before you blow your cover.”

      He lifted a brow toward Eloise, grunted, then sprang toward the door. “Open it,” he said, “and answer their questions.” Then he whispered a quick command to his team. “Stand down and listen in. Don’t move until you hear from me.”

      With a quick motion, he pulled her toward the door. “Work with me, Eloise. You have to make this look good. Just let them ask their questions but don’t give away anything right now.” Then he said into her ear, “And after they leave, you’d better tell me everything, so I can make sure you live to see your daughter again.”