Smoky Mountain Investigation. Annslee Urban

      A shrug from Dave. “Not that I’m aware.”

      Kylie noted a couple more details on her pad.

      Nick’s mind raced with questions. But only one seemed pertinent. “The victim was bleeding from a wound on the neck, correct?”

      When Dave nodded, Kylie finished his question. “Is that what he died from?”

      “Seems to be. His throat was slit and he bled through his carotid artery.”

      Several seconds passed. Nick waited for Dave to elaborate further. When he didn’t, Nick had to ask. “Slit from ear to ear?”

      A hesitation, then Dave nodded.

      Kylie stopped writing. Her gaze snagged Nick’s and her face paled. “Exactly like Conrad.”

      “Afraid so.” Dave’s voice went low. “We’re already looking into a possible link to Conrad’s unsolved murder.”

      Nick’s heart dropped like a piece of lead to his stomach.

      That was what he was afraid of.

      * * *

      “He’s back. I know he is.” Kylie’s rapid pace didn’t slow as she headed for her car. “Why would he come back after all these years? And why would he contact me?”

      “Nothing’s conclusive yet. He still could be a copycat looking for press. Everything about Conrad’s murder is public knowledge.” Nick lengthened his stride to keep up with her.

      At the car, Kylie halted and blinked up at him. “Slit throat, yes. But from ear to ear... Only a few of us knew about that.”

      “Kylie, word travels. But even if this was Conrad’s killer, he may not strike again for another ten years.”

      She threw up her hands. “Or maybe he’s already picked his next victim?”

      Even as Nick tried to console her, to relieve her concerns, the same questions plagued him.

      “Just be careful. Okay?”

      Kylie narrowed her eyes on him. “So you do think I’m in danger.”

      Nick held up his hand. “Kylie, I didn’t say that. Although it’s never a bad idea to play it safe.”

      She swung hair back from her face and huffed softly. “This whole situation creeps me out.”

      “It should.”

      She gave a small laugh. “At least my reaction is appropriate.”

      He smiled. That was the Kylie he remembered. Always a trouper. “By the way, do you have a security system at home?”

      She brushed a soft brown curl behind her ear with an uneasy gesture. “Not yet. I recently moved into my grandmother’s old house.”

      He nodded, recalling the small timber-frame home, nestled in the trees and bordered by national forest. “She had a great view of the Smokies, I recall.”

      “Still does. As beautiful as ever. Although rural and isolated. My closest neighbors are two acres away.”

      “Yeah. I remember that, too.”

      Nick’s conscience would never let him forget how he’d once turned his back on Kylie and walked away. He’d already let her down once when she needed him. And if anything happened to her now...well, he hated to fathom that. “I don’t think it’s a bad idea to err on the side of caution and stay somewhere else for a few days, let things blow over. My brother has an extra room at his house. I’m bunking next door in the apartment above the store.”

      She rubbed at the wrinkle that formed between her brows. “Thanks for the offer, Nick. I’m going to try to keep things in perspective, like you said. Besides, Dave had that tracer put on my phone line. If the creep calls again, hopefully, they’ll track him down in short order.”

      Optimistic, but not realistic. Nick breathed deep. “Keeping things in perspective doesn’t mean you can’t take precautions.”

      “If things get more harried, I’ll consider your offer. How is Steven, anyway?”

      “Still in the hospital and going through rehab.”

      Kylie curved her lips in a sympathetic smile that any starlet would envy. Lovely curved lips, luscious and full, eminently kissable... Nick blinked. He squared his shoulders and lifted his chin. He wasn’t going there. Once his brother was ready to get back to work again, he’d be on his way. He had no intention of hanging around.

      “Speaking of Steven.” Nick cleared his throat. “I should check in on him and get back to the store.”

      Her brow creased. For an instant she just stared at him, and then her face relaxed a bit. “Sorry you had to get involved in this mess. But I do appreciate your help and concern.”

      Before he had the chance to tell her he was glad to be of assistance, Kylie turned away, pulling open the car door and slipping behind the wheel.

      “Say hello to Steven for me,” she called out her open window as she revved up the engine and backed out of the parking spot.

      “Be careful and don’t forget about the room offer,” he called after her, his words trailing, carried away by the breeze.

      Tension strummed through every muscle, reminding him to keep a close eye on Kylie.

      * * *

      There was little traffic, so the ride to the hospital took only a few minutes. The woman at the information desk directed Nick to the first set of elevators and told him to get off on the third floor, the rehab unit.

      The door to Steven’s room stood ajar. Nick inched it farther open and heard chuckles from the other side of the pulled curtain. Stepping farther into the room, he cleared his throat. A tall blonde dressed in green scrubs yanked the fabric drapery back.

      Steven sat in a reclining chair in the corner of the room, his casted leg elevated and his arm in a sling resting on a pillow. His face lit up. “Bro, welcome.”

      Nick stepped closer. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

      “No, no.” Steven waved his good arm toward the woman in scrubs. “This is my physical therapist, Amy. We just had a therapy session and she was helping me get comfortable.”

      Nick nodded. “I see.”

      “Well, Steven, I’ll check back with you later.” Amy brushed past Nick and slipped out the door.

      “See you later, Amy,” Steven called after her. His gaze bounced to Nick. “I was expecting you sooner. I thought you got into town last night.”

      “I did. But by the time I got to your place it was too late to call or come by.” Nick moved closer to his brother and extended his hand. “I’d give you a hug, but I’m afraid I don’t have Amy’s gentle touch.”

      “No problem.” Steven laughed as he shook Nick’s hand. “Good to see you. I hate that your plane got in late. I know you had a long trip.”

      “Actually, we landed on time. I just ran into an old friend.”

      “Nice.” Steven chuckled. “I’m laid up in bed and you ditched me for an old friend.”

      “I wouldn’t say I ditched you, although it looks like you’ve been in good hands.” Nick lifted a brow.

      “Oh, yeah. What can I say? Women love me.” The pleasant smirk on Steven’s face made Nick laugh.

      “So who was this old friend you ran into?” Steven winced as he adjusted his sling.

      Nick pulled a chair to the side of Steven’s recliner, angling it toward him. “Kylie Harper.”

      “Kylie?” Steven eyes rounded. “I would think she’s more than an old friend.”