He Kills Me, He Kills Me Not

medical examiner’s tests were able to confirm the burn marks on Carolyn O’Donnell’s body were from a taser, just like the taser he used in the Branson/Stockton case.”
    “Yeah, but it’s not like he’d use the same taser four years apart. No one’s that dumb. I sure wouldn’t do that,” Riley said.
    Logan exchanged an uneasy glance with Pierce. He hated being suspicious of Riley, but once the doubt had planted itself in his mind, he couldn’t shake it. Everything Riley did or said now made Logan more suspicious. He hoped the Feds would finish their investigation into Riley’s alibis soon. If Riley wasn’t involved, then Logan could clear his mind of that worry and concentrate on other leads.
    What few leads they had.
    When the elevator opened and they stepped out into the parking garage, Logan’s cell phone started ringing. He reached into his jacket pocket just as Pierce and Riley’s phones began to ring. The three men shared a startled glance, then took off in a sprint toward Logan’s car.
    “Y ou’re a material witness,” Pierce said to Amanda from his perch on the couch next to Logan. “We can force you into protective custody.”
    Amanda’s nails dug into the arms of the recliner. “If you’re going to lock someone up, lock up that reporter for trespassing.”
    “No one’s going to jail,” Logan said.
    “But, Pierce said he would—”
    “He’s bluffing. He can’t declare you a material witness without a suspect in custody. No one’s going to make you do anything you don’t want to do.”
    “Thank you,” she said to Logan. She narrowed her eyes at the FBI agent, letting him know she didn’t appreciate his threats.
    “Pierce,” Logan said, his voice hard. “See if Riley has found out who leaked Amanda’s address to the press.”
    “Riley doesn’t need my help,” Pierce said, his voice equally hard.
    Logan slowly turned to face the FBI agent. Something silent passed between them. Pierce mumbled beneath his breath and threw his hands up in the air. He left the room without another word, the front door closing behind him with a sharp click.
    “Sit with me,” Logan said. He stood and held his hand out. “We’ll figure out what to do. Together.”
    She didn’t hesitate or flinch away like she’d done that night he’d stood in her kitchen doorway. She put her hand in his, immediately feeling secure as his warm fingers wrapped around hers. He led her to a seat on the couch beside him, surprising her by not pulling his hand away.
    “How bad is it?” she asked. “Does the entire Panhandle know where I live now?”
    “It’s worse than that. You’ve gone national. All the major networks picked up the story. Your front lawn is full of reporters and the street’s lining up with news vans.”
    She groaned and shook her head. “What are my options?”
    “Obviously, staying here in your house isn’t viable anymore. We need to put you in a safe house.”
    “Hawaii would be nice.”
    Logan’s mouth tilted up in a lopsided grin, doing funny things to her heart. “I’m afraid that’s not in my department’s budget. How about somewhere close by, like Tallahassee or Pensacola?”
    “Why do I have to leave Shadow Falls? Can’t I just stay in a motel or something?”
    “I thought you’d be thrilled to get out of town. It’s the safest option.”
    She tugged her hand from his and stood, too keyed-up to sit still. She crossed to the fireplace and paced in front of the couch, hugging her arms around her waist. Logan sat, quietly watching her, waiting. He probably thought she was crazy to hesitate about leaving. Maybe he was right.
    When she’d mentioned Hawaii she’d only been half-joking. The idea of leaving town was vastly appealing. But leaving would delay the computer work she was doing to help Logan with the investigation. Still, she wasn’t a martyr. She didn’t want to make it easy for the killer to find her. “Do you think I should leave town? You still think I can help with the investigation don’t you? Besides the database, you think I might still remember something that will help, right?”
    He considered her question for a moment, his mouth drawn into a tight line. “I’d be lying if I said I wanted you to leave. There aren’t many leads in this case. Right now you’re my best chance at catching this guy. I have to believe that after being with him for three days there’s something else you know about him, some kind of clue that will help me