Murder Deja Vu

that he got when on the verge of figuring out a kink in a case, similar to an arthritic’s bones prognosticating rain on a sunny day. “My money’s on Minette. I doubt he killed her himself, but I wouldn’t put it past him to hire someone. Proving it won’t be easy. I wish I could figure out his motive.”
    “Who knows with men like Minette? Revenge, maybe? His ex-wife is having an affair with the accused, a man he threatened because he wouldn’t build him a goddamn fireplace. A man I beat in court. People have killed for a lot less. Or maybe he knows he’s gone as far as he can go professionally, and he’s looking for that one last big chance. Nail Reece for two murders, then run for governor or senator. Who knows?”
    “When you get back to Boston, pull in a few markers and see if you can find someone who knows about Minette’s case in Charlotte. I doubt we’ll get anywhere, but there might be a pattern. Meanwhile, I’ll dig around here, see what I can find out. Why did the latest victim lie and say Reece and Rayanne Johnson were lovers? You can bet money’s involved. Robert Minette’s money.”
    “Okay, darling. Whatever you say.”
    “I love it when you’re subservient. Come here.” He pulled Jeraldine onto the bed. “We have a little time. Cross-examine me.”

Chapter Nineteen

Part Two

    D ana threw a few pairs of jeans into an overnight case, along with a couple of tops, a sweater, toiletries, underwear, and tennis shoes.
    “Not bad,” Reece said, checking his watch. “Under five minutes.”
    “Smart-ass.” She grabbed her cell phone.
    “Leave it. It has a GPS tracking system. Might as well leave a note where we’re going.”
    She threw it on the bed. “Good thinking.”
    “I learned a few things in Hotel Norfolk, along with reading thrillers.”
    She bussed him on the lips. “I’ll close up the house.”
    “I’ll start the truck, see how it sounds, but first—” He pulled her to him and kissed her hard. “I needed to do that.”
    She touched his face, and they stared at each other for a long minute. He captured her hand, kissed the palm, then let it slide from his as he turned and went into the garage. Her insides sparked. Gathering herself, she checked to make sure all the lights were off and went into the garage from the kitchen. Reece was behind the wheel.
    “Looks like it’s in pristine condition. When I turned the key in the ignition, it purred like a kitten.”
    “This old Ford was my dad’s pride and joy. He died years ago, but I could never bring myself to sell it because I promised David, my younger son, that he could have it if he kept up his grades. He doesn’t need it at school, so it’s been in a rented garage all this time. When I built the house, I brought it here. Every few weeks, I’d start it up. The registration’s current.” She clicked the automatic garage opener, and the door wheezed up on its runners. “I’ll put my Jeep inside. They’ll have to break into the house to see what’s here. That’ll set off the alarm and give them a fit.”
    Reece smiled. “You’re good. I didn’t think of anything but getting the hell out of here.” He kissed her. “You sure you don’t want to change your mind?”
    “Positive. Pull on out. I’ll follow you home so you can leave your truck there. Maybe it’ll throw them off for a while.
    Reece drove the pickup out of the garage. Dana parked her Jeep inside and closed the garage door. Then he got into his pickup, and she followed him to his house.
    He parked in his yard, went inside to pack a few things, then got behind the wheel of the Ford to take the first shift. “Okay, we’re set. Let’s hope we make it out of North Carolina.”
    “Where are we going, Reece?”
    “To Lynn, a city north of Boston on the coast, where an old friend of mine lives. Jeraldine will figure it out, although with us on the run, she won’t want to know.”
    “If I know Robert, he’ll contact the prison.”
    “So will the sheriff. I met him once, and he struck me as smart and efficient. One more thing, Dana. I haven’t been officially charged, but they’ve issued a warrant for my arrest, and you’ll be an accessory. The minute we cross the state line, if we get that far, the feds will be in on it.”
    “I know. I lived with a lawyer for twenty years. I know something about the law.”
    “Then I’ll ask you one last time.”
    “Don’t,” she said with stubborn resolve. “Are you going to call this friend