Simon Says Die

here.”
    â€œDon’t you have some professional pictures from your wedding? Maybe one of those is a close-up.”
    â€œWe eloped to Vegas. The only picture I got there was fuzzy and out of focus.”
    â€œVegas? You?” His voice was laced with surprise.
    â€œIs that so hard to believe?”
    He stared at her intently, as if he could divine her thoughts if he stared hard enough. “I can’t see you wanting a Vegas wedding.”
    â€œExactly what kind of wedding do you think I’d want?”
    â€œNothing flashy, like Vegas. Nothing traditional either. Something flirty, fun. Outdoors—a beach or a garden, maybe under an oak tree. You wouldn’t want a lot of guests, mainly family, a few friends. The dress would be easy to move in. You’d want to be comfortable and free, not restricted by a long, tight gown.”
    She stared at him, too surprised to say anything. She’d hated her Vegas wedding. She’d only agreed to it because Damon had been so excited about the idea of going to the casinos. Going to Vegas was his dream, not hers. If she could have gotten married the way she wanted, she’d have had an outdoor wedding, much like what he’d just described.
    How could he know her so well when they’d known each other for such a short amount of time? She frowned and dropped her gaze. She flipped a few more pages in the album, then froze.
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” He looked over her shoulder, instantly in tune with her and realizing something was wrong.
    â€œThey’re gone. They should have been right here.” She pointed at a blank page. “There were four pictures on this page that my daddy took when we got back from Vegas. I remember, because my mom insisted I put on my wedding dress and let them take some pictures, even though Damon was fussing the entire time.”
    His eyes narrowed. “You’re sure they were in this album?”
    She pointed to the rectangular outlines on the page where the pictures used to be. “I’m positive.”
    â€œYou wouldn’t have taken them out? Maybe destroyed them after he died?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œDo you have any good pictures of your husband?”
    â€œI already looked through the other albums. This is the last one.” She quickly flipped through the rest of it. “Every picture of Damon is either blurry or . . . missing.”
    â€œWhen was the last time you looked at the albums?”
    â€œWhen I packed up my Manhattan apartment and moved here.”
    He gently but firmly pulled her hands back from the cover and set the album onto a box.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” she asked.
    He grabbed her hand and pulled her up, then tugged her behind him as he headed toward the door. “I’m getting you out of this house. Now.”

 
    Chapter Ten
    F IFTEEN MINUTES LATER, Pierce stood behind a patrol car next to a policeman. Madison was sitting inside the back of the car, glaring at both of them through the rear window. She wasn’t happy one bit about being locked up in the car. And Pierce didn’t have to hear her to know what she was saying.
    Her hand gestures were perfectly clear.
    Hiding his grin behind a fake cough, he turned his back on her and leaned against the rear bumper. “Thanks, Officer Crowley. I appreciate you keeping Mrs. McKinley safe while Hamilton oversees the investigation inside the house.”
    â€œNo problem.” The officer cast a wary look toward Madison. “I don’t think I’ve seen a woman that angry in a long time. You’re going to have your hands full later.”
    â€œI don’t mind,” Pierce said, and he meant it. He’d take whatever abuse she wanted to dish out if it meant keeping her safe. “I’ll check on the techs and see how it’s going. I’ll let you know when Hamilton gives the all-clear to let Mrs. McKinley back in the house.”
    â€œYes, sir. I think I’ll just wait outside the car. Feels pretty good today. The weather’s been fairly mild for January so far.”
    Pierce laughed and the young officer smiled in return. They both knew why he wasn’t getting into his car.
    Pierce headed up the front walk and went inside the house. Another uniformed officer was standing in the family room with Lieutenant Hamilton. They both turned around when Pierce approached. The uniformed policeman nodded in response to something the