Simon Says Die

Devlin’s a precocious thirty. But it’s not age that defines how old you are. It’s attitude. Trust me, they all have the attitude of a randy college kid. Well, except for Matt maybe. He’s always serious.” His smile dimmed. “And Pierce. He’s serious too, even more now than he used to be. Something changed him a few months ago.” He turned the full intensity of his ice-blue stare on her.
    This was what he’d wanted to talk to her about. The family patriarch looking out for his son. And he obviously saw her as a threat.
    She swallowed and dug her fingernails into her palms. She looked away, out over the acres of winter-brown grass and oak trees that dotted the landscape behind the house. “It’s beautiful here. Pierce told me this is your house.”
    She heard his sigh, and from the corner of her eye she saw him turn to look out over the yard as well.
    â€œIt’s the family house. It belongs to all of us. I’ve lived here for . . . oh, twenty-five years now, give or take. Most of the time it doesn’t seem that long. Other times, it seems a whole lot longer. Pierce said you were from New York?”
    â€œOriginally, I’m from the Florida Panhandle. But when my family moved to New York, I fell in love with the city.”
    â€œAnd yet, you moved to Savannah. Any particular reason?”
    She glanced around, wondering what was taking Pierce so long. “My brother thought I’d like it here. He’s the reason I bought my house.”
    â€œWhat kind of house?”
    â€œAn old colonial, on East Gaston Street.”
    â€œNice part of town. What square are you near?”
    She could well imagine this man facing a witness in court. He was quite good at interrogating. “The closest square is Calhoun. I’m less than a block from Forsyth Park, between Drayton and Abercorn.”
    â€œYou aren’t far from that amazing center fountain at the end of the park then. I used to roam the historic district whenever I had a chance to get away from work. That’s how I know Lieutenant Hamilton, by the way, from the courthouse. We were often on opposite sides of the law, but we’ve always been friends outside the courtroom.”
    She clutched the railing and waited for his next question.
    â€œI know about the shooting. We all do. I also know a few more details the rest don’t know.”
    She stiffened and turned to face him. “What details?”
    â€œEverything.”
    She glanced back at the house and crossed her arms. “Hamilton told you he thinks I’m some hysterical female who’s faking threatening notes and believing her stalker is her dead husband. Let me guess. You agree.”
    â€œI didn’t say that.”
    â€œYou didn’t have to.”
    â€œWhat I think is that you have a ghost in your past that is coming back to haunt you. Whether that ghost is your dead husband, or something you did, remains to be seen.”
    There was no mistaking the threat in his deep tone. “Why don’t you just speak plainly? Are you trying to warn me about something, sir?”
    â€œThat depends.”
    â€œOn?”
    â€œOn whether you hurt Pierce again.”

 
    Chapter Twelve
    T HE DOOR BEHIND Alex slid open and Pierce stepped outside. Madison saw his jaw tighten when he looked at her, as if he realized what Alex was doing.
    Interrogating her.
    She tried to gather her composure, and offered a small smile.
    â€œYou’re supposed to be grilling steaks, Alex, not Madison.” Pierce eyed the other man with suspicion and set a bucket of iced-down beer by the railing. Austin wheeled up beside him with a second bucket in his lap. Pierce grabbed the bucket and set it down beside the first one.
    When Pierce stepped toward Alex looking like he was ready to do battle, Madison grabbed his arm.
    â€œAlex was just telling me about your family.”
    Pierce narrowed his eyes at her. He didn’t look convinced.
    Alex smiled, his eyes mirroring his approval. “Austin, you need to take your meds before we eat.”
    Austin’s smile dimmed, and he said a few choice words beneath his breath as he wheeled around and headed back inside.
    â€œYou shouldn’t treat him like a kid,” Pierce said.
    â€œYou’re right, but he hero-worships you, and I didn’t want him upset. It’s not good for him.”
    â€œWhy would he be upset?”
    â€œYou got shot. I want