Page 15 of A Dead End Fourth of July (Tiger’s Eye Mysteries #14)

Jack

Ispent the day driving around Jacksonville talking to gas station attendants.

Sam called, and he was more worried than I'd ever heard him, including the time vampires attacked the historical fort in Saint Augustine he'd been using as a training facility.

"She called her mom, Jack. My daughter said she's never heard Katie sound so bad.

" His voice hitched, and he took a deep breath and blew it out.

"She got more information, though. This guy—the awful ex—his name is Joe.

She wouldn't tell us his last name or anything else about him.

Just said she was tracking him and soon she'd be getting even and getting her own back. "

"What did she mean by that?"

"We have no idea. But she said she was heading to Dead End. I don't know when, but she's headed your way."

There wasn't much to say after that, so I stopped at a hardware store to make an important purchase. Then I headed for home, mentally planning a relaxing evening. Maybe I'd get pizza at Judd's on the way home.

And then Andy called to tell me that practically the entire McKee family tree had turned Tess's shop into a battleground.

I immediately called Tess, who didn't answer her phone.

I drove faster.