Page 12 of Dead Man's List

“Did Munro say anything more to you?” Navarro asked.

“No. But he voted against the New Horizons funding proposal. Luckily I’d garnered enough support from the other council members that he wasn’t a tiebreaker.”

Luck had nothing to do with it, Kit thought, pride warming her from the inside out. Sam was good with people, and he could convince a rock to dance.

He’d gotten through to Kit, after all, when she’d been determined to fight her attraction.

“I wonder if there are any other cases Munro tried to influence,” Kit murmured.

Connor groaned. “It’s not like there weren’t enough suspects already.”

“You keep saying that,” Navarro commented dryly. “Make a list. Start asking questions. If you need backup, I’ll call for someone. I want an update in four hours. I can hold the captain off that long. I’m sure he’s already heard from the mayor. Also, I heard that the wife is now home. Go talk to her.” He made a shooing motion at the door. “Off with you.”

Kit gathered her things and followed Connor and Sam out of Navarro’s office, hearing the door click loudly behind them.

They’d been dismissed.

“Can you sign out a car so we can notify the widow?” Kit asked Connor. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”

“Sure, if you’ll take lead on the notification. Bye, Sam. Don’t be a stranger.”

Kit turned to Sam with a sad smile. “I’m sorry our date was ruined.”

“You promised me another,” he said in a low tone that sent shivers over her skin.

She swallowed. “I did. I’ll think of something good.”

He brushed his finger over the back of her hand, discreetly enough that no one would have noticed had they been watching. “I think it’s my turn.”

She drew a breath. “You’re on. And, for the record, you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Munro was a snake.”

Sam’s brows lifted. “What did he do to you?”

“Nothing directly to me, but I’ve heard rumors of his dishonesty. Accepting bribes on building projects, mostly. But no one ever comes forward to file a formal complaint, and I’ve also heard that many of his constituents gush about how wonderful he is. Especially his female constituents. He was a good-looking man.”Before the animals ate his face,she thought, but kept that to herself because that seemed to have bothered Sam the most. “Like Navarro said, he was a charmer when he wanted to be. Particularly if he needed something from you. His expectation of quid pro quo from you didn’t surprise me, but I’m still so mad at what he did to you.”

Sam’s mouth curled at the corners. “Aw, shucks, ma’am.”

She laughed. “Go on. Enjoy what’s left of your day off. I have to go to work.”

He started for the door, then turned. “I can bring you supper. I’m going to your folks’ house to pick up Siggy and I’m sure your mother will insist on feeding me. She’ll make plates for both you and Connor. I have to come back this way, anyway.”

“Thank you,” she said, touched.This man. He’s too good for me.“Text before you leave Mom and Pop’s house, just in case we’re out interviewing someone.”

“I will. Be careful, Kit.”

“I will. And Sam? I had a good time today. Before the dogs found Munro, anyway. We should go back to the park sometime.”

He grinned. “I knew I could get you to like the desert.” He turned for the door, a distinct spring in his step.

I think you could get me to like too many things,she thought. Then she straightened her shoulders.

It was time to find out who’d killed Brooks Munro.

Rancho Penasquitos, California

Saturday, January 7, 6:30 p.m.

“Whoa.” Sitting in the passenger seat of their department car, Kit stared at the monstrosity that had been Brooks Munro’s home. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to the lives of the wealthy. It was a totally different world.