Page 54 of Dead Man's List

He gave her an impatient look. “I think you know about that already. The two were going at it hot and heavy a few years ago. Afternoon delight in his office and all that. The staff all over the building knew. That woman would leave here with a smirk.”

“You didn’t approve?”

“He was married. And Kavanaugh’s…well, she’s just awful. I’m not sure what Fitzgerald thought about it, although that was heartily discussed, let me tell you. Admins, council staff, even guys in the mail room. Everyone had an opinion. It couldn’t have made Fitzgerald too happy, having to share him.”

“So Fitzgerald and Munro were involved?”

“Of course. Everyone knew about that, too. Fitzgerald is this ice queen. Holds herself like she owns the earth. Never threw herself at Munro like the Kavanaugh woman, but they were totally doing it.”

“Did you see them in the act or is that your opinion?”

“My opinion based on twenty-five years as a cop.”

“It does seem…convenient that she followed him here from their old job.”

“Exactly. They both seemed to be living a good life. Fitzgerald looked like ground hamburger this morning, she’d been crying so hard. I was surprised to see her here, honestly. I thought she would have taken the day off. I didn’t think she’d let us see her that torn up.”

Kit thought that Veronica Fitzgerald had probably come in to search Munro’s office for whatever it was that she’d been unable to find. “Can you call me if you think of anything else, even if it’s not concrete?”

“Absolutely. And for now, I can have my guys watch the monitors. If anyone leaves through any door other than that one”—he pointed at the front door—“we’ll let you know.”

“Thank you, Mr.Macek.”

“You’re welcome, Detective McKittrick.”

Connor had the car waiting at the curb, so she jogged over and slid into the empty back seat. She couldn’t avoid looking at Sam any longer. He was in the front passenger seat, twisted so that his gaze was locked on her face.

She readied herself for the disappointment. But there was none in the green eyes behind his Clark Kent glasses. They were clear and filled with respect.

Kit exhaled. “You okay, Sam?”

“I was going to ask you the same question. You had to be hard on her in there. Can’t have been easy.”

So he understood. She was nearly dizzy with the flood of relief. “Not my warm and fuzzy side.”

“Your awesome side,” Connor corrected. “Now, all awesomeness aside—get it?—we owe the boss a call back.”

San Diego, California

Monday, January 9, 10:30 a.m.

Sam listened quietly as Kit and Connor brought Navarro up to speed with what they’d learned from Veronica Fitzgerald and the security guard.

None of what they were saying surprised Sam at all. He’d known Veronica was a snake from the moment he’d first interacted with her, back when he was trying to schedule a meeting with Munro about the New Horizons funding. The woman oozed arrogant malice.

No, what had surprised Sam was Kit’s reluctance to meet his eyes as they’d left Veronica’s office. She’d consciously avoided him. And when she did look at him, her eyes had been filled with something close to fear. And shame.

She’d thought he’d disapprove of her tactics with Veronica Fitzgerald. That he’d thought her too rough on a clearly grieving woman. The opposite was true. He’d known what kind of woman Veronica was and Kit put exactly the right kind of pressure on her.

They’d waited outside city hall until several unmarked cars had arrived. Leaving them to guard the exits—and to follow Veronica when she inevitably made her escape—Connor had begun their drive to the prison where Ronald Tasker was serving life without parole for murdering his wife.

Sam was wary about meeting the man face-to-face. He had, after all, been the reason Tasker had stood trial.

Well, that wasn’t true. Tasker had stood trial because there had been enough evidence for the prosecutor to charge him. But had Sam caved to Munro’s demands, Tasker could have gone for an insanity plea. Still not pleasant, but not nearly as bad as a murder charge.

Sam wasn’t looking forward to this interview.

He pushed the concerns away and turned around in his seat to study Kit, who was bringing the call with Navarro to a close.