Page 52 of Justice for Samara

“Then I’ll make it happen. Learn anything from Stadler?”

“I’ll let you be the judge of that. Listen to this.” Michael laid his phone on the desk and motioned to the chair beside it, so Carter sat and Michael hit “Play.” The sheriff listened intently. When the recording was over, he grinned. “Whoa. You’re slick.”

“I dunno about?”

“No, really. That was slick. He thought you wanted him in here tohelphim. And I noticed something.”

Michael smirked. “No mention of his wife?”

“Exactly. Not until you asked. I’m almost positive that’s her body at the medical examiner’s office.”

“I am too. But there’s something else. Saying she’s on a cruise with her sister?”

“Yeah?”

“Carter, she doesn’thavea sister.”

Carter grinned. “Well, look at that. AlexStadler lies. What a big shock. By the way, Samara’s at home working so she’s not in his sights?”

“Yeah. Watson said he stood on the porch until he heard her lock the door, and the guys will be driving by there from time to time.”

“Good. Does she have a panic button?”

“No, but I’ve got one ordered. Of course, she’ll need internet before it’ll work, and they haven’t come to install it yet. And by the way, I want to be there when they do. I wouldn’t put it past Stadler to try to pay someone to come in and hurt her.”

“You’re probably right. Lying bastard. But good work on your part. I made the right decision when I promoted you.”

“Thanks, but I wish I knew a little more about detective work,” Michael said, thinking about Samara.

“That’s why we hired Futrell, to do that stuff so you don’t have to. Don’t worry. You work with her long enough, you’ll pick up a lot of it.”

“I’m hoping so. Thanks, Carter.”

“Thank you. I know you think you’re falling behind, but you’re doing a great job. Let me know if you need anything, and I’ll let you know when Cruz will be here.”

“Thanks.” His boss disappeared out the door, closing it behind him, and Michael sat there, trying to quiet his mind. What a hideously fucked-up situation.

Maybe he’d get some help from the tall Texan. Then he snickered. He wouldn’t mind getting help straight from Hell as long as it didn’t set everything it touched on fire.

* * *

“I’m leaving the office.What do you want me to do?”

The smile that split her face was so big that it hurt. “Come here. Please.”

His voice was molten sex through the phone, so hot that it made everything between her legs tingle. “Be glad to.”

“Thanks, babe. See you when you get here.”

“Hey, what about dinner?”

She sighed. “I hadn’t even thought about it.”

“I’ll pick something up. Anything you hate?”

“Ummm, if it comes on a crust with a lot of pizza sauce, I’ll eat it.”

He laughed loudly. “I think that’s your way of telling me you want pizza!”