Page 123 of Kiss of Deceit

“You’re planning, Dani. I can see it. The second you have a chance, you’re going to look for the killer.”

I gave him a sweet smile. “How can I do that when you’ve been my shadow?”

He wasn’t amused as he looked back at the covered bodies. “I’m making sure you stay alive.”

I followed his gaze. The three men who were murdered were found in front of town hall, close to where the first victim was placed. All three had a knife buried in their chest and were killed somewhere else before being put in the center of town.

“Did you know them?” I asked him.

He nodded. “I know everyone here. They all worked at the factory. They used to come into my bar together, so I’m guessing they were friends.”

“If you have something to add, please speak up,” Susan said pointedly, her eyes on me.

I straightened up, noticing all the attention was on me because of her words. Miles was across the room from me, his face a blank mask with his arms crossed tightly. He’d offered to come help since the other medical intern needed a chance to sleep after last night. This was the first time he’d dealt with the case close up. After his attack, I was surprised he wanted to be involved. But he admitted to me earlier that he felt better being close than not knowing what was happening. Something I very much understood.

Harry and two other men who worked at the station stood to my left. The doctor who had saved Miles after he was stabbed and stitched Kole up was at the sink, washing his hands.

“I think we’re dealing with more than one killer.”

Silence met my words. Kole shifted, looking back at the victims. Miles met my gaze from across the room, surprise in his eyes. Susan was pondering before nodding slowly.

“It’s a possibility,” she agreed. “Especially after Tristin and Leon’s murders.”

I fixed my expression, since those two kills belonged to me. “Because it doesn’t fit the pattern of behavior.”

“Yes.”

“You think there are two?” Miles choked out, fear splashing across his face. “There was only one that night at the police station.”

“Two or more,” I corrected him gently. “It takes a lot to stab someone. Doing it multiple times to more than one person? It would be exhausting. And attacking three grown men at the same time? I would say drugs are being used first, but every toxicology report has been clean, right?” I looked at the doctor.

“Yes,” he answered. “Unless they’re using something that doesn’t show up in the screening.”

“This information does not leave this room,” Harry spoke up. “People are already scared. This would only make it worse.”

“We stay quiet for now.” Susan flipped through the papers in her hand. “I want a detailed file on all three victims by tonight. Dani, you can work on it today?—”

“Tomorrow,” Kole cut in. “She hasn’t slept in two days.”

“None of us have slept,” Harry grumbled.

“We should all take the day to rest. We need it,” I added.

“Fine,” Susan reluctantly agreed. “We’ll pick this up at sunrise tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

Everyone began filing out of the room, heading up the narrow set of steps. I didn’t say a word as we strode through the clinic, exiting through the front doors. I blinked a few times, the snow reflecting in the sun, blinding me for a few moments.

“I have to stop at the bar,” Kole said. “Then we can go home.”

“Can I walk with you?” Miles asked with a sheepish grin. “I’ve been hanging out with Hallie, but she’s sick. With her symptoms, I don’t think she’ll be leaving the house for a few days. People are going to be upset that the café is closed.”

Kole shot him an annoyed look, but I elbowed him, silently warning him to be nice. Miles was scared, just like everyone else in this town.

“Sure,” I told him. “We can walk you to your house after.”

“Is Hallie contagious?” Kole asked, eyeing him with a frown. “We can’t afford to get sick right now.”

“Food poisoning,” he answered with a shake of his head. “She ate something that had been in the deep freezer at the café…apparently it wasn’t good anymore. Don’t worry, she threw the whole box away so no one else gets sick.”