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Chapter Twenty-Eight

DETECTIVE PAIGE WALKER

“Can I help you?”

“Mrs. Rutkowski, I’m Detective Paige Walker with NYPD. May I speak to you for a moment?”

“I don’t understand. Why do you need to speak with me?”

“I need to ask you a few questions about Katherine and Brian Grisham.”

“Come in.” She gestures. “Can I get you some coffee or something?”

“No. I’m good. Thank you.” I sit on the light gray sectional that occupies most of the living room.”

“It just happened, you know,” she blurts out.

“What did?” I ask.

“The affair with Brian. It just happened. It wasn’t planned or anything.”

“I’m not here about that. Do you remember anything out of the ordinary about that night or after the attack on Brian and Katherine?”

“No.” She shakes her head. “There was nothing out of the ordinary. ”

“What about Katherine? How was she?”

“She almost died, detective.”

“I’m aware. Did she say anything to you while she was staying here? Anything that you thought was odd or strange?”

“No. Nothing. Are you saying that Katherine killed Brian?”

“No. I’m not saying that at all. There have been some murders back in New York that are identical to what happened here. Break-ins, missing jewelry, and the men were all stabbed twenty-two times.”

“Oh my gosh. That’s horrible. You have no idea who did it?”

“No. Unfortunately, we don’t. That’s why I’m here. I’m trying to find something that could connect the murders.”

“I’m sorry, Detective Walker. I wish I could help, but I can’t.”

“You were the one who helped Katherine pack up her home after the murder, correct?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t find or see anything strange to you?”

She shakes her head. “No. I’m sorry.”

I let out a long sigh. “Thank you for your time.” I stood and headed toward the front door. “Was he going to leave her?” I turned and asked Cindy.

“No. And I wasn’t going to leave Mark either. It was just fun we were having. Please, don’t judge me.”

“I’m not. Thank you again.” I leave the house.

I am so totally judging her.

I was starving, so I pulled into the parking lot of Patty’s Diner and grabbed a booth when I walked through the door.

“Welcome to Patty’s. I’m Linda. What can I get you?” the perky waitress asks .

“I’ll have the club wrap with fries and a cup of coffee.”

“Regular or decaf?”

“Regular, and just black.” I smile.

“Coming right up.” She takes the menu from me and walks away.

I pull my phone from my purse and call my captain.

“Walker, tell me you found something.”

“It’s a dead-end. Rockstead is a small town where the only crime is someone shoving a pack of gum in their pocket without paying for it. Even if there was something four years ago, I don’t think the Sheriff’s Department was equipped to handle it. I wouldn’t be surprised if some things were overlooked.”

“Damn it. Get your ass back here. We need to find that damn killer before he murders another cheating husband.”

“I’m on the first flight back to New York tomorrow.”

“Good. We’ll talk when you return.”

“Did I hear you say you’re from New York?” Linda sets down my coffee.

“I am. I’m a detective with the NYPD.”

“Wow. What brings you to Rockstead?”

“I’m trying to locate any information anyone has on the murder that took place here four years ago.”

She slowly shakes her head. “That murder really shook the town.”

“You didn’t by any chance see or hear anything out of the ordinary, did you?”

“Can’t say I did. It was recently discovered that Cindy Rutkowski and Brian were having an affair. Poor Katherine. She was such a sweet woman and a good friend. I can’t believe Brian would cheat on her. They were the perfect town couple. Everyone envied them. ”

“So perfect that her husband felt the need to sleep with another woman?” My brow arches.

“I guess you never know what goes on behind closed doors. Let me go see if your dinner is ready.”

Linda returns with my wrap and fries. I grab the bottle of ketchup and squirt some on my plate. Just as I shove a fry in my mouth, Sheriff Strange walks over to my table.

“Do you mind?”

“Not at all. Have a seat.” I smile.

“Did you talk to Mark?” he asks.

“I did. And I spoke with Cindy. Dead end.”

“I figured it would be. How many men in New York have died at the hands of that killer?”

“Five.”

“Jesus.” He throws his head back.

“Hey, Lucas. The usual?”

“Yeah, Linda. Thanks.” He smiles at her.

“Linda tells me that everyone in town was envious of Brian and Katherine’s relationship.”

“Yeah.” He chuckles. “They were known as the perfect town couple. They were always happy, kissing, hugging, goofing around. You could see the love they had for each other. That’s why I was so shocked when I heard Brian was having an affair—poor Katherine. I had no idea she remarried. I can’t imagine losing three people I loved to murder.”

“Excuse me?” My brows furrowed. “What do you mean by ‘three people?’”

“There was that guy she was dating when she was sixteen, Brian, and her most recent husband.”

“The guy she was dating when she was sixteen was murdered?”

“That’s what she told me when I visited her in the hospital. She asked me why God would do that to her again.”