Page 26 of The Girls in the Snow

“For cash or drugs?”

“I’m hoping cash, for the phone I can’t find.”

Eight

Nikki replaced the nozzle and closed her gas lid. Miller wanted to get a warrant for Ricky Fillinger’s truck before they spoke with him, so they tabled that fun task until morning. She pulled away from the gas pumps and parked in front of the store.

Mark Todd’s mugshot stared at her from the front page of theStar Tribune.

New evidence and disturbing details emerge about Nicole Walsh’s state of mind on the night of the murders.

Her state of mind? No one on earth had a damned clue what her state of mind had been that night. This had to be the article Jessica had referred to earlier.

Nikki shoved four quarters into the change slot and snatched the paper, folding it under her arm.

Inside the busy store, her hands trembled as she made a cup of decaf coffee. She had to stay focused on the present. Getting caught up in her past wasn’t going to do a damn thing to catch Madison and Kaylee’s killer. She loaded her coffee with French vanilla creamer and stepped up to the counter.

“I paid at the pump for my gas.” She eyed the cigarette display behind the cashier. She’d stopped smoking when she was pregnant, and it wouldn’t take more than a couple of puffs to be right back in the habit. She chose a bag of candy instead and pretended sugar was less addictive than nicotine.

It seemed like she’d already been away from her daughter for days. Since Nikki’s FBI unit served all of Minnesota, staying at a hotel for a few nights wasn’t a new experience, but being away from Lacey seemed to sting more than usual. As soon as she was settled into the room, Nikki would check in with Tyler and Lacey. Her daughter’s happy little voice was always a mood-booster.

The cashier pressed several buttons on the register and sighed. “Dang it, this thing locked up on me. Just let me reboot it.”

“No problem.”

A six-pack of beer hit the counter beside her with a thud, and Nikki jumped.

“Sorry.” A man in a gray hoodie and paint-splattered jeans set a pack of gummy bears on top of the beer. His cheeks dimpled with his smile. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

He was at least a head taller than Nikki, with a slim build but broad shoulders. A lock of dark, wavy hair had escaped his navy wool hat and curled around his ear.

“Nice combination,” Nikki said. “What flavor goes best with the Corona?”

“Red, of course.” His voice made candy sound ridiculously erotic. “Sugar baby.”

Nikki’s eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

He tapped on the bag of candy. “Sugar babies. I think you’re the first person I’ve met who liked them.”

Her entire body felt red hot. “I might have a sugar addiction.”

“Hi, Rory.” A second cashier opened the next register.

Rory? The name sounded vaguely familiar. Had she gone to school with him, too?

Nikki snuck a glance at him while he simultaneously counted out cash and flirted with the cashier. His wide smile and raspy voice had the girl blushing, and he clearly understood the effect he had on women.

Nikki’s face still burned and not just from embarrassment. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt something for a man, let alone felt nervous standing next to someone as good-looking as this guy. How long had it been since Nikki had a date?

“Try it now,” Nikki’s cashier said, his eyes on Rory. “I read the article about your brother, man. You think he’ll get a new trial?”

You’re going to be asked questions, especially if his brother finds out you’re in town.

Nikki’s stomach hollowed out, and her hands shook as she swiped the card and waited to put in her PIN number. The newspaper tucked under her arm felt like a brick.

Rory shrugged. “Who knows? He’s been so fucking railroaded, I can’t count on anything.”

Nikki snatched her receipt and tried not to sprint to the door. “Thank you.”