Free Find Me by Debra Webb Page A

could be useful. Keeping him around another day or so couldn't hurt.
    The last piece of research material she had in her file was a photograph that had cost her editor a pretty penny. A copy of a crime-scene photo taken of Valerie Gerard's body on the cold stone floor at the chapel.
    Why hadn't Conner told her the truth about the body?
    Maybe he'd been instructed not to. After all, that detail hadn't been disclosed to the public. Nine days and counting and there hadn't been a leak yet. But that wouldn't last. Eventually someone would get smart enough to bribe the same tech she had and then the proverbial shit would hit the fan.
    That one detail was more telling than any other related to the condition of the body. It also told something significant about the killer.
    A single word had been written along the victim's torso in her own blood.
    That one word shifted this homicide to a whole different level.
    A very personal level.
    Sarah stared at the photo of the young woman who had died such a slow, painful death.
    "Who hated you enough to call you that?" Sarah murmured. "Then killed you for it?"
    One word, four seemingly innocuous letters that when aligned together carried profound meaning.
    LIAR.

CHAPTER 9

    1812
Captain's Alley
, 8:30 P.M.

    Kale spread the invoices across the kitchen table. Christine, his secretary, had done an outstanding job organizing the paperwork he needed to sign. He penned his legal signature on one document after the other, then leaned back in the chair and considered that was about all he needed to do for now.
    Truth was, the business could basically run itself without him. The tension that admission generated flexed in his clenched jaw.
    What did that say about his life?
    Maybe not a whole hell of a lot. He'd called his father and reviewed this month's ledger. All was satisfactory considering it was the end of February and still damned cold. Business would kick into high gear as spring neared.
    His crew didn't need him holding their hands or overseeing their work. Kale's absence around the office during Sarah Newton's stay in Youngstown would scarcely be missed though he would never admit as much.
    He should be glad. He should be damned thrilled that he had reliable employees and loyal customers.
    But those things didn't fill the emptiness expanding inside him with ever-increasing steadiness lately.
    Pushing back his chair, he stood and paced his kitchen. His golden retriever, Angie, swished her tail across the floor, her big eyes following her master's movements. He could take her for a walk or load the dishwasher. Taking care of a load of laundry or two wouldn't hurt. He never had to worry about cooking. His mom always made enough for him when she prepared the family meals. If he failed to stop by and pick up dinner, his sister delivered it each evening before dark. He would come home and find a home-cooked meal waiting for him.
    Kale stopped, hands on hips, and surveyed the home he'd bought seven years ago. Seriously spacious for a bachelor. Ocean view across the street. Two-car garage, small, easily maintained yard. He had every reason to be proud of his accomplishments.
    Why wasn't he?
    He threaded his fingers through his hair and heaved out a disgusted breath.
    It was her.
    She'd stormed into town and shaken up his carefully constructed, strictly maintained routine.
    Kale shuffled into the living room and plopped down on the sofa. He stared at the leather bench-style ottoman that served as his coffee table. If he lifted the lid, photos and school yearbooks were stored inside. His mom had been so proud when he became a homeowner. She'd made sure that what she considered important lifetime memorabilia was safely and conveniently stored in his new home.
    But Kale never looked at any of it. It no longer mattered that he'd been the valedictorian of his class or that he'd gotten a full scholarship to the University of Maine. Responsibilities and obligations had derailed all that.
    As much as he at