Free Killing Me Softly by MAGGIE SHAYNE Page A

ignorant jackass who wouldn’t know a good cop if one was pulling him out from under a bus. Just hang in.”
    â€œI’m trying.” Bryan walked away from the others, head down.
    Dawn went after him, put her hand on his shoulder. “We’ll go do what I said,” she told him when they were out of earshot. “It’ll help.”
    Bryan shook his head. “No. Not tonight. It’s not safe, Dawn. Besides, it’s not legal. I think we should do this by the book. I get caught tampering with evidence, I’ll look even more guilty than I already do.”
    She didn’t think it was possible for him to look more guilty than he already did, but she decided not to say so. Instead, she just nodded slowly. “All right, Bryan. If you’re sure.”
    â€œI am. Besides,” he said, “I feel like I ought to call Bette’s parents tonight. And that’s gonna be—”
    â€œIt’s going to be hell. Did you ask your lawyer about doing that? ’Cause it sounds to me like something he’d advise against.”
    â€œI did, and you’re right. He said no way. I’m doing it, anyway.”
    He turned and walked up the stairs. Dawn watched him go, more determined than ever to help him. Butwhen she looked toward the front door, her mind made up to go to his house alone, she froze as a shiver of fear worked up her spine.
    Okay, maybe it would be stupid to go to the scene of a serial killer’s latest fun fest, in the dead of night, looking like the victim. Yeah. That was it. It wasn’t anything to do with the paralyzing fear of facing a dead girl in the darkness.
    She would wait till daylight. That was what she would do.
    A hand closed on her shoulder and she turned, knowing it was Nick before she looked at him.
    â€œThat brick through the window bullshit shook you up, didn’t it, Dawnie? You all right?”
    She nodded. “Just tell me Bryan’s going to be okay.”
    â€œWe’re gonna make sure of that, little girl. All of us together. He’s glad you’re here. You know that, right?”
    She smiled, liking the man’s easy, reassuring way. “I wasn’t so sure at first. And then I thought maybe he was, and then I wasn’t sure again.”
    â€œHe is.”
    â€œI hope you’re right, Nick.”
    â€œAbout him being glad you’re here? I know I’m right.”
    â€œI meant about us making sure he’s going to be okay. We have to find out who killed Bettina Wright.”
    â€œI hear you,” he told her.
    â€œDon’t you worry, Dawn,” Beth called from thedoorway into the dining room. “Nick is one of the best cops who ever served. The chief has put him back on duty, so he has all the authority he needs to help Bryan. And Josh is no slouch, either,” she added with a look behind her at her husband, who was carrying dinner plates into the kitchen. “To say nothing about Rico. And whether you know it yet or not, Bryan’s very good at his job, as well. And then there’s you and me,” Beth went on. “There’s no way we won’t solve this thing.”
    Dawn sighed, nodding and wishing she felt as confident as Beth did. “I’m gonna head up to my room,” she said. “It was nice meeting you, Nick. Really nice. I’m glad Bryan has you on his side.” He smiled warmly at her, and she felt a connection with him. Then she turned to the others. “And that goes for you, too, Rico. Night, Beth, Josh.”
    â€œNight, Dawn,” Beth called after her as she hurried up the stairs to her room.
    Once inside, with the door closed behind her, Dawn closed her eyes, took a breath and nodded firmly, knowing what she had to do. She went to her bag, which she had yet to unpack, and fished out the pills she used to keep the dead at bay. She took out the bottle of vodka she’d thought she might need if the pills weren’t enough here,