Free Now You See Me by Rachel Carrington Page A

to relax.
    She doubted she’d be doing much relaxing until Ramsey’s helpful assistant was arrested, though she had to admit, she felt safer with Brad. Her parents would be horrified she was at the home of a man she’d known only two days, which was precisely why she didn’t intend to tell them, not that keeping secrets from them was that difficult.
    As much as her parents loved her and worried about her, their lives had undergone a drastic change when the nest fully emptied. Now they spent much of their time traveling and renewing lapsed friendships across the globe.
    Brad got up from the sofa, moving as silently as a tiger stalking prey. For a man his size, he moved like he was made of feathers rather than hard muscle. “I’ll be back in a second.” He leaned down next to her, handing her the remote. “Just in case a second runs a bit longer.”
    Though not really a big television watcher, Kate welcomed the technological intrusion tonight, idly clicking channels until she found a news station she liked. A few minutes of sports finally segued to a late-breaking story that captured her attention.
    A craggy-faced reporter stood in front of a wooded area, the wind causing him to shout into the microphone. He covered his earpiece with the palm of one hand. “With the discovery of this latest victim, the community is left to wonder if Saturday’s execution will proceed as scheduled or if this newest discovery will stay the execution pending potential new charges.”
    Kate tuned out the rest of the reporter’s words. “Brad.” She thought she called his name softly but his rapid response said she must have raised her voice.
    “What’s wrong?” He appeared at her side as though he’d been standing right behind her all along.
    “The police found another body. The reporter mentioned a possible stay of execution. Please tell me there are two executions scheduled for this Saturday.” She asked the question already knowing the answer. The state didn’t schedule back-to-back executions, and Marsden was the only correctional facility in the state that carried out death sentences. The reporter could only have been referring to John Ramsey.
    “There isn’t.” Brad punched out numbers on his cell as he responded.
    “This can’t be happening.” Kate covered her face with both hands. Had Ramsey known this was going to happen? Had he set this all up? What was it he’d said about the real killer confessing?
    Thoughts scrambled together, creating a cacophony of noises in her head. She needed peace. Solitude. At least for tonight, where she felt safe. The morning would renew the harsh light of reality soon enough.
    She vaguely heard Brad’s side of the conversation, certain words standing out. Postponement. New trial. Those same words made her sick. She stumbled to her feet and saw Brad glance at her. Waving away his concern, she went in search of the bathroom and cold water.
    Seconds later Brad ended the call with a virulent curse, but when he called her name his tone had returned to normal.
    “I’m okay.” Kate splashed some more water on her face, surveyed her red-rimmed eyes in the mirror. What a lie. She wasn’t even in the same house with okay. Though it wasn’t official, John Ramsey had just been granted a reprieve that gave him plenty of additional time to make her life hell.
    Footsteps came down the hallway, stopped outside the bathroom door. “Are you sure?”
    Why did his concern warm her so much? She pressed a palm against the door. “How about if we both just pretend I am, at least for tonight?”
    Brad heaved a sigh. “The district attorney will have to decide if he’s going to charge Ramsey, which won’t happen until after an autopsy confirms homicide, and they can link the body to him. I’m sorry, Kate, but most likely Ramsey’s execution will be postponed, at least until after the autopsy.”
    She stared at herself in the mirror and squared her shoulders. “Let’s just hope the DA decides