Free Killing the Secret by Donna Welch Jones Page B

chatter.”
    They pushed their chairs back and stood up as if they were a synchronized rebellion team.
    Beth lagged behind the others and said, “Sorry, I’m no help.”
    “I hope your memories improve before the next one of you dies.” Lexie growled the words to their backs as they exited the office.
    “They’re lying,” Lexie said as soon as the door slammed.
    Tye shook his head. “You think we got three people trying to cover up for someone who’s trying to murder them. That doesn’t make any sense.”
    “You’re right. It’s not logical, but that’s what’s happening. Did you see anything suspicious at the funeral?”
    “Not really. Fifteen people from my graduating class. None of them acted strangely. Clay told me he didn’t see anything either. And you?”
    “The only thing I saw out of character was Jamie wearing a black hat and sitting alone in the balcony. She didn’t use a tissue during the ceremony.” Lexie braced for his reaction.
    “You really are pulling things out of your ass. Don’t even imply that Jamie killed Abbey.”
    “Don’t be so touchy, Tye. As far as I’m concerned everyone is guilty until proven innocent. That includes your girlfriend.”
     

Chapter Twenty-One
    Tye fingered the college basketball schedule then wadded it up in one hand and made a free throw toward the trashcan. Delia and Lexie went home at seven and Clay was on patrol. He stopped at the window before retrieving his misguided shot and tossed it on the top of his desk. Pole lights and “Closed” signs flickered, confirming that Diffee was locked down for the night.
    He walked back to his desk and picked up the phone. It rang several times before he heard the familiar, “Hello?”
    “Can I come over tonight, Jamie?”
    “I guess, as long as we don’t talk about your belligerent sister.”
    “She was just trying to do her job,” Tye defended.
    “Well, she needs to adjust her attitude.”
    “Is ten okay?”
    “Yes,” Jamie ended the conversation.
    There was plenty of time so he drove his truck along the curvy road to Mud Creek. With flashlight in hand, he got out of the truck and illuminated the area. He wanted the gentle breeze to bring him a message, a sign of who’d been in the woods with Abbey. There was no hint, only his overpowering sense of ineptness.
    Driving back toward town, he thought of how short life seemed. Maybe he should marry Jamie and have a family. He hadn’t asked her before because he was sure the answer would be “no” with a “don’t smother me” clause attached. She liked the sex but wasn’t into hugs. Jamie was a tough woman—perhaps not mother material.
    The door was unlocked when he arrived. He heard the shower running. Undressing quickly, he climbed into her bed. He made a mental note to berate her about leaving her door open when a murderer might drop by at any moment.
    The light from the bathroom shone behind her naked body as she came toward him. Neither spoke as she crawled in beside him and started kissing his neck passionately. After thirty minutes, they lay breathless and sweaty beside each other.
    “I’m surprised you came over tonight,” Jamie said, “what with all the drama at the sheriff’s office.”
    “That’s why I wanted to be with you.”
    “Oh, am I your tension reliever?”
    “You can make me forget anything.”
    “Well, I’m a powerful woman,” Jamie sighed.
    Tye rolled over and kissed her hard on the lips.
    “What was that for?”
    “I wanted to soften you up before I start preaching at you,” Tye said dryly. “Why the hell did you leave your front door unlocked? You know someone wants to kill you.”
    Jamie sat up. “I don’t believe that crap.”
    “So there is no secret?”
    She shrugged. “There’s plenty of secrets, but none of them worth killing for.”
    “I came upon an interesting coincidence.” Tye leaned against the headboard. His eyes focused on Jamie’s reaction.
    “What’s that?”
    “On the dates of Terri,