Fatal Decree Read Online Free Page B

starting point. We didn’t turn up anything at Emerald Harbor.”
    “Is there anything I can do?”
    She smiled. “No. Just be ready to put up with a stressed-out cop.”
    “Is there any other kind?”
    “Some days are worse than others.”
    “I’m concerned about you being a target of some kind of psychopath.”
    “I’m probably not. We’ll find the connection to the gun, and maybe that’ll give us Nell’s killer. Stop worrying.”
    Jock rejoined us. “J.D., I’ve been on the phone with Dave Kendall, my director. He said that our agency will do whatever we can to help. We’re at your disposal.”
    “I appreciate that, but I don’t think this has anything to do with your agency.” J.D. said.
    “Dave’s not convinced of that. Even if it isn’t connected to the agency, Gene is one of ours, and Dave wants the son of a bitch who killed his wife.”
    J.D. smiled. “Jock, I think you might be one of those crazy conspiracy theorists. You’re trying to decide whether the killer is after me or your agency. It’s probably neither. Just a random crime.”
    Jock chuckled. “My work tends to bring out the paranoia, but it’s saved my butt a bunch of times.”
    “We’ll see,” said J.D.
    Barb brought our food and took another drink order. J.D. asked for iced tea. Our conversation turned to island gossip, the weather, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the beauty of our view down the bay as the lights of downtown Sarasota began to wink on, responding to the gathering darkness. We were trying to empty our minds of dark thoughts of murder and the damage it would do to a good man who would live the rest of his life without the woman he loved.
    It was a little past seven when we left the restaurant. The sun was gone and darkness was enveloping our island, moving rapidly from east to west. A slight chill rode the onshore breeze that ruffled the water of the bay. A gull cackled somewhere in the distance, a dog barked in response, and then the quiet of an early evening surrounded us. We stood on the shell parking lot next to J.D.’s unmarked police car. She said, “I’m going home to a hot shower and a change of clothes.”
    “Do you want me to meet you at your place?” asked Jock.
    “No. I’ll pick you up at Matt’s in about an hour. Maybe I’ll have something more from Miami by then.”
    Her cell phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. “Blocked,” she said. “It’s probably Sharkey.” She answered, was quiet for a moment, and then closed the phone. She had a look on her face, grim determination maybe, or anger. I couldn’t tell.
    “What?” I asked.
    “I think it was the killer.”
    That brought me up short. “What did he say?”
    “He said, ‘You’re next, bitch. Or maybe not. But later.’”
    “Those were his exact words?” Jock asked.
    “Exactly.” She pulled a notebook from her purse and wrote down the quote.
    “J.D.,” I said, “this is serious. Take Jock with you tonight. I’ll take the boat home.”
    “Don’t, Matt,” she said with an edge to her voice. “I’m not some freaking meter maid. I’m a cop. I’ve got a gun. I can shoot. I hope the bastard does come after me. It’ll be the last time he tries to kill a woman.”
    I’d forgotten for a moment how steely she could be. She was a woman making it in what had traditionally been a man’s job. She took my comment as an insult. “Sorry, Detective,” I said. “I know you can take care of yourself. But I still worry about you.”
    She softened a little, her face relaxing, and a smile beginning to play around her mouth. “Don’t,” she said. “But I’m glad you do. I’ll see you in an hour.” She kissed me on the cheek, got in her car, and drove off.
    “You’re making progress, podna,” said Jock. “You’ll notice that she didn’t kiss me.”
    “Yeah,” I said, “but you’re butt ugly.”
    Still, I had noticed and wondered if the kiss meant anything.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Jock and I ran the boat up the lagoon to my