Page 36 of The Killer You Know

“Oh geez.” Alicia taps her fingers to her lips. “I don’t know, but she had a history with Derek. I think they were off and on forever. But then again, those girls used to share him like a pair of used shoes back in the day.” She gives a hearty laugh. “You weren’t far behind.” She taps me on the elbow. “I guess I don’t know that much about them. Robin had volunteered to help with the reunion, but I already had a brigade by then. I told her I’d get back to her as it got closer if I needed anything. I’m so sorry for what their poor families are going through.”

I’m about to agree just as a familiar light-haired brunette speeds this way.

“Nessa,” I say with a cheerful smile. “Glad to see you again. And glad to see your gait hasn’t been affected.”

“Jackie?” She pulls me close a moment before nodding to Fallon. “Special Agent Baxter. What’s going on? Did you find Brittney?”

“No, actually.” I sigh. “We were just in the area and I thought I’d show off my old stomping grounds. I thought maybe I’d speak with Alicia and here she is.”

“What did you tell them?” Nessa bites the air with the question as she looks at Alicia. Maybe Alicia is the key to this after all.

“Nothing.” Alicia scrambles to pick up her tote bag once again. “I don’t know anything at all.” She offers a forlorn smile at the two of us. “I’m so sorry. But please tell me I’ll see you both this Saturday night.”

“You will,” Fallon assures her. “I can’t wait.”

“And I can’t wait to get our groove on and hit the dance floor,” she says, walking backward. “Jackie, you’re not getting out of there without cutting loose with me first.” She waves and quickly ducks out of the hallway.

“I’m so glad you’re both coming,” Nessa says. “I hear they’re going to have a memorial for Robin and some kind of a vigil for Brittney, too. I think it’s good. We might get some answers.” She holds up a small milk carton with a paintbrush sticking out of it that’s slicked with crimson paint, so dark it almost looks like chocolate. “I’d better get going. I’m the leader of this catastrophe.” She laughs as she nods to the mural.

“That’s right,” I say. “You’re the art teacher around here.”

“It’s going to be beautiful,” Fallon says.

“I hope so.” Nessa sighs back at the wall of wonder. “The kids helped me design it. I’m in charge of filling in the flowers. I thought I’d throw in some poppies along with the blue columbine.” She plucks the brush out of the carton briefly as if to prove her point.

“The columbine is the state flower,” I say. “Nice touch.”

“You better believe I’m putting blood, sweat, and tears into it,” she teases. “Good luck with the investigation. Can’t wait for Saturday night.”

“Oh, before I forget.” Fallon digs a business card out of her purse and hands it to the woman. “My sister owns Pick-it-Clean. She felt so bad about what happened on your mother’s property, she offered her services for free if you need them. She hauls away anything you don’t want to deal with.”

“Really?” Her eyes expand. “I could really use something like this. That place is filled to the brim. In fact, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. My mother owns a couple of other properties in the area that are still filled with old junk. I’m an only child and my father has passed as well. So it’s all on me. I hope your sister is ready for the onslaught. Please thank her for this. Or on second thought, I’ll thank her myself when I give her a call.”

We say goodbye, and soon Fallon and I are headed back to the parking lot.

“Thoughts?” I ask as a group of students fly past us as if they can’t get out of here fast enough.

“Alicia sure hit the road as soon as Nessa came out.”

“I thought the same thing, but it’s probably nothing. Or it’s probably something. They might have a tiff going. They’re coworkers. I’ll get to the bottom of it Saturday night.”

“And I’ll be right there as you’re getting the dirt—while we get our groove on,” she teases, echoing Alicia’s words and I frown.

I’m not exactly a fan of the dance floor.

We land back in the truck just as Hale shoots us a message.

Another body just turned up.

24

Special Agent Fallon Baxter

Jack and I race back to Denver and all the way up to the situation room at the FBI field office.

Hale is already at the front of the room with a screen lit up behind him, and we find Nikki getting cozy with Buddy at the desk.

“Fill us in,” Jack says as we land in our seats.

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