Page 99 of I'm Watching You

‘Here, working at the church on sermons and budgets.’

‘Any witnesses?’ Vega asked.

The minister shrugged. ‘No.’

Chapter Twenty-One

Wednesday, July 9, 10:10A.M.

Lindsay worried about Nicole as she numbly sat in the back of the police car watching the forensics team do its job of collecting evidence. Warwick interviewed the complex’s worried-looking maintenance man, Steve, while Zack talked to neighbors. No doubt they’d check Steve’s past and also look into Sam’s background. Everyone she knew was being pulled into this mess.

One killing had been sensational enough. Two equated to a pattern – and major headlines, a fact that was driven home to her when Kendall Shaw arrived with her cameraman.

The last thing Nicole needed was for Lindsay to be the center of a major news story.

Across the street, a black Mercedes pulled up and Dana Miller got out. She was dressed in white Armani and carried a thick, efficiently designed purse. She frowned as she surveyed the scene from behind large white-framed sunglasses.

Lindsay rose and moved toward her boss. ‘Dana.’

Dana offered a curt smile. Her expensive perfume swirled around her. ‘I got your voice mail. When you said there was trouble I decided to see what was happening for myself. What’s going on?’

The story was so outlandish, she felt foolish telling it.‘Another man was murdered. And another hand was sent to me.’

Dana’s rouge-painted lips flattened. She reached in her purse and pulled out a long, slim cigarette case. ‘Is the murder victim connected to the shelter?’

‘Not to the shelter, but to me. I think the victim’s name is – was – Burt Saunders.’ She recapped the highlights of the last few days.

Dana removed a cigarette from the case and lit it with a monogrammed lighter. She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. ‘This is not good, Lindsay.’

Lindsay’s worried expression reflected in Dana’s sunglasses. ‘I know.’

Dana glanced toward the camera crews. ‘Do you have any idea who’s behind this?’

The question almost made her laugh. ‘If I knew I’d be sharing it with the cops.’

Dana studied the scene. Her frown deepened when Kendall Shaw started her report. Neither could hear what the reporter was saying, but they got the gist of it. ‘Lindsay, I’ve always believed you were Sanctuary’s best asset. You’re a big part of our success. You have a passion for your work that few possess.’

Her boss rarely tossed out compliments. ‘But …’

‘But right now, you are our biggest liability. The press is on your doorstep because some crazy person is fixated on you. By tomorrow, you won’t be able to move without someone spotting you.’

‘Dana, I’ve worked under pressure before. I can handle the media.’

‘That’s yet to be proven.’

An uneasy helplessness tightened Lindsay’s belly. ‘Then let me prove myself. I don’t want to abandon Sanctuary.’

Dana puffed on her cigarette. ‘I’d like to. I really would. But none of us can afford the bad press.’

Us. Danadidn’t want the bad press.

‘I’ve called in every favor to keep this story as quiet as possible, but nothing is going to keep the media away from this.’

‘Dana, let’s just give this another day or two. The police might find the killer and then all the questions will be answered.’

Dana dropped her half-smoked cigarette to the concrete sidewalk and ground it with the tip of her high heel. ‘I wish it were that easy, but it’s not. I’ve no choice but to suspend you.’

Lindsay couldn’t swallow her outrage. ‘You’re firing me?’

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