He blinked several times as if fighting to stay conscious. “You’re the sub. Don’t get to make orders.”
She laughed through the tears. Sirens wailed outside.
“Promise me you’ll file the lawsuit.” He coughed, more blood bubbling out of the corner of his mouth. “Make him pay. For Alyssa.”
“I promise.”
He lifted his hand but it fell back to his side. “So proud of you.”
She heard shouts from the police and the thumping of footsteps. An officer came into the room, his weapon drawn.
Nick gazed at the cop. “I killed Alyssa Deveroux. Kate shot me in defense.” He panted and his eyes settled on her once more. “Love you, Kate.”
His chest rose.
Then nothing.
He was gone.
She’d killed again.
She gently lowered Nick’s head to the carpet and got to her feet.
Jaxon wrapped his arms around her and held her close. “When I got your call, I’d never been so scared in my life.”
She rested against his chest and felt the beat of his racing heart on her cheek. “How did you get here so quickly?”
He kissed the top of her head. “I was right down the street. I had time before my flight so I stopped to vote. Thank God today was Election Day. If I didn’t hate District Attorney Savage so much, I would’ve been at the airport, and I never would’ve gotten to you in time.”
The police officers began their duties of preserving the crime scene. Kate knew she and Jaxon would have a long day ahead of them at the precinct. At least Nick had done the right thing in the end and had confessed. Otherwise, Jaxon and she would be under investigation for his murder.
She hugged Jaxon tighter, knowing how difficult it must be for him to learn that his best friend had killed his wife. Unlike when her father had died, this time she wouldn’t grieve alone.
Chapter Ten
Eight Months Later . . .
THE SUN HID behind a cloud, giving Kate a brief moment of relief from the record-breaking July heat. Why had they decided the grassy park at City Hall would be the best place to do this press conference? She looked at the woods behind her and grinned.
Oh yeah. The spot made for a quick getaway.
She took a swig of her bottled water and then flipped open a compact mirror. Her skin was shiny from perspiration, and she blotted her forehead with a tissue, careful not to ruin her makeup.
This was the last thing she wanted to do this afternoon, but according to Rachel it was a necessary evil, and she’d better get used to it. Who would’ve guessed the reporter would become one of her closest friends?
Logan came from behind her and massaged her shoulders. “You ready?”
As always in his presence, she smiled. “No. Why don’t you go out there for me?” She turned around and peered up at him.
He laughed and shook his head fervently. “Hey, I won that coin toss fair and square. You’re the lucky one who gets to face the firing squad today. Besides, they already love you. They’re here for you, not me.”
She slapped his chest playfully. “They’re here because they’re cannibals looking for their big meal.”
His expression grew serious. “If you really don’t want to do it, I’ll go out there for you. You’re not too anxious, are you? I don’t want you to have one of your attacks.”
She ran a hand over the sore spot on her right hip and pressed down with the pads of her fingers. “I’m fine. I don’t even need a pill.”
Her pulse remained even and her heartbeat steady. Other than the sensation of fluttering hummingbirds in her belly, she didn’t experience any of the signs of anxiety. Just a case of plain old nerves. And who wouldn’t before going out in front of a sea of reporters to give a press conference? At least there were fewer people here than when she’d given her valedictorian speech at graduation. What was a horde of cannibals compared to a bunch of hungry legal sharks?
“Good.” He ran his admiring gaze over her body. “You look great. Ready for Lisa to introduce you?”
She exhaled and nodded. “Let’s get started.”
Logan rubbed her neck for a moment and then went to find Lisa, who was seating the media on the other side of the small white tent.
Mousy secretary Lisa turned out to have a degree in marketing. After Nick’s death, she’d quit her job at Joseph and Long and started her own public relations firm. As someone who’d also cared for Nick, she and Kate had mourned him together, remembering him not for his crimes but for his triumphs. She, Kate, and Rachel met for drinks every Thursday night, and although her friends preferred white wine to a Slo Gin Fizz, she’d learned the three of them had a lot more important things in common, like being career-driven women. That’s why it shocked her when Lisa volunteered to do Kate’s public relations work for free. Having friends who didn’t just take but gave in return was a new experience for her.