Kimberly Van Meter - To Catch a Killer стр 3.

Doc wants to know if we can move her yet, Oren said, giving Kara a short acknowledgment.

Kara. Been a long time.

Kara nodded. Good to see you, Oren, she said quietly.

Go ahead and wrap things up, Matthew said to Oren without waiting for Karas permission. The older man said little and went to convey Matthews instructions.

Under most circumstances, he didnt mind working with other agencies, feds included, but the idea of working under Karawell, it just rubbed him the wrong way. And the fact that he knew he shouldnt let private matters intrude on a case only frustrated him more. Needing to put some space between them so he could clear his head, he started to walk away, but she grabbed him by the arm, her grip strong and unyielding.

We need to get something straight, right now, she said, low and firm. We have to work together even if neither of us like the idea. There is something bigger than our problem with each other at stake here. A little girl is dead. And shes not the first child to die. Two boys, Jason Garvin and Drake Nobles, have died in similar circumstances. If we dont find a way to stop this murderer, there will be more dead little girls and boys. Do you hear me? So drop the attitude or I will have you replaced with someone else in your department who isnt handicapped by personal history. Are we clear?

Matthew slowly pulled his arm free, his gaze hardening on the woman hed once thought he was falling in love with, and said, Dont do that again.

Dont make this more difficult than it already is.

Id say its too late for that, wouldnt you?

She straightened as if realigning her attitude. Of course not. I can treat you with professional courtesy. The question is, can you do the same?

Not to be outdone, Matthew smirked. Im just following your lead, Agent Thistle.

Kara smiled thinly. If thats the case, lets start over, she said, taking a deep breath for emphasis. Ill want to speak to your medical examiner as soon as hes had a chance to look at the body. Well be setting up temporary lodging at the Jackson Creek Motel in town but you can call my cell when the M.E. is ready for me to come down.

Fine.

She started to leave but stopped and turned. And Matthew, one more thing Id appreciate it if youd keep the private details of my past here in Lantern Cove exactly that. In the past.

She didnt wait for his reply, which was probably a good thing. Matthew wasnt in the mood to agree with anything Kara had to say. And that wasnt professional.

Biting back the hot words dancing on his tongue, he dialed back the response and turned on his heel in the opposite direction, putting his mind back in gear when seeing Kara had made him feel spun out.

They werent kids anymore. Kara was never the person hed grown up thinking she was and damn it, no matter what she had to say, when this was all through, Matthew had a few things to say to her. Whether she liked it or not.

You have a way with the locals, Dillon remarked with his signature wry humor, but Kara didnt find anything amusing about coming face-to-face with Matthew Beauchamp after all these years. It was all she could do to cling to her training. Seeing him had rattled her cage in the worst way. Care to share what that was all about? he asked.

No.

He shivered and turned the heater on full blast. Why not?

Kara shot him a dark look. This isnt story hour. I want to stay focused on the case. I got another call from Senator Nobles on my voice mail. How the hell did he know another body was found?

Politicians have their fingers in all sorts of pies. No telling where he got the information. Does it matter he knows?

Yeah, and hes all over my ass about it.

Dillon shrugged. Hes acting like any father whos lost his son. He just has more clout than most. And considerably more influential friends.

I know, but hes squeezing pretty hard. My head feels ready to pop.

Thats why they pay you the big bucks.

She refrained from commenting. Pulling onto the main road, she headed for town. Shed known there was a possibility that shed come into contact with Matthew when she learned they were going to Lantern Cove, but she never wouldve guessed that it would be ten times harder on her than she imagined it would be. Physically, he was different. Bigger. More muscle. But he still had that silent brooding thing going on that had always intrigued her when they were kids. Whereas Neal had been the joker in their group, Matthew had been the quiet yet guiding force that had kept them from carrying out some of the stupider ideas theyd hatched up as daredevil teens. Those startling blue eyes hadnt lost their brilliance and his thick black hair, although cut shorter than before, was only starting to gray at the temple. Handsome.

Thats the word other women might use to describe him. It was several moments before she realized Dillon was talking to her. Shaking her head, she apologized. What were you saying? I zoned out for a minute.

I noticed. Why dont you just tell me whats going on between you and this local chief. Get it off your chest so you can focus. You know Im always up for a story, one with plenty of juicy details, so dont skimp on the good stuff.