Chapter 30
Alerted by the detective’s tone, Drex turned away from the window and looked at the phone lying on the bar. “What? Locke? What?”
Locke started backpedaling. “It’s not his MO. Not at all.”
Drex crossed to the bar and shouted toward the phone. “What?”
“A woman was found dead in Waterfront Park.”
“Near the water, and you say it’s not his MO? He’s sending me a valentine. When did it happen?”
“First call came in less than an hour ago.”
“How was she killed?”
“No visible wounds. No blood. No obvious weapon.”
“Then why’s she dead?”
“Her neck was broken. Looks like he killed her barehanded.”
Drex plowed his fingers through his hair, then held them there, cupping the top of his head.
Locke said, “But you didn’t hear any of this from me. Other detectives were assigned. It’s their case—”
“Not anymore. It’s mine.” Drex pushed the phone toward Gif. “Get the details.”
“He may not want to tell—”
“Then get them from someone else.”
Gif picked up the phone and began talking to Locke.
Drex said to Mike, “Get on your laptop. It may already be online news. Get the buzz.”
“That’s what it’ll be. Buzz.”
“Get it anyway.”
“Where are you going?”
“To bring the car around. Where’s the key?”
While still talking to Locke, Gif fished the key fob from his pants pocket and tossed it toward Drex. But Talia’s hand shot out and caught it in midair. “I’ll drive,” she said.
“You’re staying here with Mike.”
“Half an hour ago, you said you don’t have any contacts in Charleston. You don’t know your way around.”
“We’ll find our way.”
“I’m going.”
“You need to stay here.”
“No, I need to do this. I need to do this.”
He tried to stare her into compliance, but realized how unfair that would be. She had o