With a sigh, I look at my sister, then at Matt, and know that between the two of them, I’m going to end up the mother of a kitten by the end of the night. “I’ll think about it.”
“Awesome.” July smiles, and May giggles.
“Holy shit,” Kirk breathes, sounding distressed.
“What is it?” Matt asks him, going around the counter to stand behind him, then the color drains from his face as he looks over his shoulder at his phone in Kirk’s hand.
“What?” I look between the two of them, and the eyes look back at me are filled with concern.
“Charlotte was found murdered in one of her clients’ house this afternoon.” Kirk turns his phone around my way, and I read over the text he received. My heart starts to pound, and my palms start to sweat when I scan over the part that says cops on the scene mentioned that both her and Meghan’s murders were very similar.
“She was a realtor too?” July asks, having not read the text, and I nod. “Who would do that?”
“I don’t know.” Kirk shakes his head. “I know Meghan and Charlotte were friends. They hung out all the time.”
“You think they upset someone?” I ask, thinking killing someone is a little extreme.
“They could have,” Matt says as May comes around the counter and takes over what I was doing with the mashed potatoes. “I don’t know what is going on, but I do remember that not long ago there was that group of homeless people breaking into staged houses. And if a realtor came when they were there, they would attack them. One realtor ended up in a coma for a month after they beat him so badly.”
“I remember that,” I say, recalling how horrified I was at the time, worried, because if Harris was ever with me in that kind of situation, I don’t know that he would react very well.
“It could be something like that going on,” Matt agrees.
“Or it could be someone targeting women,” July says, and I look at my sister. “I hate to be the one to point that out, but I know you go into houses alone, so I think you need to think of the worst-case scenario. That way you are never caught off guard.”
“You’re right.” Matt adds, “Maybe you should hold off on showings until the cops have a better idea of what’s going on.”
“You know I can’t do that,” I point out the obvious, because like me, he knows that showings are how we make a large chunk of our money. “I’ll just change things up and arrive when my clients do, or I’ll wait in my car until they get there. I won’t go into any houses on my own.”
“And you know Kirk or I will be there at the drop of a hat if you ever need us.”
“I know,” I promise, letting out a deep breath and trying to wrap my mind around the fact that two women who I knew are now gone. And not just gone but brutally murdered and possibly by the same person. Worse, Meghan hasn’t even been laid to rest yet, since her family in Florida wanted her buried down there next to her dad who passed a few years back. Now, any acceptance or closure they’ve found is going to be erased when they hear about Charlotte.
“I hope they find out who’s responsible sooner rather than later,” Kirk says quietly, and all I can do is nod my agreement. A chill slides down my spine, and I try—really try—to remind myself that I am a strong woman who is capable of taking care of herself.
That said, I really, really wish Maxim was here.
Chapter 9
April
SITTING IN MY chair on my back deck with my laptop forgotten in front of me, I listen to the quiet of the early morning while watching two white butterflies dance in the forest beyond my back porch. I take a sip of coffee, hoping the caffeine kicks in soon, because as it stands, I’m exhausted.
Last night after everyone left, I took a shower, spoke to Maxim for about one-point-five seconds before he got called away, then got into bed, where I ended up tossing and turning for what felt like hours. I don’t know exactly what was keeping me up, but then again, it’s not like there isn’t a lot going on in my life all of a sudden.
I pick up my phone when it beeps and click on the text July sent, then close my eyes when I see the attached photo of an adorable little black kitty, his bright green eyes wide as he plays with a pink mouse toy. Shaking my head, I message her back.
Me: You win.
Less than a second later, she sends me a meme of a cute blonde jumping up and down, waving her hands in the air. With a laugh, I set my cell down, wondering if I’ve lost my mind. When my phone rings, I pick it up, expecting it to be my sister but smile when I see Harris is calling.