Grave Secrets (Manhunters 1)

“It’s Sunday. How did you get this done on a Sunday?”

“I saw Judge Burns coming out of church. We had a nice little talk. Since his wife is his assistant, they didn’t mind making the change right away.”

“Why are you doing this?” She glared at Hank. “I’ve been Jamison’s rock from day one. You know it would traumatize him to be taken away from me.”

“What’s going to traumatize him is watching his mother whore it up with the easiest man around. Your next-door neighbor, Savannah? You couldn’t look any farther than your front yard?”

Maybe that blocker hadn’t worked the way Ian thought it would. “If you really cared about him, you’d stick with the agreement we worked out in the divorce.”

“And if you really cared about him, you’d dump the grease monkey and focus on our son.”

“You started this long before Ian got to town.”

“But you fucking him cemented my decision.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” The female voice startled Savannah. She straightened and fought to focus on the woman in the hallway with them. Someone new in town, working for the mine. Savannah remembered she’d been surprised that Lyle had hired a woman for a managerial position. The woman’s gaze cut to Hank, clearly disgusted. “Even the guys in the mine treat me better.”

“Mind your own business,” Hank bit back. “Get the fuck out of here.”

“You’re blocking my path,” she told Hank while putting a comforting hand on Savannah’s arm. “That makes it my business. And if you touch her again, I’ll go way above your head to make sure you never do it again.”

Hank’s furious gaze swung back to Savannah. “Friday. Say your goodbyes before we go to court, because it’s the last time you’ll ever see him.”

He turned and stalked out of the diner. Mortification burned in her gut. Panic rippled up her spine.

“Are you okay?” the woman asked. She was young and pretty with jet black hair and bright blue eyes.

“I’m so sorry you had to see that.” The words came out choppy as Savannah tried to catch her breath and calm her nerves. “I don’t remember your name.”

“Everly,” she said. “What an ass.”

Savannah huffed. “Understatement.”

“Did he hurt you?” she asked, her eyes scanning Savannah.

She straightened, wincing when her back pinched with pain. “I’ll be all right. Even better when he’s out of my life for good.”

The woman dragged something from her back pocket and offered it to Savannah. “This is my number. If you ever need anything, just give me a call.”

Savannah took the card, even though she knew she’d never call the woman. “Thank you.”

Everly leaned in and gave her a hug. “I used to have a guy like him in my life. Things get so much better when they’re gone.”

Tears burned Savannah’s eyes out of nowhere. “That’s what I keep telling myself.”

Everly pulled back with a smile.

“Thanks again,” Savannah said.

When Everly returned to her table in the dining room, Savannah pulled out her phone. Her hands shook when she tried to dial Audrey’s number.

Karen stepped into the hallway, a look of pity filling her round face. “Take the rest of the day, honey. I’ll cover.”

“I’m sorry,” Savannah told her. “Once this is straightened out, he won’t bother me so much.”

“If you th

ink this will ever get straightened out, you’re delusional. That man will never stop fighting. He lives for conflict.” Karen pulled off her food-stained apron while turning back toward the kitchen. “Tell Misty I’ll be right out.”