Grave Secrets (Manhunters 1)

“If you want our son in your life every day,” Hank told her, “you’ll move back into our house.”

It took Savannah a few long seconds to find her voice. “You know that’s not going to happen, and you know you can’t take care of Jamison on your own.”

He lifted both hands out to his sides and stepped back, then turned toward his desk, assessing his paperwork dismissively. “We’re done here.”

Savannah left the office feeling the same way she always felt walking away from Hank—disgusted and dirty…but still terrified. Someone outside their relationship might not have considered the “Until death do us part” comment a threat, but Savannah knew that was exactly what it was.

Once she’d exited the station, she pulled her phone from her pocket and saved the recording on her way to the car. She sent one copy to Audrey, one to Misty, and another to her own email.

She stuffed the phone back into her pocket and slid into the car with a muttered “You’re not the only one building a file, asshole.”

5

Savannah guided Jamison’s hands as he slid a cookie sheet into the oven. “Be careful of the racks and the sides.”

He pushed the metal sheet onto the rack, let go, and jumped with excitement, almost knocking his head into Savannah’s. “I did it.”

“You sure did.”

“You’re a star.” Misty held up her hand. “High five, dude.”

He slapped her hand. “Thanks for the recipe, Aunt Misty. Oatmeal chocolate chip is Bailey’s favorite.”

Misty laughed and crouched in front of Jamison, gripping his arms. “She’s going to fall head over heels for you, buddy. Girls love it when you do special things for them.”

He wrinkled his nose. “She’s not my girlfriend. And it’s just a playdate.”

“If you say so.”

“Mommy.” Jamison turned. “Can I bring some to school for my class?”

“You bet.” She anticipated his next question. “And I suppose you’d like to take some out to Deputy Corwin.”

A spark of fear touched Jamison’s eyes, and his smile evaporated. He thought about it for a second, screwed up his face in a torn expression, and said, “Not really.”

Surprised, Savannah said, “No? Why not?”

“He wasn’t very nice to you the other day. And he was really mean to Mr. Ian.”

Misty lifted her brows at Savannah.

“That’s very true.” She ruffled his hair. “Go play until the cookies are done.”

Jamison bounced out of the kitchen toward his room, but stopped before he reached it, calling, “Mom? Can we bring cookies to the new neighbor too?”

“New neighbor?” Savannah and Misty said in unison, meeting each other’s gaze.

They met Jamison at the picture window, where he looked at an old beater of a truck sitting in the driveway reserved for the tenant next door.

“When did that show up?” Misty asked. “It wasn’t there when I got here, was it?”

“No.” Savannah put her hands on Jamison’s shoulders and steered him toward his room. “Let’s see how many cookies we have before we go promising them all away.”

With Jamison settled on his floor, deep in a fantasy scenario starring his Star Wars action figures, Savannah pulled the door almost closed and returned to Misty’s side. The storm had passed through over the last two days, dumping record-setting snowfall. But the day broke with clear blue skies and sunlight sparkling off the fresh snow like pixy dust. Savannah used to love this time of year. Now, she hated everything about Hazard.

Okay, everything but seeing Ian in the diner every morning. He’d become her reason to smile over the last few days.

“Have you seen anyone yet?” she asked. “Maybe it’s just a maintenance guy.”