Dead by Midnight - Beverly Barton [131]
“I know.” He looked at her with sympathy and understanding.
She tried to smile; the effort failed. “So many people have died. People I knew, people who were a part of my life years ago. Dean and Hilary and Charlie and Shontee, all murdered. And poor Charlene. And now to find out that Sonny died half a world away in some senseless bar fight.” Her lips curved upward in an almost smile. “And knowing Sonny, the fight was probably over some woman.”
Nodding, keeping his gaze connected with hers, Mike remained silent.
“You don’t want to listen to me talking about the people I knew out in LA, especially the ones I got to know while making Midnight Masquerade. You probably think of them as the scum of the earth, but…they were real people, people who had hopes and dreams, people who did not deserve…” Lorie bit down on her bottom lip in an effort to control the tears threatening to overflow.
“Talk about whoever you want to talk about,” he told her. “Do whatever helps, whatever makes you feel better.”
“I’m not sure anything can make me feel better. It’s as if I’m trapped in a never-ending nightmare.”
“There will be an end to it, I promise you.”
“Yes, I’m sure there will be, but will I still be alive to see it?”
“Don’t say that. Don’t even think it.” He moved in on her, mere inches separating their bodies, and glared straight into her startled eyes.
“You’re right. I have to think only positive thoughts.”
She also had to put some distance between them. If she didn’t, she couldn’t be held responsible for what she might do. She wanted Mike so desperately, needed him so completely. She tromped across the living room and looked out the window. “Do y’all still believe that Shelley’s death had nothing to do with the Midnight Killer’s murder spree?”
Mike walked across the room and stood beside her. “Shelley’s murder doesn’t fit his MO. That’s all we know. Powell’s and the FBI are looking into old Powell cases that Shelley worked on hoping to find a link.”
“What are the odds that a bodyguard on an assignment to protect a client from a serial killer would end up murdered by another killer?”
“Yeah, I know. It sounds implausible, doesn’t it?”
Suddenly Lorie noticed an older model Buick turn off the road in front of her house and roll to a stop in her driveway. “Is that your mother’s car?”
“Yeah, it is. I wonder what she’s doing here.”
Mike and Lorie watched while Nell Birkett emerged from the Park Avenue along with Hannah and M.J. The children ran ahead of their grandmother, straight toward the porch.
“Why the hell did she bring the kids here?” Mike grumbled under his breath as he headed for the front door.
By the time he unlocked and opened the door, he came face-to-face with his kids. Lana Ladner, the deputy on guard duty this evening, hadn’t stopped his mother and children; instead, she had escorted them to the door.
Hannah hurled herself at her father. He swept her up into a bear hug and then set her on her feet. M.J. grinned broadly, evidently glad to see Mike.
“Hi, Miss Lorie,” M.J. said.
Hannah went from her father to Lorie and grabbed Lorie’s hand.
“What are y’all doing here?” Mike looked squarely at his mother.
“We’re here for supper,” Nell replied. “The children miss you and they asked if we could pay y’all a visit.”
“You should have called first,” Mike said.
“Never thought of that,” she replied, a sly grin on her face.
“I’m afraid we were going to have sandwiches for supper,” Lorie said. “But I can thaw out some chicken and—”
“Don’t bother,” Nell said. “I brought supper. Mike, go out to the car and bring in the picnic basket. It’s on the backseat.”
“I’ll help you, Dad,” M.J. said.
“Why don’t you and Hannah both go help your father,” Nell suggested.
Mike frowned at his mother, but did as she had asked. When Mike and the kids were out of earshot, Nell smiled at Lorie.
“How are you?” Nell asked.
“I’m okay.”
“Is my son treating you well?”
“Mike’s been very good to me.”
Nell sighed. “Well, it’s about time. That boy of mine is every bit as stubborn