Smoky Mountain Investigation Read Online Free PDF

I’m hoping to find out.”
    Steven blew out a slow breath, the pain erasing from his face. “Are you helping with the investigation?”
    “Dave Michelson is the detective on the case and I’ve offered my services.”
    A small smile crept across Steven’s face. “Good. Then this killer is toast.”
    “Well, it’s a little early to predict that, but let’s hope so.”
    “Hope so? I know so. With your passion for justice, this guy doesn’t have a chance.”
    Nick swallowed. He knew better than anyone that sometimes that wasn’t enough.

FOUR
    M ax had planted himself in the chair to the right of Kylie’s desk and it looked as though it would take a three-alarm fire to roust him out. If not for the tedious click of the chair as he rocked back and forth, his presence would have been easier to ignore.
    “Big news in a small-town paper. That’s what puts us on the map.”
    “Uh-huh.” Kylie hit the delete key on her computer keyboard again, erasing the last paragraph of her upcoming article. She didn’t need another distraction. Between last night’s murder, Nick’s sudden reappearance and the elevator episode, her mind was already stretched to capacity.
    Max continued to ramble, giving his usual pep talk. “If you put your heart and soul into your work, there may be a Pulitzer at the other end...”
    She just wanted to make it to the end of the day without melting into a mental pile of mush.
    Kylie studied the computer screen. The words blurred together. She needed to get a grip. Focus on what really mattered—writing this article.
    Apparently her mind didn’t agree. At the moment her thoughts revolved around one thing: Nick Bentley.
    A wave of nostalgia wrapped around her. It didn’t help that Nick hadn’t changed one iota in the past ten years...well...with the exception of bulging muscles and close-cropped hair. Still, his dimpled smile and those warm brown eyes sent her heart into a gallop. This completely defied logic, given his rapid departure after their high-school graduation and that she hadn’t had so much as a phone call since.
    Their breakup had been amicable to some degree. They’d both had guilt and sadness to deal with after Conrad’s death. They’d needed space. But she’d always thought...well, always hoped that one day—
    Stop it. Kylie shook herself and started pecking on the keyboard again, trying to untangle her thoughts and write the article. She needed to leave history where it belonged—behind her.
    Nick was home for one reason. And it wasn’t her.
    She gave a little sigh that came out more like a moan. Biting her lip, she glanced at Max. He continued to rock and ramble. Tall and wiry, he looked about as uncomfortable in the chair as she was about him sitting there in it. She started typing again.
    “Now, if the killer calls again, don’t forget your journalistic duties and ask him a few questions.”
    At the word killer, her ears perked up. She spun in her chair and confronted Max. “So if I get another call from this guy, you want me to interview him. Like what? A prize boxer after a fight? Asking him how good it feels to win?”
    Max threw his head back and barked with laughter. “Kylie, girl. You’ve got more wit than I give you credit for.”
    “No, Max. I’m serious. If this man calls again, the conversation will involve his agenda, not mine.”
    Max pushed his thick-rimmed glasses up on his nose. “Well, any clue to his whereabouts, motive or even his next victim is what readers want to know.”
    Readers? Kylie fell back in her chair and covered her face with her hands. “You’re talking about a murderer, Max. A cold-blooded killer. Not some bad-boy sports figure. Let’s pray for a speedy resolution to this murder case and for life to get back to normal.”
    “Until then, keep the story alive and interesting.” Max stood and stretched a little. “Pulitzer, Kylie.” He gave her a pat on the shoulder on his way out of the newsroom.
    Forget the Pulitzer.