Page 28 of Dark Shadows
Mason’s expression shifted. “You know about that?”
“This is a small town,” Bill said. “Everyone on shift knows.”
“We don’t know if the two are connected yet,” Mason replied. “But we need to take a look inside.”
Bill stepped aside. “You’ll find who did this, right?”
“We’re on it.” Mason guided Savanah up onto the lawn.
Bill reached for her arm. “If you see her... If she’s in there...”
Savanah’s voice turned cold. “Now you want to believe me?”
A blush spread across Bill’s face.
Mason placed a hand on her back, gently guiding her away. Neither of them said anything at first.
As they neared the porch, he leaned in and lowered his voice. “The blood on the wall was Beverly’s. She was still alive when it started.”
Savanah’s jaw tightened, but she nodded.
Before she could speak, a man in a dark suit stepped out of the open front door. “Spencer. Ms. Miles.”
Savanah leaned in. “I’ve never seen him before.”
Mason nodded. “He’s one of mine, and he’s a charmer. Don’t let him rope you in.”
The agent walked across the lawn toward them. He was tall, with dark hair and bright green eyes that held a spark of mischief.
“Special Agent Jacob Klein, this is Savanah Miles,” Mason said.
Savanah extended her hand. Instead of shaking it, Klein turned her palm over and kissed the top.
“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Miles. I just wish we were meeting under better circumstances. When you move to D.C., I’d be honored to give you a tour.”
“I’m not moving,” she said, blinking at him.
“Klein,” Mason said, dry as dust. “You’re moving faster than sweet tea at a hot summer barbecue.”
“Right,” Klein said, dropping her hand with a grin. “We can circle back to that later. Just so you know, Cree’s rubbing off on you, you’re starting to sound more southern every day.”
“She’d take that as a compliment,” Mason replied. “What do we have?”
Klein pulled out his tablet as Mason handed Savanah a pair of gloves and booties, then slipped on his own.
“The prints we pulled from the first scene came back,” Klein said, tapping the screen to display a 3D rendering. “Size ten men’s boot. Without a suspect’s shoes to compare, it’s just another clue, but it narrows things down.”
“We find the right pair, that detail could blow this case wide open,” Mason said.
Klein snorted. “Don’t hold your breath. I already checked with the local shoe shop. Half the men in town wear that size.”
They signed the log and stepped through the front door.
Klein stood just inside the doorway, motioning toward the wall.
“Looks like someone was glad Savanah came back to town,” he said. “Though I doubt Mrs. Granger would agree.”
Beverly’s body was tied to a dining room chair, thick rope wound tight around her wrists and ankles. Her head had slumped forward, chin resting on her chest. A ceramic bowl sat beneath each of her hands, positioned to catch what spilled from the wounds. Blood darkened the wood beneath the chair, soaked straight through the floor.
