news isn’t good,” Maleah told her.
Lorie’s heartbeat went wild. “The letters … the death threats … they aren’t a hoax, are they?”
“I’m afraid not,” Maleah replied. “It seems that, more than likely, whoever sent you those letters has already killed two other people.”
Chapter 5
“I want to assure you that the sheriff’s department will cooperate fully with the Powell Agency and do everything we possibly can to keep you safe,” Mike Birkett said, his voice calm and even, showing absolutely no emotion.
“We have every reason to believe that you’re in danger,” Maleah said. “It’s imperative, now more than ever, for you to be extremely careful. I’m suggesting that you stay with me at Jack and Cathy’s, at least until they return from their honeymoon.”
“You think I need a bodyguard?”
“I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry.”
“What led you to the conclusion that the person who is threatening me has already killed twice?”
“It seems that the brother of one victim and the husband of another have hired the Powell Agency to investigate their loved ones’ deaths. When Sanders—who is Griffin Powell’s assistant—discovered the similarity in the two murders, it was not a giant leap to connect them. And only today, the husband discovered two letters that his wife had kept hidden. The wording in those letters is identical to the wording in your letter,” Maleah explained. “And it really wasn’t a surprise to find out that the victims knew each other and they had worked together years ago.”
Lorie’s mind whirled with thoughts of how she might be connected to the other victims. Focusing her attention on Maleah, she ignored Mike completely. He was here only because he had to be, because he was the sheriff. She didn’t kid herself, didn’t for one minute think he gave a damn if she lived or died.
“Who were these people?” Lorie asked.
“The woman was Tagg Chambless’s wife,” Maleah said. “Hilary Chambless. She was the second victim.”
The name didn’t sound familiar to Lorie. “I don’t know a Hilary Chambless.”
Maleah nodded. “The first victim, at least as far as we know, was a guy named Dean Wilson.”
Lorie gasped. Her stomach flip-flopped. “Dean Wilson? In his late forties? Lived in LA? Was originally from Tennessee? That Dean Wilson?”
“Yeah, that seems to fit the info his brother gave Sanders. You knew him, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” Her gaze zipped toward Mike. “I knew Dean Wilson. We were … uh … friends when I lived in LA. How …? Why …?”
“He was shot several times,” Maleah said.
“Poor Dean.” Years ago, she had loved him.
Mike looked at her, studied her face, and for a split second, she saw genuine concern in his eyes. But he glanced away hurriedly, as if he couldn’t bear to look at her. Why did he have to act this way? Even if they could never be friends again, did he have to go on hating her forever?
“But you say you didn’t know Hilary Chambless. Is that right?” Maleah asked.
“No, I didn’t—Oh my God! Was her maiden name Finch?”
“That’s right. And she had a stage name, too. Dewey Flowers.”
Lorie wished that Mike wasn’t here, that he was not involved in this, that she didn’t have to talk about her sordid past in front of him. But what did it matter really? It wasn’t as if her past was a secret. He knew what she had done, who she had been, how she had lived those last few years in California.
“I knew Dean and Hilary,” Lorie admitted. “Hilary was just an acquaintance. Dean and I were …” She cleared her throat. “We lived together for a while.”
“Then you know they made several porno movies together,” Maleah said.
“Yes, of course I know. I told you that I had a bit part in one of those movies.” Lorie glared at Mike, who lifted his gaze from the floor and glared at her.
“When was the last time you saw either of them?” Mike asked.
“Not since I left LA and came home to Dunmore.”
“Heard from either of them since then?”
“No.”
“You’ve had no communication of any kind with either of them?” Maleah asked.
“None.”
“Do you know of anyone from the time y’all worked together who might have wanted to kill them?”
“No. I have absolutely no idea why anyone would want to kill either of them or kill me. And my only connection to either of them is in the past, nearly ten years ago.”
“I figured you’d have no idea who the killer might be,” Maleah said. “It could be something as crazy as an unbalanced fan who for some reason has decided to kill the actors from his favorite films.”
“Great. I had a bit a part in one adult movie ten years ago and now I’m targeted by some nut job who happened to like that stupid movie.”
“Karma’s a bitch,” Mike said, his voice a low grumble.
Lorie and Maleah snapped around and stared at him.
“That was a damn cruel thing to say,” Maleah told him.
A red tinge crept up Mike’s neck and quickly darkened his face. “You’re right.” He looked at Lorie. “I shouldn’t have said what I did.”
“No, you shouldn’t have,” she said.
He snorted and then looked at Maleah. “I’ll have a patrol car drive by Jack and Cathy’s every hour once Lorie’s staying with you and by Treasures when Lorie’s at work. If I had the manpower, I’d assign someone to her, but she’s got you so she really won’t need police protection on a twenty-four/seven basis.”
“Thanks.” Maleah grabbed Mike’s arm. “Let me walk you out, Sheriff.” She shot Lorie a quick glance. “I’ll be right back. Why don’t you go pack a bag?”
Lorie hated the thought of being forced to leave her home. But what if the person who had killed Dean and Hilary really did intend to kill her? Her best chance of survival could well be having Maleah Perdue as her bodyguard.
Maleah gave Mike a well-deserved tongue-lashing, reminding him that his actions toward Lorie Hammonds were completely unprofessional and most decidedly uncalled for.
“I don’t believe you’re naturally a cruel or vindictive man,” she said. “But you’ve treated Lorie as if she doesn’t deserve even common courtesy. If I didn’t know better, I’d think
