Christmas Cover-Up by Lynette Eason

“let me know.”
    “Count on it.”
    Katie walked beside Jordan as they headed down the steps and toward the exit. “Will you take me to pick up my car?”
    “Now?”
    “Yes. I prefer to have it.”
    “You sure you’re feeling all right? You just got out of the hospital. You were shot, remember?”
    She shot him a sardonic look. “Really? And besides, it was just a graze.”
    He gave a short laugh and said, “Sure.”
    In Jordan’s car, as they headed back to the hotel, Katie’s phone buzzed. “Hi, Erica.”
    “Hey, how are you feeling?”
    “I’ve felt better, but I’m doing all right.”
    “Max and I want you and Jordan to come to dinner tonight. Do you think you can make it?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t think that’s very safe for you.”
    “It will be if you just make sure you’re not followed.”
    Katie sighed. “You know I can’t guarantee that.”
    “You don’t want to stay here—I get that. But I think coming to eat will be fine.”
    Uneasiness twisted Katie’s stomach into a knot. She probably should say no, but she hadn’t seen Erica in a while and would love to spend time with her and Molly. But Erica wasn’t finished. “I want to discuss your case, anyway. Might as well do it here as at the office.”
    “We’re on our way to talk to a witness from the wreck.”
    “Then come after. It’s all right if it’s late. I’ll get Molly settled with her favorite movie so we can talk uninterrupted.”
    Katie caved. “All right, then, let me ask Jordan.” He glanced at her and she relayed the invitation. He nodded. “We’ll be there,” Katie said. “I’ll call you when I’m on the way.”
    “Great. See you when you get here.”
    Katie gnawed on her lower lip. When a warm finger reached over to pull it from the clench of her upper front teeth, shivers ran through her. Jordan glanced at the traffic light then back to her. “You’re going to chew right through it if you’re not careful.”
    She swallowed hard and then gathered her wits as he pulled into the hotel parking lot. She grabbed her keys and said, “I’ll meet you there.”
    “Watch your back.”
    “I always do.”
    Ten minutes later, she pulled behind Jordan to the curb of Bobby Young’s house. As far as she could tell, no one had followed.
    The clock pushed toward two o’clock. She climbed from the car and looked around. Jordan approached and she asked, “I didn’t see anyone following, did you?”
    “Not a soul.”
    “That almost makes me nervous.”
    “I understand that completely.”
    Mr. Young’s neighborhood was on a cul-de-sac with five other houses. Large lots and a lot of trees gave it a feeling of privacy and community at the same time. Katie nodded. “Nice place.”
    “Very.”
    Jordan walked up the steps to the porch of the traditional ranch and rang the bell. Katie kept an eye on the area around them. Right now, she didn’t like being too exposed. The middle of her back between her shoulders itched.
    No one answered the door.
    “Not answering his phone, not answering the door. How old is he?” Katie asked.
    “Sixty-four.”
    “He could be working or retired. Do we know?”
    “I have his statement on my phone. Let me see if that information came up. Hold on a second.” He pressed a few buttons. “Retired.”
    “Retired usually means not at work, but never at home if the retiree is in good health and active.” She pointed to the flag hanging from the porch. “A golfer’s flag. Might be on the course. We have another number for him?”
    “Nope. That’s his cell phone. He doesn’t have a landline.”
    Katie pursed her lips and walked to the garage. The double door was closed, but had four windows at the top. “I’m too short to see in. Wanna take a look?”
    Jordan obliged. “A single car parked on the right side closest to the entry to the house. It’s not the car from the wreck. Can’t see the tags, but I’m willing to bet it’s a rental.”
    “Then if his car is in the