Nightingale's Nightmare (Cassadaga Book 4 by Elizabeth Owens Page A

it had a double point.”
    “Possibly a cooking utensil?”
    “I guess it could be. I’m not that familiar with cutlery.”
    “ I think you might have stumbled across something.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Remember your ex-husband? The guy with the knife in his back?”
    “Of course I remember.” Nightingale stared at Bill, wondering where he was going with that comment.
    “You just described the knife we found in his back.” Bill set his glass down on the table. “Black handle with white stars engraved into the butt . That’s what was sticking out of his back. And it had that peculiar double point feature.”
    Nightingale didn’t say anything, digesting what she was hearing. “But I saw it in a black purse. In a closet.”
    “Maybe that’s where it used to be, but it ended up stuck in your ex’s back.”
    “Why would Latisha stick a knife in Brad’s back?” Nightingale was confused.
    “Didn’t she used to work for him?”
    “Oh, yes, she did say that. I forgot.” Nightingale’s eyes were wide as she looked over top of the wine glass. “ But why would she kill Brad? He was that bad of a boss?”
    Bill grinned. “I don’t know, but your impressions could lead us to another avenue of investigation.”
    “To Latisha.” Nightingale made the statement simply.
    “When I go to work tomorrow, I’ll look into Miss Latisha.” Bill picked his wine glass up again. “Why do you think this switch on business started with you?”
    “I don’t know. I had a terrible dream last night. Afterwards, I’m receiving impressions like crazy. It’s bizarre.”
    “Yeah, that’s bizarre , all right.”
    “Too bizarre?”
    “Compared to what? You talk to dead people. That’s bizarre in itself.”
    “Then you don’t think I’m crazy?”
    “You, my redheaded beauty, crazy? Nah, just crazy for me.” His eyes crinkled when he said the words.
    “Yeah, I’m crazy for you,” Nightingale said, feeling relieved. “Crazy as a loon.”
    Bill rolled his head back and laughed.

Eighteen
     
    Zach pulled up in front of Jorie’s house and parked his car. Some people might have called this a date, but Zach felt he was extending friendship to a woman who was recently widowed. He hadn’t been on a date in more years than he could remember. Being that personally close to someone was not appealing. Besides, his baser needs could always be very well satisfied through the appropriate contacts for a stated sum of money. Not that anyone but Chloe knew that little secret about him. Nothing personal, strictly business.
    Jorie met him on the other side of the front door, all cheery and bright eyed.
    “Let me grab my purse,” she said, pulling away from the door, reappearing in seconds.
    Jorie bounced down the stairs to the sidewalk, leading the way to Zach’s car.
    “I’ve been wanting to see this movie ever since I saw the previews on TV,” she said with enthusiasm, jumping into the front seat. “Somehow I missed it the first time through.”
    “I haven’t been to the dollar theatre, but I’ve heard it’s nice.” Zach started the car and headed to DeLand. “We could eat at Gator’s after since it’s right there in the same shopping center.”
    “Ooh, that would be wonderful!” Jorie all but squealed her delight over that suggestion. She cutely looked over at Zach, a smile beaming all over her face.
    Jorie was an attractive woman. She was small in stature and very feminine, with short cropped blonde hair. Not Zach’s type at all. He always ordered up an Asian woman. Ever since being in Viet Nam, he had preferred Asian women, thinking them sensual, feminine and petite pleasure givers.
    “John Travolta is my favorite actor,” Jorie said. “I used to watch him on Welcome Back, Kotter, the TV show .”
    “He’s okay. I like Morgan Freeman and Tom Cruise.”
    “Oh, you like action types.”
    “No, I like good acting.”
    “Who’s your favorite actress?”
    “Hmm, lots. Sally Fields, she’s great.